The 5 Laws for Advancing Your Career

When we think about career advancement, we commonly associate it with an upward progression. We set our sights on a new promotion, obtaining a raise, or receiving more in the way of benefits. In order to achieve this, we must either expand our value or move to a career field that best suits our aspirations. Carving out a clear path on how to reach these career goals often eludes us. By utilizing these 5 laws for advancing your career, you can put yourself on the right path towards self-growth and greater career satisfaction.

One: Upskill Yourself – Increase Your Worth.

When you choose to acquire new skills and upgrade the ones you have already attained from your education and work experience, you are “upskilling” yourself. In other words, you are increasing your worth by investing in skills and qualifications. How does upskilling advance your career?

• It increases employment prospects. The major benefit of learning and taking on new skills is that it improves your employability. This diversity gives you bargaining power. It also allows you to go after more accessible and variable work, and allows you to explore new employment opportunities.
• It keeps you from becoming redundant. If you have been in the workforce for any length of time, you have probably heard, seen, or been a part of turnover rates. When you have the enthusiasm to go after new skills, you prove that you are willing to learn and take initiative. It keeps your knowledge fresh and it prevents you from becoming a burden on your current employer.
• It allows you to discover new passions. You may discover new passions that you never knew you had – opening you up to new opportunities and challenges.
• It makes you extremely valuable. When you accumulate a wide skill set, you become more attainable to employers. If you are seeking to change your career or receive a promotion, you are more likely to get it if you are future-proof.
• It allows you to network. By improving your skills, you may meet like-minded individuals that inspire you to aim higher. It also allows you to network with them and create valuable contacts.

Upskilling can be in the form of both qualifications and short courses that offer you the opportunity to develop skills in key areas. Knowing how to properly manage your meetings, time and knowledge can be equally as beneficial to your career as a qualification. Both offer you the boost you need to land your dream job.

Two: Learn to Say No.

It can be very difficult to say no to others. We want to be well-liked and want to be team players, but when you say yes to every opportunity that passes, you can end up being overwhelmed. This can cause you to miss deadlines or forget important details. By learning to say no to commitments that do not move you towards your final goal, you do away with distractions and remain purposeful in your actions.

Three: The Importance of Relationships and How to Build Them. 

Building positive relationships with your team members, clients, customers, and management is critical for career advancement. Relationships directly impact your satisfaction with your career path, your ability to gain recognition, and your ability to advance. A few ways to build these relations include sharing more of yourself at meetings, providing positive and high-quality feedback about others, showing your appreciation and initiating conversations by asking questions.

Four: Learn Your Shortcomings and Seek Out Feedback.

Everyone has professional weaknesses whether you are aware of them or not. When you learn about your shortcomings, you are allowed to grow in these areas – opening new ways to find success. When weaknesses crop up, seek out feedback. Find ways to address your weaknesses instead of allowing them to become uncomfortable conversations in the future.

Five: Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Out Opportunities.

Do not be afraid to seek out opportunities that are not a direct upward movement. Creating lateral moves in your position can help you diversify your experience, provide you with on-the-job learning, and helps get you noticed for being adaptable. When the position you seek is out of reach, look at other opportunities that will bring you closer.

We offer a variety of courses ranging from full-on qualifications to short courses that are essential to advancing your career. Visit our courses page to find the one that is right for you.