The market is ripe for rising through the ranks. In this article for Body and Soul, Michelle explains why now is the time to make your move.
Whether you title it the ‘Great Resignation’ or ‘Great Reshuffle’, what’s consistent is that there is much movement in the labour market at the moment.
So, while other people are moving on, now could be your perfect time to move up.
Here’s 5 ways to do it:
1. Leverage your advantage
Employers don’t want to lose good talent, and bosses know hiring new people takes time and money. Estimates are that it can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $21,000 to hire someone new.
Therein lies the opportunity for you. Firstly, find out about the changes that are taking place at work to spot opportunities for internal promotion.
Look for a role that requires skills and experiences similar to what you have, and approach the hiring manager. Alternatively, you may be able to expand your current position in a way that opens up the door to a promotion. In both situations, this requires proactivity.
Research shows there are correlations between proactive personality types and career success.
A proactive personality tends to change their environment, not be constrained by situational forces, will seek new opportunities, and show initiative.
2. Enlist your network
If the opportunities internally are limited, then it’s time to look externally, and this is where your network is crucial.
Many jobs are unadvertised, so networking is crucial not just to land a promotion but to help you identify available roles.
Also, meeting new people helps broaden your perspective on what’s possible, how things are changing, and what new opportunities are available.
3. Know your value
Everyone brings specific skills and ways of operating to the work they do. You can characterise this as your unique selling proposition. It’s the value you deliver through the work you do, and it’s what makes you stand out.
Being able to articulate that value and how you can contribute more to the organisation and team’s success is critical. These details are crucial in helping you sell your benefit.
Next, you will want to have evidence to back up your claims.
4. Gather the evidence
Look back through your work and consider the times you have contributed and excelled in your role so you can compile examples.
Your evidence may be a portfolio, which showcases your work. It could include a record of awards and achievements you have received, along with testimonials and endorsements from clients, team members or former bosses.
If you don’t have these to hand, it’s not too late to get some. Simply contact former colleagues or bosses and ask them if they’d be happy to write one for you.
5. Back yourself
I have left the hardest to last. Don’t undersell yourself, and don’t oversell yourself – it’s a balance.
You want to sell the work you do and what you’ve achieved. But if you want to have a good reputation, don’t claim credit for work that isn’t yours.
If you are interested in progressing and moving into different roles, make sure the relevant people know this. This approach, however, only works if you are prepared to build relationships and, most importantly, do your current job well.