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Work your way up from the bottom
These days it is not uncommon for newly minted graduates to command huge pay packets and fancy positions, but then, it is a competitive world, and not all are lucky enough to land the job of their dreams right out of college. Starting at the bottom of the ladder is a reality for most young job seekers. But that does not mean you will be forced to cling to the lower rungs of the career ladder for the rest of your working life.
It is said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Each right step that you take could bring you a rung closer to that coveted upper brass position you crave for.
Learn more about how you can pull it off.
Set goals
There is nothing wrong in dreaming. In fact all successful people are dreamers. But the difference between them and those who fall by the wayside is that successful people take the action that is needed to turn their dreams into reality.
The one main reason people get bogged down or sidetracked from achieving their ambitions is that they are never clear on what they want out of life. They may think of their dreams in vague terms, like ‘I want to be rich’ or ‘I want to a better job’ but fail to translate them into achievable action goals.
No matter what your dreams are, clear goals and persistent efforts will get you what you want. Goal setting will give you clarity, fuel motivation within you, channel your energy, and enable you to focus better. Write down your most important professional objectives in a pocket book and keep it with you at all times. Whenever you feel frustrated with your job, take it out and remind yourself of your destination. Motivate yourself to take action and start driving towards your dreams.
Work on your reputation
A good reputation can open up many closed doors and serve as a crucial building block for the future. As a newcomer, you have the advantage of being able to start out with a clean slate. Take maximum advantage of this opportunity to create a good name for yourself. If you intend moving up the career ladder, accomplish every task that may be delegated to you without complaining, and ask what more you can do. After all, no one is going to put their reputation in line trying to promote someone who does not appear to be interested in his job.
Sport the right attitude
Working in a low-end job can be demotivating, but remember it is helping you pay the bills and keep a roof over your head. Look at it positively. A job at the bottom rung of the ladder is still better than no job at all. Keep in mind that you must be able to deliver excellence in your job before you can wriggle your way into larger and more important projects. Make maximum use of the opportunity, sharpen your skills and competencies, and prepare yourself well to progress to the next job or to get a promotion within the job.
Be on the alert for opportunities. You may have limited scope and responsibilities in your job, but you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to develop yourself. The worst thing that can happen is that you wake up in ten years and realise that you missed out on a great opportunity. Go beyond mundane entry-level tasks that have been delegated to you and demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness that captures the attention of higher ups.
Network
Networking is a powerful tool that you can effectively use for career promotion. Make an effort to build rapport with higher-ups in your office. They can provide a great deal of information and career guidance that will benefit you. Networking with the right people can also lead to word-of-mouth promotions and recommendations that could give you a much needed break and create that unexpected turning point in your career.
Make smart moves
Many people end switching from one boring, low-paying job to another for very marginal benefits. Firm hopping is not always the best way to advance in your career. Get smart about your career moves. If you have spent a year at an organisation working hard, cultivating a good reputation and doing all things right, it would be folly to throw it all away for another job that offers a slight increase in salary.
The worth of a job is not always measurable in terms of money. Reputation and goodwill take time to build and don’t come easy. If you are keen to develop yourself professionally, first make an effort to do that in your current firm. If that does not work out, switch after you’ve gained some skills and experience so that can get you a better job elsewhere.
BINDU SRIDHAR
faqs@cnkonline.com
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