Read more about Career
It’s just as important to have this knowledge in 2025 as it’s ever been—at the very least. If you’re serious about advancing up the hierarchies of competence and seniority, you should take deliberate steps to make this happen. What follows is a discussion of those steps.
Decide Where You Want to Be
Your first move will be to define the nature of progress you want to make in 2025. What position(s) or level(s) would you like to be found in by the end of the year? Think about what achieving this goal would entail, in terms of responsibilities and rewards. If it’s a realistic dream (given the realities of your workplace and industry), and if the picture of succeeding in this respect appeals to you, we say “Go for it!”Build Up Your Skills
It’s possible that you still have some way to go before you’re capable of taking on the higher role you desire. If this is the case, we advise that you begin preparing yourself for it as soon as possible. Take courses and gain qualifications. Learn what your desired position will demand, and begin building competencies that match. Your learning could cost little, or it might require a significant budget. Whatever it is, you’ll have to weigh it against the benefits that would accrue from filling a higher role, and decide if it’s worth the sacrifice.Make the Right Connections
You may want to ascend your career ladder by taking up a new position with your current employer. Or you could be thinking about moving to another organization. Regardless of your plan, you will need to establish and nurture mutually beneficial relationships that’ll help you on your way. Your professional connections should consist of people across organizational hierarchies in your industry, reaching the top. The right kind of contacts will point you to opportunities, put in a good word for you when it matters, and provide invaluable guidance.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Prove Your Capability by Taking on Challenges
Without solid accomplishments you refer to, your quest for a place higher up the career ladder won’t succeed. Anyone who is gunning for a more advanced role in their company or industry has to show that they can handle important projects. You will want to tackle challenges that are at least somewhat related to the position you aspire to fill. Your involvement in such an undertaking will give you a taste of the role to which you aspire.Craft a Personal Brand for Yourself
You can help your chances of landing your preferred job by establishing yourself as a thought leader in your field. Doing this is much easier than ever, thanks to the internet. Get active on platforms like LinkedIn and X; share your thoughts and insights about your profession and industry, interact with responders, and engage posts put up by leaders in your field. If you’re consistent with this, you’ll become more recognized in your industry, and boost your credibility.Let People Know what You’re Looking for
Your chances of career growth will improve greatly if you put out the word that you are in search of new opportunities. In reality, this could mean telling higher-ups at your current workplace that you are available for a more advanced role there. It may also be informing your professional contacts that you are searching for a new job at a specific level, and asking them to refer you to suitable openings.Submit Applications
Keep tabs on published openings that fit with what you seek. A good way to do this is to set Google email alerts for the specific kind of job you want. This lets you receive relevant vacancy notifications from across the web, within a day or so of their being uploaded. Brush up your CV, submit applications in line with the demands of hiring companies, and watch out for feedback from them.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Final Words
This article has addressed a topic that’s a pressing concern for many workers: how to prepare for career growth. Here we’ve focused on making progress through one’s career and talked about the steps you can take to make this happen. You can use this article as a manual for plotting your success in your career going forward.Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
You might also like:
- How to Onboard New Employees at Your Startup
- How to Change Your Career Path at 30: A Detailed Guide
- 10 Tips for Excelling in a New Career Path: Your Guide to Reinventing Yourself
- What to Do Before an Interview: A Step-by-Step Guide to Nailing Your Big Day
