Strategy for Climbing the Corporate Ladder

Chandra Fox

Read More Articles!

In regard to our careers, we’ve all heard to maintain a progressive career history, always move forward, and the step up will bring more money. Maybe you find yourself going nowhere with a lot of experience or your company hasn’t promoted you, as you’d have liked. Success is not only making a step up. It is important to look at your long-term strategy. Sometimes taking a step back to make two steps forward in the future is not a bad idea. It is certainly something to consider. There are times it is completely acceptable to take a little less responsibility or money for the long-term greater good of your career. Timing is key, so be sure you consider all your options.

Keep an eye on the news
Be sure you read about your industry’s future. Industry changes can have a dramatic impact on where your career will be in the future. In your career it may be time to quit moving straight ahead and start taking control of the game. If you see a small chance of being promoted, your industry digressing or mergers and buyouts coming your way, it is time to make a move. Common ways people determine a time for a career change is reading about the job you have currently becoming obsolete or seeing the company shifting directions in terms of stock price or new legislation making it a little more difficult to see a future. Take control of your career – you’ll be glad you did.

The Odds are Narrowing
If you've hit the ceiling in terms of your career progression with your current employer, you should determine your career goals. If you are at the top of your organization, this may signal you to look for a position in another company or even within a sister industry. An alternative may be to think of jobs you've seen throughout your career and always wished you'd have chosen. So use your personal network to get an interview and tweak your resume to focus mostly on the information key to the new job.

Broadening Your Perspective
You've always wanted to take a chance in XYZ industry and your current industry seems to be headed south. Now is a great time to get out there and see what other opportunities await you. You've been in the same business your entire life and have always wanted to be President of the Bank. Well that is simply not going to be the case if you don't get out there and make a career change to broaden your experience.

Remember that changing your future career begins with changing your present career. In some circumstances this can cause a decrease in salary, benefits and responsibilities, but it will also allow you to meet your long-term goals of the same items that you will miss in the short term.

Read More Articles