7 answers
Bryant
Student
Troutdale, Oregon
3
Questions
Asked
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Are there any opportunities for advancement at your company?
I want to learn about moving up in a company.
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7 answers
David Hulme
Director of Sales Engineers
19
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
Hey Bryant! It's a great question, and you'll get a lot of "it depends"-type answers from folks that you ask, but there are some trends I see from folks that have a history of advancement. It generally goes something like:
- demonstrate mastery of all of the aspects of your existing role. Hopefully it's obvious that if you want a shot at more responsibility, it needs to be crystal clear to everyone involved that you're good at what you do now. This may take 2-3 full business cycles, as most jobs have things that only happen at certain times of the year.
- work on establishing a brand of your own. The first time someone told me this, I rolled my eyes. "Brand", give me a break. But after I thought about it a while it makes sense, your brand is the combination of your reputation at work and the things at work everyone knows you're good at. Are you the person that does killer presentations, or the guy that organizes the best events, or the person that remembers every little weird step in that end of quarter process that management says everyone has to do? Be known for something, and be known for the soft skills that the role your chasing needs, be it integrity, or issue ownership, or creativity, or diplomacy or whatever is valued in that role.
- intentionally cultivate a good relationship with the people that will deal with the person in the role you are chasing. You're going to need allies, and depending on the role, the people working adjacent to that person may very well have a say in the hiring process.
- be privately and respectfully blatant with your intentions to your management chain. And if you can get them to buy into your intentions, you can set yourself up for a good shot when the time comes around. Example: "Boss, you know that I'm aiming to land that lead role on Jane's project team when Sarah moves on. I'd like your thoughts on the things I'm doing to get ready and would appreciate any suggestions you might have to make my chances even better"
- if your advancement is going to leave a hole in what you currently do, figure out what you can do to get someone ready to backfill you when the time comes. Make it easy on your manager and a lot of their potential resistance will fade away.
Remember, you can do all of these things and STILL miss the opportunity when it comes up. There are no guarantees when it comes to advancement, in fact, if a leader promises you something like "if you do X and Y and Z, then I promise you'll have that senior position when it comes up" move them into the "people I don't trust" category. No one can make promises like that. Be prepared to do everything right and watch the position you want get awarded to someone else (for good reasons or for bad). If you do that, you'll be in the ideal position to explore opportunities in other organizations.
Good luck!
- demonstrate mastery of all of the aspects of your existing role. Hopefully it's obvious that if you want a shot at more responsibility, it needs to be crystal clear to everyone involved that you're good at what you do now. This may take 2-3 full business cycles, as most jobs have things that only happen at certain times of the year.
- work on establishing a brand of your own. The first time someone told me this, I rolled my eyes. "Brand", give me a break. But after I thought about it a while it makes sense, your brand is the combination of your reputation at work and the things at work everyone knows you're good at. Are you the person that does killer presentations, or the guy that organizes the best events, or the person that remembers every little weird step in that end of quarter process that management says everyone has to do? Be known for something, and be known for the soft skills that the role your chasing needs, be it integrity, or issue ownership, or creativity, or diplomacy or whatever is valued in that role.
- intentionally cultivate a good relationship with the people that will deal with the person in the role you are chasing. You're going to need allies, and depending on the role, the people working adjacent to that person may very well have a say in the hiring process.
- be privately and respectfully blatant with your intentions to your management chain. And if you can get them to buy into your intentions, you can set yourself up for a good shot when the time comes around. Example: "Boss, you know that I'm aiming to land that lead role on Jane's project team when Sarah moves on. I'd like your thoughts on the things I'm doing to get ready and would appreciate any suggestions you might have to make my chances even better"
- if your advancement is going to leave a hole in what you currently do, figure out what you can do to get someone ready to backfill you when the time comes. Make it easy on your manager and a lot of their potential resistance will fade away.
Remember, you can do all of these things and STILL miss the opportunity when it comes up. There are no guarantees when it comes to advancement, in fact, if a leader promises you something like "if you do X and Y and Z, then I promise you'll have that senior position when it comes up" move them into the "people I don't trust" category. No one can make promises like that. Be prepared to do everything right and watch the position you want get awarded to someone else (for good reasons or for bad). If you do that, you'll be in the ideal position to explore opportunities in other organizations.
Good luck!
Thank you so much, David!
Bryant
Kaevonda Smith
Marketing Consultant
3
Answers
Laurens, South Carolina
Updated
Kaevonda’s Answer
There are a lot of factors that need to be considered when aiming to advance within your company. One major factor that is often overlooked is lateral moves vs traditional promotions. Many companies now want to move people with more knowledge of the overall business instead of individuals who have worked in the same type of role for decades. Building your business acumen can take you far.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Bryant
Melissa Santaella
Senior Manager
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
Yes ! In the past 6 years, I have been promoted 3 times. Initially when I began, I did not want to become a leader. I went from Gap to Verizon, while both are retail, they are very different ! Now in my leadership role, I love it ! And there is still a lot of room for growth, and different sides of the business !
Christopher Bell
Financial Analyst
4
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Numerous businesses, such as Amazon where I'm currently employed, provide a variety of programs and training opportunities to advance your career. These offerings enable you to acquire new skills and gain insights into different roles. For instance, you have the option to enroll in courses about Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, you can expand your professional network by allocating time to connect with individuals who hold positions that intrigue you. This allows you to inquire about their roles and understand the path they took to reach their current position.
Albert Wolak
Financial Analyst
5
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Albert’s Answer
Even at large companies, there is still room to grow. While it may be intimidating to join a large firm at an entry or mid level, if you put in the work and stand out, there is definitely advancement opportunities. At large companies, they are successful because they invest in their people! If you show you are willing to learn, lead, and help the company grow, you will have the opportunity to grow within the firm.
John DeLapa
Sale Supervisor
1
Answer
Chester, New York
Updated
John’s Answer
Verizon offers ample opportunities for growth. I've benefited from numerous training sessions during my tenure. I began in a basic sales role, and now I can transition into any of five different departments within the company whenever there's an opening.
Daniele S.
Accountant
18
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Daniele’s Answer
Hi Bryant,
Moving up at a company typically involves a combination of demonstrating strong performance in your current role, seeking out opportunities for growth and development, building relationships with colleagues and supervisors, and expressing your interest in advancement to your managers. Usually the following steps are taken:
Perform Exceptionally Well: Consistently exceed expectations in your current role. This includes meeting deadlines, producing high-quality work, and taking on additional responsibilities when possible.
Seek Feedback: Request regular feedback from your supervisor to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate your commitment to growth.
Develop Skills: Take advantage of training programs, workshops, and online courses to develop new skills relevant to your desired position.
Build Relationships: Network within your company to build relationships with colleagues and supervisors. This can help you gain visibility and support for your career advancement.
Express Interest: Let your manager know that you are interested in advancing within the company. Discuss your career goals and ask for guidance on how to achieve them.
Be Proactive: Look for opportunities to take on new projects or responsibilities that align with your career goals, even if they fall outside of your current job description.
Stay Flexible: Be open to changes in your career path and willing to adapt to new challenges and opportunities that arise within the company.
Show Leadership Potential: Demonstrate leadership qualities such as initiative, problem-solving skills, and the ability to motivate and inspire others.
By following these steps and consistently demonstrating your value to the company, you can increase your chances of moving up the corporate ladder. However, this is not a rule.
Best of luck on your career!
Moving up at a company typically involves a combination of demonstrating strong performance in your current role, seeking out opportunities for growth and development, building relationships with colleagues and supervisors, and expressing your interest in advancement to your managers. Usually the following steps are taken:
Perform Exceptionally Well: Consistently exceed expectations in your current role. This includes meeting deadlines, producing high-quality work, and taking on additional responsibilities when possible.
Seek Feedback: Request regular feedback from your supervisor to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate your commitment to growth.
Develop Skills: Take advantage of training programs, workshops, and online courses to develop new skills relevant to your desired position.
Build Relationships: Network within your company to build relationships with colleagues and supervisors. This can help you gain visibility and support for your career advancement.
Express Interest: Let your manager know that you are interested in advancing within the company. Discuss your career goals and ask for guidance on how to achieve them.
Be Proactive: Look for opportunities to take on new projects or responsibilities that align with your career goals, even if they fall outside of your current job description.
Stay Flexible: Be open to changes in your career path and willing to adapt to new challenges and opportunities that arise within the company.
Show Leadership Potential: Demonstrate leadership qualities such as initiative, problem-solving skills, and the ability to motivate and inspire others.
By following these steps and consistently demonstrating your value to the company, you can increase your chances of moving up the corporate ladder. However, this is not a rule.
Best of luck on your career!
Thanks for the advice.
Bryant