Everyone wants to advance in their careers, but how can you make the most of the opportunities offered to you by your current and prospective employers to realise your potential? There are times when ascending the career ladder is straightforward and the route is obvious but for most people, career journeys will include back steps and side steps to reach their ultimate goal.

Planning is crucial for career progression

Your professional choices should always be guided by a plan that is both ambitious and achievable. Make a career plan that includes a strategy for the next five years, detailing what you want to achieve as well as the information, experiences, and connections required to get there.

Make sure that it is adaptable (we all know that life doesn’t go to plan!), since its success rests on your ability to capitalise on opportunities as they arise, even if they are unexpected.

Be the advantage

Whatever stage you are at in your career, make the most of it by doing the following:

• Regularly fulfil and exceed role expectations
• Actively collaborate and assist colleagues with their jobs
• Look for opportunities to further your skills and learn new processes
• Embrace change and look for opportunities to add value to your team and the organisation as a whole
• Participate in company-wide initiatives and working groups
• Act as an advocate for the business, sharing knowledge internally and externally and promoting positivity
• Take constructive criticism on board and be able to follow direction

Being an asset in every role may help you learn and be happier at work. It keeps you open to opportunities, whether they are provided to all employees or as a reward for your efforts.

Go extra-curricular

Sometimes you need to look outside of your role to upskill. Find an external mentor, attend external training or seminars, join networks, and stay across current market trends and difficulties impacting your role and area. Being proactive and accepting opportunities means exploring for career progress outside of your employer. It broadens your knowledge and experiences, allowing you to develop new skills.

The rewards

Your attempts to advance your career will not go ignored! Expect great references, positive feedback, a great reputation, and overall, better job satisfaction.

There is always something that can be done to advance one’s career, regardless of function, degree of seniority, or industry.

Job seeker tips from Johnson Recruitment

Johnson Recruitment is an independent recruitment and consulting firm specialising in the Community Services, Social Purpose, Health and Medical sectors, as well as in the recruitment of Practice Managers and support staff, across all sectors. Contact us on 03 9946 7320 or info@johnsonrecruitment.com.au to learn more about how we can assist you with a vacancy or new role today. Follow our LinkedIn and Facebook pages for more information and to keep up to date with the latest jobs, events and career advice.