No matter how much you enjoy your job, after a period of time you may start looking to move up in your career.
It may sound scary, but it’s actually easier than you think, as already being employed in a career where you want to progress is a great start to your CV already.
How do I move up in my career?
There are many ways to take a step up in your career, whether you want to stick in your current company or move on.
If you’re looking for an internal promotion, keep an eye out on company vacancies. Employees are often the first to find out about them, as many employers prefer to hire internally rather than hire completely new staff.
You can also talk to your manager about promotional prospects and find out what you should be working on. This will give you a clear idea of the skills and attitude you need to move up in your career.
Of course, if you’re looking to join a brand new company, check out the latest vacancies on Totaljobs, and sign up to receive the latest jobs via email.
Why do you want to progress?
Whether you’re looking for more responsibilities or just more pay, your CV needs to reflect your ambitions, so think about why you want to climb the career ladder in the first place.
It’s important to get this across in your CV, as employers will want to see in the opening paragraphs why you want a more senior role and whether you’ve got enough passion and knowledge to take the role.
Emphasise your experience and achievements
If you’re looking to step up in your career, you need to emphasise your previous experience, especially any major responsibilities or achievements you’ve been given over the course of your career, as it proves you’re a trustworthy employee who understands the job.
If you’re applying to another company, highlight any relevant skills or responsibilities which could be applicable to their business too.
If you’re looking for an internal promotion, you’re already a step ahead. Not only will you already know the business and its employees, but the bosses can also openly see your attitude to work, and if you’ve been in their company for many years, your commitment to the career. Although it doesn’t hurt to remind them what you’ve accomplished during your time there, and how you’ve benefited the company.
References can help highlight your suitability, as the best thing about looking to progress in an existing career is your references should already be relevant to your industry, even if you’re moving up for the first time in your career.
Research the role
If you’re looking for a better job, you need to do your research first. Make sure you understand the responsibilities and required skills, so it’s easier to tailor your CV.
Plus it’s a great way to discover any missing skills that the role requires, as you can instantly start looking for relevant courses or training schemes to get you up-to-date before you apply.
It’s also worth checking the average salary for that role, so you can find out if you’re being offered the right pay and what you can expect in the future.
Where do you want to go from there?
If you’re looking to climb the career ladder, you’re likely to want to keep going once you’ve landed a more senior role.
If you’re looking to move to another company, find out what their promotional prospects are before you apply. It’s much easier to progress by staying in the same company through internal promotions, rather than moving to different employers every time you want a better job.
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