Monday, 4 June 2018

To Take Before Your Move To Next Career Level

By Virginia Foster


Even the most ambitious, goal oriented women hit plateaus in their careers. Some attribute this to the glass ceiling and gender bias. There is a lot of truth to this, but there are some ways you can increase your chances of reaching your business goals that will bypass these hurdles. If you aren't sure how to move to next career level, experts have some good advice and can provide some strategic steps to take on your way up the ladder.

There is no point in flying off in all directions and taking anything offered to you. What you need is a concrete goal and a targeted plan to achieve it. For instance, you may already be in a position of authority with a staff that you manage, but have a goal of getting into international business. Another woman might have international connections but aspire to a position with more authority and staff. The goals, and the ways to achieve them, will be totally different for these two individuals.

You need to be careful about who you confide in. Your boss may be really supportive of your dreams and ready to help you with introductions and extra responsibilities. It is just as likely that this person will see your ambitions as a threat or as an indication that you're in your current position only temporarily.

You have to be sure you are ready for the next professional step. In order to get ready, you might volunteer for projects that coincide with the kind of experience you will eventually need. Taking night classes at a local college to learn new skills, or reinforce the ones you already have, might be appropriate.

When you step up the ladder, you have to be able to discuss business with executives and others whose sphere you want to share. In order to do this successfully you must have an executive presence. This might be a matter of accessing your communication skills and finding ways to improve them. Recording yourself is one way to determine if you are speaking in an assertive manner, enunciating clearly, and avoiding bad verbal habits.

When your goal is to become a corporate executive, you will need the help of someone who has already achieved that status. Finding a sponsor willing to introduce you to the people you need to know and help you with career opportunities may not be easy. In order to gain the attention of this person, you might have to introduce yourself.

You might get so focused on your ambitions you think they are obvious to everyone else. This is almost never true. If you want people to give you opportunities, you have to let them know you are eager to accept them. Sitting back and waiting for the opportunities to fall in your lap is a bad plan.

Women who are serious about their careers have to make choices. Creating a game plan is the best way to realize your goals. It will take perseverance, strategic thinking, the guidance of a sponsor, and a little luck.




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