Everyone has big dreams and goals of moving up the corporate ladder. However, only those who are currently working know how difficult a task this can be. It is relatively common to see people stuck in the same job for decades at a time. The business environment is extremely competitive and cut-throat.
One of the worst things you can do in your career is to stagnate. Not only is stagnation a blow to your self-esteem, but it can impede you from wanting to work at all. Employee demotivation is a real thing and can lead to depression. Moreover, stagnating in the workplace means you miss out on career opportunities that can potentially change your life for the better.
Though it is easier said than done, avoiding career stagnation should be of paramount importance. It would be best to get yourself out of the rut you are stuck in as soon as possible.
How do you grow in your career? One of the primary ways is to influence your employer as best you can. Here are six ways to persuade your employer for career growth.
Study alongside your job
One of the most attractive qualities in an employee Is dedication and motivation to make themselves better in any way they can. An employer is likely to see this as a valuable trait and increase your responsibilities on the job. Greater responsibilities are a step in the right direction for professional growth.
Consider pursuing your education alongside your job. Millions of people forgo their education to take up appointments so that they can make ends meet. The majority of them never get to pursue their education again and remain stuck in these jobs for a considerable amount of time. With modern technology at our disposal, online education has given full-time employees the chance to study and work simultaneously.
Moreover, some of these courses don’t even require pre-requisite tests such as an SAT or GMAT score. An aacsb online mba no gmat might be the perfect thing for business employees to attain an education and enhance their skill set while working. Showing your boss that you are pursuing your education while still doing a great job at work sets an amazingly positive impression in your favor.
Support to those around you
If you see someone in the office who is having a hard time coping, consider helping them out and sharing some of their burdens. Not only does this help out coworkers who are having a hard time managing workloads, but it also shows that you are willing to go above and beyond to meet business objectives.
Being a team player and helping others out might set an incredibly positive impression on your boss. It set’s the perfect stage to show that you are ready for senior managerial ad leadership roles. Your employer always wants to see someone who works well with others and can perform in a group. You show them that you possess these qualities and that you are working to improve the company.
Work overtime, even when you don’t need to
One of the best ways to show your dedication to your work is to sit and work when your boss leaves the office. The boss is often the last to go after the rest of the employees call it a day.
To set a great impression that you are willing to put in the extra effort, consider sticking around later and finishing off pending tasks you might be behind on. Even if they can wait, do them anyway so that your employer sees you staying back late and working hard. Doing so will create the impression that you are a hard worker who is willing to get the job done no matter how long it takes.
Adopt extrovertive traits
Not everyone in this world is an extrovert, which is ok! However, there comes a time when we need to flex our social muscles and get the job done. If you aren’t naturally an extrovert, that’s fine, not everyone is, but extroverts have certain desirable qualities that your employers would appreciate.
An extravert shows the social skills which an employer would be looking for in the business environment. If you don’t naturally have extrovertive traits, it would be best to learn some. Either through the internet or online courses. Though it may feel uncomfortable at first, learning these traits could do wonders for your career and personal life. A worker with good social skills is likely to communicate better with the customers and other team members to get the job done and work better in the business setting.
Avoid dirty office politics
Every office has its fair share of drama. Employers HATE office politics and try to stay clear of it as much as they can. And if they do enjoy it, it’s time for you to find a better employer!
Anyway, one of the best ways to stand out from the crowd is to show your employers that you have nothing to do with office chatter. It would be best to maintain a healthy distance from the gossip, even if it is about you. Doing so will indicate that you are focused on what is important than random talk that is unproductive. Set yourself apart from the crowd and watch how your employers notice you.
Enlighten your bosses on your plans for the future
Future career plans are somewhat personal details that people don’t talk about with other people. However, in some cases, it might be beneficial for you to disclose some of your plans to a select group of people, i.e., your employers. It may feel slightly uncomfortable to do so, but it might just prove to be a wise decision.
Suppose you tell your bosses about your future career goals. In that case, it leaves an impression that you are motivated to grow in your career and won’t settle for mediocrity. Moreover, you telling them about your plans might make them realize that they would play a direct role in your career development. A good employer would hear you out and do whatever they can for your career.
Conclusion
In no way are these tips a sure shot to grow in your career. Instead, they are merely factors you can consider to improve your employers’ chances of favoring you for potential promotions. It would be best to combine these with other factors that you think might work best for you.
If you feel like you are stagnating and, despite your best efforts, don’t see any chance to grow, please stay focused and try a new strategy. Trying and failing Is better than giving up and not standing a chance at all!
