A Starting Point for a Successful Career

Blog #1 in the series on career advancement, Context: 28 Year old male, 6+ years of unbroken tenure at a single company

For many people a career is the summation of a string of continuous employment opportunities in an effort to cover rising living costs and advance up the corporate ladder. It is no wonder that only 30% of people are actually engaged in the work that they are paid to do (Source). In these posts on career advancement, I hope to provide calculated and practical advice to advance the careers of my readers and enable them to achieve their career goals whatever they may be . 

Below is the first element of what will be a number of informational posts on this topic; a basic framework for setting yourself up for a successful career. There are six general areas that you need to address, improve on, and maintain in order to progress in your career:

1. Find a job that gets you excited - In many ways a career is influenced by where you start out, being mindful of the choices that you make early on can set you up for success down the road. 
2. Develop your competencies - Learning and developing your ability to do your job is a fundamental aspect of growing your network, inspiring confidence in others, and keeping your job interesting and engaging.
3. Develop your network - As in many life arenas, your career is dictated by those you surround yourself with, always make sure that you are cognizant of those around you to influence outcomes in your life.
4. Find sustainable balance - Perhaps the most overused terminology in the workspace today, but finding and adhering to personal and professional balance is a key ingredient in long term job advancement, stability, and happiness. 
5. Set your Target - Clearly understanding and developing your idea of success in your career is crucial for enabling others to help in the achievement of your goals.
6. Navigate the ladder - Navigating the corporate ladder is a skill all its own. Do not take for granted the impact of politics and perception on outcomes in your professional life. 
7. Make a change - No single role or company is going to provide you with the best opportunities, the greatest balance, or utilize your skills throughout your entire career. Learn to identify when a job is just not working out or a new opportunity puts you in a greater opportunity to succeed. 

Developing strategies and competency in each of these areas will create the greatest likelihood of success in your career but it won't ensure success and it won't guarantee that others won't achieve "it" sooner. Sometimes people get lucky, the unqualified candidate is selected, or the bad guy gets promoted, this is a fact of life. However, knowing your options, having a well thoughout plan, and executing/iterating on that plan as you grow and learn will more times than not leave you in a better than you started. For the next article in this series on looking for new roles, continue on here. 

References

Harter, Jim. “U.S. Employee Engagement Holds Steady in First Half of 2021.” Gallup.com, Gallup, 24 Sept. 2021, https://www.gallup.com/workplace/352949/employee-engagement-holds-steady-first-half-2021.aspx.