Regardless of what business industry or sector you choose to be a part of, there are always going to be winners and losers. There are going to be those who thrive in the industry and those who fall behind dramatically. So, how do you ensure that you are part of the former group? Well, as it turns out there are a few steps you can take and a couple options to guarantee that you rise up.
By making these choices you are going to discover greater levels of success in your career in both the long and the short term. You will gain more opportunities when you are seeking a job and you will be able to ensure that you increase your chances of promotions or career developments. Here are some of the options that you should consider.
Perfect Your Resume
The first step when ensuring that you are going to rise up through the ranks is to guarantee that you do have the right resume. Without a strong resume, you are always going to fall behind. This is how you get your foot in the door in the first place. It’s important regardless of what position you wish to take or what you are trying to achieve.
There are a few areas to focus on here and the first is structure. With the right structure, you will be able to insert and add little pieces to your resume in minutes. It will be suitable for any job that you need. However, you will still want to ensure that you are taking the time to guarantee it is personalised for a particular job. This should include the mission statement at the top of the resume.
It needs to be succinct and clear. Don’t waffle or oversell yourself. Instead, aim to fit everything comfortably over just two pages. Any more than this and your resume becomes a chore to read which is the last thing you want.
A resume should also present them with your USP. This is something about you that guarantees you’ll stand out in a crowd of other competitors. It could be anything from a unique form of experience to a specialist skill. For instance, being bilingual is advisable in this melting pot of a world. Any more than two languages and you’re sure to stand out. Some people lie on the resume and while this isn’t recommended, exaggerating the truth can be helpful if you know how to bluff your way through the interview.
Gain The Right Knowledge
You need to think about the knowledge that makes you more desirable to an employer. Ideally, you should be working to ensure that you have a few different qualifications. Your choice of qualifications is always going to depend on the role that you are seeking. You’ll find various options online that can be used to advance your qualifications and knowledge. For instance, you might be keen to become a Project Manager and if that’s the case a company such as Project Vanguards will be able to help you get your PMP certificate. This is going to be a big benefit to you.
Any qualification like this shows that you are a safe or secure investment and that’s important. Hiring a new employee is always going to be an investment. Indeed, the hiring process for a business can cost thousands a year. That’s why they strive to ensure that they are choosing the right individual. A high churn rate can hurt a company’s finances quite a lot.
Of course, knowledge can also come from experience. A lot of new students in college believe that they should be aiming for a business management degree. They think that with a qualification like this, they can skip climbing the corporate ladder. Instead, they will be able to start somewhere nearer the top.
So, while this is true and you will be able to enter the role of manager, you can’t go in green. If you do this, you’ll find that the employees won’t respect you and will be wondering why they should take orders at all. This can lead to you failing in your projects. That’s why it can be worth getting some experience at a lower level, even if it is shortlived.
Rubbing Shoulders
Some people are very nervous and worried about social media. They are so nervous about doing something embarrassing on social media that they avoid it completely. You might have heard about examples where a worker has been fired due to a social media post. While it might seem safer not to have social media, this isn’t going to be the answer and there are a couple of reasons why.
The first is that when you do pursue a job, a recruitment manager will often complete an online search. They will be exploring any issues that make you look like a risky hire. But they will also be checking for examples of networking. Networking is important because it shows that you will be able to make connections and become an asset to a business. Some companies will expect you to already have a strong network when you are hired. This is certainly true for any rule in journalism where they will want you to have made a name for yourself.
You may not need all the social media networks depends on the position that you are trying to fulfil. However, it is definitely advised that you at least start with LinkedIn. With LinkedIn, you can pretty much guarantee that you are going to be able to network of people in the industry.
Don’t forget this is also going to provide you access to opportunities that are sometimes gated. Remember we mentioned that hiring employees is an expensive process. Well, this is absolutely true and that means that many businesses hire up in-house through promotions. It saves a lot of time and energy. With networking, you’ll still gain access to an invite if you know the right people.
It isn’t just about what you know in the business world, it’s about who you know. You have to ensure that you have the right people on your team. Networking can also be more crucial depending on the business model that you are working around. If you are going to operate as a freelancer then this is always going to be an essential part of the puzzle.
Keeping Up Appearances Matter
Regardless of what career you pursue appearances do matter. Various polls and research studies have shown that if you are conventionally attractive then you are far more likely to find success in your career.
Now we know what you’re thinking here. You can’t change the way you look. But actually, you can. You can ensure that you take pride in your appearance and ensure that you do put in the effort to be presentable. This isn’t just a vanity aspect. The reality is that there are a lot of business roles that are completely based on the concept of customer service or client care. So, when you are hired or added to a business, you become part of the brand for that company. This means that you need to make sure that you look the part.
Before you attend a job interview, you should think about ensuring that you are dressed the right way. Consider getting a haircut and ensure that you are well-rested. You might think that you can relax with appearances once you are hired. While you can’t be let go because of appearances usually, you can be passed over for promotion. So, if you are looking to grow in your career, then you need to think about how you look. It sounds odd but it will help you in the long run.
Adopt The Work Ethic
Lastly, you need to think about the type of worker or business professional that you are going to be. You can get so far in the business world by gliding over the surface. This means that you will be doing the bare minimum and flying under the radar of management. However, this isn’t a tactic that works in the long term. Eventually, you are going to hit a wall in your career or more likely a ceiling. Worse still, it could damage your chances of getting great references.
References are often essential for gaining a great position in a sector or industry. So, what is the right work ethic? Well, you might want to consider going the extra mile in your job. Don’t be afraid to stay late sometimes and on occasion put the company before your personal life or needs. If you do this, then it will be noticed, even if it seems like it is being completely ignored. You will gain the respect and the attention of upper management. This is exactly what you need to do if you are keen to climb through the ranks and get to the point where they want you at the head table.
We hope this helps you understand some of the best ways that you can thrive in virtually any career.