The Hard Truth About Career Advancement: You’re the One Responsible

“The person who cares the most about your career advancement is you.” 

I remember the first time I heard those words, they were very direct and very piercing. I wanted to be told, “That’s really unfair. They should have made sure you had everything you needed to be successful. They knew that the job would be available soon. What even was the point of them giving you a performance review if they weren’t using it to prepare you for what’s next?”

I wanted sympathy, I wanted someone to blame, someone to be angry with. The last thing I wanted to hear was that I did not take the time to be the captain of my own ship.

I’m not suggesting that no one will care at all about your career advancement, but the reality is, there’s not a single person who’s going to care more about your career advancement than you. That is just the harsh reality. 

So how can you ensure that you're ready for opportunities when they present themselves? 

1. Clarify Where You're Going, Plan to Get There

The first step is to clearly identify the position you would like to advance to. Get a copy of the job description, review the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs), and the qualifications an individual needs to perform a specific job successfully.

Then, take an honest look at yourself and ask, “Do I have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to succeed right now?” Not “I could learn it quickly if I had to,” but “do I have it today?” For the areas where you fall short, create a plan for what you need to learn to do the job successfully.

2. Learn Deliberately

   
   

Now that you know what you need to learn, it’s time to start learning it.

This might include coming in early or staying late to shadow someone who’s currently proficient in the skill you want to learn.

This might also look like finding your company's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and taking the time to study those documents. These documents should provide you with the technical and operational instructions you need to do the job. It should also have a purpose section; it is not enough to just know “the what,” it is also important you understand the “why.” The purpose section of the SOP helps employees make informed decisions. If written correctly, this section should also provide what the results should be once the task has been completed. 

Another way to learn is through online resources. If you can make the investment, consider enrolling in an online class that will teach you the skills you need to learn.

If you cannot afford or do not have the time to take a course, consider asking questions about the skill to ChatGPT. I have recently improved my Excel skills tremendously using this method.

3. Keep Revisiting the Plan

   
   

The most important thing is to stick to your plan. You should share your plan with your direct supervisor during performance reviews. Then use further performance reviews to revisit this plan and ensure you are still on the right track to achieve your goals. 

Don’t wait around for your supervisor to schedule the next meeting. Take the initiative and schedule additional meetings to review your plan. In these meetings, be honest about where you are. If you need additional help or time to build a skillset, then ask for it. Do not leave the conversation without asking, “What’s Next?” Figure out what you should be working on, reading up on, and spending time doing to stay on track… AND THEN DO IT!

Do not wait for “them” to develop your skillset for you. Your advancement is in your hands. Steward it well.