What You Have To Do To Move To Next Career Level

By Virginia Foster


Even the most ambitious, goal oriented women hit plateaus in their careers. Some attribute this to the glass ceiling and gender bias. There is a lot of truth to this, but there are some ways you can increase your chances of reaching your business goals that will bypass these hurdles. If you aren't sure how to move to next career level, experts have some good advice and can provide some strategic steps to take on your way up the ladder.

Advancing in your professional life can be tricky. You need to decide exactly what it is you want to achieve. For instance, a woman in a position of authority, with a dedicated staff and good salary, may have a goal of moving into the global arena. Another individual may have expertise on the world stage, but would find more satisfaction with a larger staff and a bigger paycheck. These two women have different goals and will have to take different steps to achieve them.

It can be a good idea to avoid confiding in your boss. You may think this person has your best interests at heart and will be happy to help you along your way. You might be unpleasantly surprised to learn that your boss is less than enthusiastic about your plans.

You need to prepare for the move you want to make. You could volunteer for projects that will give you some needed experience. You might benefit by taking some classes at a community college to brush up on your skills or learn new ones that will be beneficial to your ambitions. It is sometimes possible to cross over into other areas of the company without leaving your current position.

When you step up the ladder, you have to be able to discuss business with executives and others whose sphere you want to share. In order to do this successfully you must have an executive presence. This might be a matter of accessing your communication skills and finding ways to improve them. Recording yourself is one way to determine if you are speaking in an assertive manner, enunciating clearly, and avoiding bad verbal habits.

When your goal is to become a corporate executive, you will need the help of someone who has already achieved that status. Finding a sponsor willing to introduce you to the people you need to know and help you with career opportunities may not be easy. In order to gain the attention of this person, you might have to introduce yourself.

Just because you know what your goals are doesn't mean that anyone else will figure them out spontaneously. When you need help, you usually have to ask for it. It might be as simple as asking for a reference. This is not the time to feel awkward or unworthy of someone's attention.

Ambitious women have more professional opportunities than ever before. When you want to achieve something important you have to put a plan together. It takes time, perseverance, professional assistance, smart strategies and a lot of luck, but you can make it.




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