More and more professionals want career growth, such as a higher position, a bigger scope or new skills, and not only a higher salary. Growth rarely happens by chance. These five steps will help you plan it.
Use your free time, such as breaks, weekends and holidays, to build skills related to your field. Read books, follow industry news, attend seminars, or take online courses. Someone in finance and banking, for example, can study new regulations and financial tools. Whatever your field, building digital and data skills and getting comfortable with AI tools will help you stay valuable as roles change.
Ask yourself: What do I want to do? Where do I want to work? What position do I want in 3 to 5 years? Write it down and break it into steps. For instance, if you plan to start your own business one day, you might first spend several years gaining experience in a corporate role. Review your goals every six months.
Ask your supervisor, HR or experienced colleagues what is needed for the next role. Is it years of experience, certain skills, or results? If you are missing something, for example leadership skills for a manager role, look for training, courses or projects that fill the gap. Ask for regular feedback so you know where you stand.
Supervisors and senior colleagues can speak up for you, share opportunities and give advice. Be reliable, communicate well and support your team. Strong relationships across departments also help you understand the business and be seen as a future leader.
Do not stay in only one function. For example, an HR officer who handles payroll can learn recruitment, training or organisational development. This wider experience is often needed for senior HR roles. Volunteer for cross-team projects and new responsibilities. And if your current company has no room to grow, it may be time to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Looking for your next step? Our consultants can discuss your goals and match you with the right opportunities. Browse opportunities or contact us.