How to Take Your Career up a Notch or two

Careers are funny things. Sometimes, nothing happens for years. And then weeks come along when everything seems to change in an instant. I remember when I got my job as Head of Department at a school I worked at. The way things happened was that I got a job that I hadn’t even applied for! I enjoyed the role for some years until someone else became my supervisor. It was someone who didn’t have a clue really. More on that here in this post.

Ideally, you want to be the one in control of this process, not your employer or the economy. But how do you take your career up a notch without putting the whole enterprise at risk? Let’s take a look.

Get The Proper Accreditation

There are all sorts of industries in which you can do odd jobs here and there without accreditation and still make good money. But if you really want to expand your horizons, you’ll need to get certified.

If you’re in the trades, construction, or working as a contractor, you can read up on how to get accreditation in this Contractors License guide. If you’re in finance, you might want to become a chartered accountant or actuary. Or if you’re in the medical sector, you’ll need to investigate which qualifications you need to move to the next pay grade.

Don’t be afraid of moving up in the world. Senior positions might seem scary, but most people can get to grips with them, so long as they have the right experience.

It’s always good to see young people moving up the career ladder. But you shouldn’t just stand by and watch them. You should also try to climb up the ladder too.

Start Acting With Authority

Acting with authority doesn’t mean that you need to start lording it over the people around you. It just means behaving in a way that shows that you’re in control of the situation and other people can trust you.

When you start behaving like this, you’ll naturally find that people begin to accept you as a leader. And once that happens, it becomes almost inevitable that you’ll move on to a managerial position or higher. Just make sure that you get the accreditation to go with it.

Focus On Where You Can Add Value

Many employees focus on the quality of their work instead of whether they’re offering the people around them genuine value. Managers can hire efficient staff all day long. But rarely will they get lucky and employ somebody who makes their lives easier. If you can be the person who makes your boss’s life a breeze, they’ll immediately put you forward for promotion or recommendation.

Always keep your eyes open for opportunities to assist. Do things in the background and then come forward with solutions when more senior people in your organization need them. Don’t be afraid to play the long game, waiting for the opportune moment to allow your brilliance to shine.

Always give more than the bare minimum.

Switch Firms

Here’s a pro tip for taking your career up a notch: try switching to a new firm. Moving companies is sometimes a little scary. But it can dramatically improve your paycheck because the firm that wants to hire you is facing scarcity. Usually, they have to pay high wages to attract quality workers already employed elsewhere.

I remember that I got paid so much more when I left my job of many years to get a job in a different school. Sometimes it’s scary to make a change but the big wide world is out there waiting for you.

Statistics show that when people switch firms, they make more money than if they remain loyal. That’s because, unfortunately, loyalty doesn’t pay in economics. Only disloyalty.

So there you have it: some of the powerful ways you can take your career up a notch or two. Which of these cunning strategies are you going to apply in your life? Do let us know in the comments below.