The employment world would be perfect if the skills and drive of all employees were noticed at the time and appreciated with pay increases, promotions and appreciation. Nevertheless, this is not the case and it's quite evident from the fact that a significant majority of employees across the world work at the same job for years and put in their best and dedicated efforts without ever being noticed or appreciated with salary increases and promotions.
Job advancement is one of the most essential and critical elements for employee retention and satisfaction at every organisation. This is simply because employees tend to be more motivated and productive when their career paths are clear and they are being appreciated, both monetarily and non-monetarily and have tangible goals to work towards. On the other hand, employees with uncertain or non-existent career paths tend to be less focused, less motivated and consequently, less productive.
Defining Job Advancement
Job development can be classified as the upward trajectory during the career of an employee. Individuals can advance by moving up from entry-level jobs to management positions after completing additional education, certification or training, or with more experience. Job advancement can also happen in the form of a career or job change to a new opportunity that provides more significant responsibilities and extensive career growth.
Organisations can formulate job advancement opportunity plans by:
- Acknowledging and appreciating accomplishments through salary increases and promotions
- Providing skill development and learning platforms to employees by providing tailored career advancement plans for all employees, based on their skills and expertise
- Giving additional responsibilities.
Why Should You Know About Job Advancement?
Every employee in any organisation across the world has a desire to be appreciated with monetary and non-monetary benefits. Moreover, job advancement is essential for employees so that they don't feel demotivated, dissatisfied, bored and experiencing low self-esteem by performing the same task, day after day and year after year.
Before we dive in, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:
- You can ask your immediate superior or manager to assign you new and more challenging projects/tasks. This will demonstrate your desire to learn and take new responsibilities. Moreover, it will also give you the opportunity to prove to the company that you can exceed their expectations.
- You can demonstrate your team skills by assisting your colleagues, immediate superior, or manager with time-critical and challenging projects. You may even try your hand at improving existing systems or databases to simplify and streamline processes or sub-processes. This will assist your immediate team and organisation to save valuable time, energy, human resources, efforts and money.
- You can even have a word with an experienced senior, or your mentor if you have one and ask for suggestions, criticism, feedback and advice on how to nurture your existing and potential skills. You can discuss it with employees and line managers of different organisations around the world to find out new, different and innovative ways to identify and grab the opportunities to shine in the workplace.
- You can even pursue additional certification, training, or skills to enhance your learning and expertise. You may also find your organisation will pay for, or at least contribute towards, your educational bills under its tuition reimbursement policy.
- It is essential for you to choose the right set of people around you in the workplace. You should maintain a sense of confidentiality, respect, and decorum in all your interactions.
- You must try to find different and better options for performing things. This will help you think creatively and outside the box. At times, a fresh and innovative perspective is all it takes to solve an ongoing problem or streamline complicated reporting issues. Following such an approach will help you to become more critical and valuable to your team and organisation.
- It is essential to keep your reputation at the workplace, and outside it, in check. There may be a possibility that your seniors might not personally know you, but they may probably know of you. It is important to always remember that your reputation is your calling card unless someone knows you personally. Therefore, it is essential that you still play your cards right and represent yourself in the best possible ways. Avoiding gossips, bad-mouthing and office politics are crucial.
Conclusion
You are more likely to advance your career trajectory if you follow these tips. Remember, it is always a good strategy to keep your cards ‘close to your chest’ and play it smart when required. Any excitement or mistake can cost you a fortune, whilst a well-played game can help you win an exciting new opportunity.
