Lifetime Career Moves That Lead to Advancement

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As you progress through your career, advancing with an enhanced job title and increased responsibilities are goals. But your career is a marathon not a sprint. Advancement doesn’t necessarily come within the company you started with.

Changing jobs throughout your career may be a way to increase pay and responsibility. You might have started your career with a five-year plan. But you'll be in the workforce for decades. Each decade brings new challenges and goals. How do you change jobs and advance throughout your career?

Career Advancement Is Progression

Progressing to the next level in your career is advancement. This could mean a new title, expanded skill sets, increased responsibility, or a higher salary.

Everyone has their definition of success that advancement brings. It’s essential to consider the most important thing in your career. What do you want your career to look like in the future?

Once you’ve defined what success is to you, it’s time to act.

Determine and Plan Career Goals

For many, goals and a timeline go hand in hand. The thought is that if you don’t have a timeline corresponding with your goal, it’s more of a wish list. Putting yourself on a timeline creates a sense of urgency.

Combine short-term and long-term goals. You may need to learn a skill or earn a certification to achieve a large goal. Learning that skill is your short-term goal.

Once you’ve written down your short and long-term goals, you have a roadmap.

Pursue Advancement Opportunities

It goes beyond writing down your goals and working hard. You also must ask for the results you want to achieve.

By talking to your manager about your career goals or applying for positions that offer advancement, you are taking charge and guiding your career.

Demonstrate your preparedness to a department head or hiring manager. Offer proof of your growth and effectiveness so you’re given new opportunities.

You must become your own advocate. How you advocate is different in every decade.

Career Advancement in the 20s

Your 20s can be a volatile period both in your career and in your personal life. Most 20-somethings are fresh from college and have book knowledge but no experience.

This is the time to work on new skills that can be applied in all professions. These include elastic skills like communication, teamwork, resilience, and critical thinking.

During your 20s, you should focus on building networks and finding mentors. Pay attention to managers and team leaders. This is the time to analyze what goes into creating a good leader so you can emulate that.

It’s also a time to try different tasks and decide which ones you enjoy. You’re learning in your 20s; take advantage of everything you’re exposed to.

Career Advancement in the 30s

It’s time to create a clear vision of your life. What is it you really want and what do you have to offer? This will become your blueprint toward furthering your career.

Stop chasing and seeing yourself as a job title. It doesn’t define your career. Adjusting your career will require some investment. This could be time or money. For example, if you want to return to school, that will take an investment.

Think about this as refining your path. Up until now, your career has encompassed experiences and successes. It’s time to take those and explore other opportunities.

Networking becomes even bigger than it was in your 20s. Join associations and attend professional seminars.

It’s time to build your brand. That means volunteering for leadership positions. Be present at office events.

It’s time to take your career to the next level.

Career Advancement in the 40s

How do you view yourself? You now have two decades of work experience. This means you have the experience to guide your career. Evaluate where you’ve been and where you want to be.

If you’re considering changing jobs for advancement, it can be hard to leave one you’ve been with for years. But you have the experience and maturity to handle more responsibilities. Consider financial incentives or greater career fulfillment.

You have value that you can bring to others. Determine what you want your legacy to be.

The world moves fast. Keep an eye on new trends and changes in your industry. This includes new technology. Don’t become outdated.

You no longer should rely on formal reviews. Negotiate your salary and be aware of new opportunities. You bring a lot to the table, whether at your current job or new one.

Many may think changing jobs for advancement is a phenomenon among those in their 20s or 30s, but a Bankrate survey found that around 45 percent of Gen X workers said they’d be changing jobs within 12 months.

Career Advancement in the 50s

Making a change is difficult at any age, but it can be harder for someone in their 50s. But, older workers who make a change tend to be successful. The American Institute for Economic Research, for example, found that 87 percent of those individuals over 47 who completed a career change were successful.

You now have decades of experience. You know what you like, and you know what you can do. Embrace your accomplishments, and don’t be shy about letting others know them. Your accomplishments show your value.

One way to do this is to increase your visibility by serving as a mentor or director. Use your experience to your advantage.

Stay focused on the bottom line. This will make your value quantifiable.

Approach Career as a Marathon

Every decade of your career offers something new to you and your employer. Your experience accumulates. The more skills you can pick up, the more valuable you become.

Make a plan. But remember, that plan will change with each decade.

The Epoch Times copyright © 2023. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.