Do you want to take your career to the next level? If you’re ready to move on, now’s the time to evaluate where you are and where you want to go. There are habits, behaviors, and principles that can lead you to career advancement.

Here are some things you can do right now to advance your career.

Define Success for You

The first step is to know what success is for you. For some people, it’s about climbing the corporate ladder to reach higher leadership positions. For others, it’s about knowing what to expect every day, doing good work, and leaving your job at the office when you go home. There is no right answer, but you don’t have to force yourself to do something that doesn’t suit you.

Develop and Follow a Plan

If you want to advance your career, make a plan for the next steps. Know what you need to do on your end to achieve your goals. For instance, you may need to fill in some skills gaps, so determine how you can do that. You may be able to learn on your own through online classes or independent study. Or you may want to approach your supervisor about the ability to learn on the job.

Surround Yourself with Successful People

The company you keep is a reflection of yourself and your potential. If you surround yourself with people who push themselves to achieve their goals, you’re more likely to do the same. Look for colleagues or coworkers who have a positive attitude and are going after their own goals so you can gain some insight from their experience.

Find a Mentor

There are also significant benefits to finding a mentor for your career. Mentors are people who have been where you are and found a way to take their careers to the next level. They can help provide information on how they achieve their goals, give you additional connections, and be available to answer questions along the way.

Network

Getting out to meet more people in your industry can also give you more opportunities for career growth. Networking at industry events or even online through platforms like LinkedIn can help you make the right connections for your future. You never know where you might find your next career move, and networking can give you an edge.

Learn New Skills

If you want to advance your career, always look for ways to improve your skills. This could be your soft skills like communication, time management, or organization. It could also be hard skills such as learning to code, increasing your software knowledge, or going back to school to pursue an advanced degree.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Talk to the team at Nextaff to see what we’re working on today.