How To Advance at Your Job


Even during a recession, having work goals is important. While some may think that now is not the time to chase new opportunities or put more effort into their job, the reality is that now is as good a time as any to put in the effort to advance yourself. This can be true whether you do it by finding a new job, or taking steps to advance at the one that you have. If you are looking to climb the ladder at your workplace and truly stand out, here are some things you can start doing to improve your career trajectory today.

Ask for a Raise

While some may feel odd about asking for a raise, sometimes the simplest way to get a better wage is simply to ask for it. It should be kept in mind that you need to approach this subject carefully, and that it can be beneficial to have some negotiations trainingOpens in a new tab. beforehand, but in many cases the best way to improve your income is to ask for a better one.

Along with some ideas about how to negotiate, you should also make sure that you have been demonstrating yourself to be a valuable employee within the last few months in particular, and be ready to rattle off some examples of how you have gone above and beyond for your company when they are ready to talk to you about your wage. The more that you can show that you are truly an asset to your company, the more likely they are to want to give you a raise to keep you around.

Be On Time

One of the ways that you can show your company how valuable you are is by being on time, and by being punctual when it comes to any requests they make of you. Showing up on time and being reliable may seem like an obvious requirement, but the reality is that not everyone does these things. When you make a clear effort to always be on time and to do the tasks that are required of you in a timely manner, it will show that you are comfortable with the amount of responsibilities that you currently have and are in a good place to take on more.

Put In the Effort

Along with being punctual, not being scared to go the extra mile and put in real effort is something else that will help you stand out. In many companies, there are often a lot of employees that will do the bare minimum to keep their job, or who will do what is asked of them but never anything beyond that. While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with simply doing what is required of you, it isn’t a good way to stand out or get ahead at your job. When you put in extra effort, it shows your employer that you take your job seriously and that you care about the outcomes. It also demonstrates that you can handle your workload, and that you could in fact handle a higher workload, too.

Talk About Your Goals

Advancing at your job will require you to display a good work ethic, but beyond that, it is also important for you to talk about your goals and what you ultimately want from your job as well. The more familiar that your bosses and management are with what you care about and what you want to achieve, the more likely they are to want to help you reach those goals. Not only that, but when you have goals that can also be beneficial to the company as well, your higher ups will be much more likely to view you as a valuable asset for the company.

Take Advantage of Opportunities

While you are making your goals and plans known, you also need to take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. One of the best ways to show that you deserve and can handle big opportunities is by taking advantage of the smaller ones as they come up. Additionally, being ready to take advantage of new opportunities that come up even if you weren’t expecting them or don’t feel fully prepared for them shows that you are willing to try your best no matter the situation. A willingness to think on your feet and pitch in can show that you have the potential to grow and aren’t scared of situations that others may not be able to handle.

Stay Healthy

When you want to get ahead at your job, it is necessary to put in the extra work. However, you need to make sure that you are still taking care of yourself as well. No matter how much effort you put in, it can be hard to do your best work if you don’t feel well and you aren’t looking after your healthOpens in a new tab.. Additionally, if you have to wear yourself thin to put in the extra effort at work, then that level of effort may not be sustainable or healthy for you. By taking time to put your health first, you can help ensure that you are rested and able to function the way that you need to to put in the extra work to get ahead.

Learn To Manage Conflict Effectively

When you are trying to advance at your job, the difficulties you will have to deal with won’t just be about the work that you do or difficult projects. There will also often be a lot of work politics to deal with, and conflicts that you will need to manage. If you cannot figure out how to navigate difficult interpersonal situations with some grace and understanding, then it may be difficult for you to move up into management positions or other types of more advanced jobs where the ability to be tactful will be necessary. By learning to manage conflictsOpens in a new tab. in a way that helps improve situations and relationships rather than create more stress, you can help prove that you have what it takes to operate at a higher level within your company.

Show Respect and Listen Well

Just as you need to learn to navigate conflicts effectively, you also need to learn how to comport yourself in general. The way you treat others on a regular basis not only says a lot about who you are, but it also says a lot about your potential to grow and be valuable at your company. One of the most important things you can do is make sure that you are always showing others the respect that you would like to receive yourself. When others feel respected by you, they are much more likely to respect you in turn and to want to see you do well.

Along with showing respect, you also need to make sure that you have great listening skills as well. So often, many get wrapped up in what they have to say that they don’t take the time to listen attentively, which can be harmful to communication in general. By being an active listener you can improve your communications with others, and your relationships with them, too.

The Bottom Line

Even during a recession, there are lots of things you can do to advance your career. From asking for a raise to treating others how you would like to be treated in the workplace, there are many things you can begin doing that will help you advance your career today.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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