Take Your Career to the Next Level With These Steps

Transitioning from an entry-level job to making a long-term commitment to your current profession is a big step. Jump start your career and reach the next level with these steps to help you move forward faster and with the maximum benefits.

Solve Problems

Have a proactive and helpful stance when a problem hits your team. When this happens, you have an opportunity to showcase your critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills. All of these soft skills can help your career take off because someone relies on your skills to solve the dilemma. Your supervisor remembers what you did and gives you a glowing reference for your efforts as you help the team succeed.

Assist Others

Teamwork means getting along with others, but more importantly, it's also helping others achieve their goals. If your boss succeeds, the entire team wins, and you also look good in the eyes of others. Your supervisor can recommend you for a bonus or put you in touch with your next opportunity for advancement because he appreciates your efforts. Your colleagues on the team may reach out to help you later on because you showed them in-kind assistance. When your teammates remember you, they could turn into a viable network connection later in your career as you reach for your professional goals.

Understand Company Goals

Understand the strategic goals of your company and recognize that the daily tasks you undertake are part of a bigger picture. Staying ahead of the game lets you plan for quarterly reports, more clients and more responsibilities because you demonstrated vision. Visionary employees turn into managers and even executives, because once your manager discovers you're one of the more conscientious staffers on the team, he'll help you develop that into a leadership role.

Attend Classes

Formalize your career advancement by taking relevant classes. There are plenty of free classes online, and you receive proof of completion at the end of the course. Consider coding classes, leadership seminars or even psychology classes to get better insights into your teammates. You can also update your skills by taking some professional development courses or training supplied by your company. Completing courses elevates your respect and trust level within your team.

Build Trustworthiness

Your boss needs to trust you to accomplish your daily tasks thoroughly and completely, and you build trust by keeping your word and fulfilling your obligations on a daily basis. Building trust leads to good reviews and a recommendation for a promotion as you advance your career. When your teammates trust you, they make your job easier when you take on extra responsibilities or learn a new task.

Continue to Learn

Always learn at all times, especially when you make mistakes. Own your mistakes and be upfront and honest about them. The key here is to offer a solution to your supervisor to alleviate the problem. Learning from your mistakes helps you change your behavior for the better and leads to better decision-making the next time a problem presents itself.

Your career is whatever you make it, so make it a good one. Take these six steps to heart and land on the next level in your professional life. Build on this success and keep moving forward using these principles over and over again.

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