Whether you are starting a new job or want to improve your existing career, how you approach your work can have a huge impact on the longevity of your employment. Individuals who make a concerted effort to be better employees and business associates tend to have longer careers with their employers and more upward mobility. If you want to improve your career opportunities regardless of your job, the following are five actions you should take.
Be Honest
At every stage of the recruitment process, it’s important to be completely honest. You’ll probably be asked at some point if you have any criminal convictions or if you do any drugs. Companies use sites similar to https://www.sterlingcheck.com/services/drug-health-screening/ when hiring new starters to ensure that nothing remains hidden from them, so your best bet is to be open with them – a liar looks worse than a previous convict. Companies are looking for people they can trust, so if you’re up-front with them from the get-go, they’ll have no ammunition further down the line if they’re looking for an excuse not to hire you.
Develop a reputation as a helper not a trouble maker.
People who are constantly complaining or talking negatively about things in the workplace soon develop a reputation as someone who isn’t company focused. Being a negative influence at work can significantly limit your career opportunities with your current employer and can even influence future career prospects. If a prospective employer calls your past employers for a character reference and is informed of your negativity and trouble-making ways, your chances of landing a new job are slim.
Do not promise to complete tasks beyond your skill level.
If you’re into a higher position such as a Chief Marketing Officer, employers would think that you already know the job, says a post on CMO resume guide. While you might think you are helping your employer by taking on new tasks, if you do not have the skills necessary to complete the job, you are doing your employer more harm than good. Hone your skills and then agree to take on new tasks and you will impress your boss and increase your career opportunities.
Think long term regardless of the job you are currently doing.
What skills is your current job teaching you that can be transferred into a new position? Are there coworkers on your team who can teach you new skills to advance your career? When you integrate long-term thinking into your job, you will be surprised at the number of opportunities you spot that you otherwise would have missed. Long-term thinkers progress in their careers, while here-and-now thinkers tend to stagnate.
Your current job may teach you skills that you will most likely be able to apply in your new job. So try to learn everything you can. Also, in order to achieve a long-term goal, you must be mentally prepared to relocate to a new location or city. Understandably, not everyone is eager to step outside of their comfort zone and move out. However, not every desirable job can be found right outside your door. You would have to leave your favorite place at some point. Also, after relocating there, you’d probably be so busy making adjustments that you’d forget about your comfort. You’d have to look for keywords like movers near me on the internet to find a company that can help you move your belongings to the new location. You might also have to look for local stores to buy necessities and figure out an affordable mode of transportation, among other things. As a result, you may need to be prepared in every way, mentally and physically.
Your overall attitude towards business development can significantly influence the trajectory of your career.
A Psychological Contract could be at play wherein an employee know an employer owes rewards from doing a good job. But it’s good to develop a progressive attitude toward bringing business opportunities to your employer’s attention and you will earn a reputation as a company-focused individual. Employers like working with people who put the business first, and they are likely to reward your loyalty with promotions or office perks.
Don’t make yourself irreplaceable.
While you might think it brings job security if no one else can do your job, it only hurts your employer in the long run. Be willing to teach others how to do your job and it shows your employer you are focused on the good of the company. Succession planning is a natural part of building an upwardly mobile career trajectory. Fail to plan for the future and you might be limiting your career prospects.
Integrate these five tips for improving your career opportunities into your job and you can significantly influence your long-term employment prospects. Become a better employee and you improve your odds of career advancement and increased pay. The more you make yourself someone others want to work with, the likelier it is your career will advance and you will have better job opportunities come your way.
