How to grow your career once you’re at a company you like

If you are career-minded, you may think applying for a loftier position in another company is the best route. In fact half of millennials expect to leave their current company within a year. 

But it’s not always the right move. Advancing in your present company may be a smarter move. You already know the culture and the people. If you enjoy them, who is to say that you’d find something better elsewhere? Also, some companies reward loyalty. And why would you want to compete with hundreds of applicants in a chaotic job market?

If you are staying, hone your strategy. Follow these five steps to boost your likelihood of advancing.

1. ASK FOR VISIBLE ASSIGNMENTS

First, seek out high-profile assignments. You want to be seen as a go-getter.

Do this, and your boss and other leaders in the firm will regard you as a creative, productive worker with aspirational goals. I’m not talking about doing extra grunt work. I mean seizing opportunities to come up with innovative ideas and initiatives that impress others.

Commit to projects that reach beyond your department. You’ll open the door to new relationships with potential bosses in other departments. For example, you might lead a fundraising project, or help another executive with her presentation, or volunteer to speak at an International Women’s Day event in your company.

2. BUILD YOUR NETWORK AT THE COMPANY

It’s important to build your network within the firm. You’ll meet and gain the favor of leaders who recognize your talent and initiative. That can lead to important new relationships with strategically placed individuals.

Take part in activities where you can meet senior leaders. These include conferences, sports such as company golf tournaments, leadership forums, and training sessions. If there is someone in the company you admire and think you’d like to work for, find a way to get onto their calendar. You might have a mutual interest. Or, you might invite them to speak to your team as a guest expert. Be creative in setting up that meeting.

Once you’ve made that contact, broach the discussion about reporting to them. There might be an advertised position or not. Either way, if you want to work in that department go for it, set up a meeting, and prepare to pitch yourself.

3. PREPARE A STRONG PITCH

If you’re job hunting in your present company, it might seem like overkill to prepare for each encounter. But you must do so—even for conversations with people who may not have a job to offer you at the moment. They may be able to recommend you to others.

Your preparation should include a résumé that is polished and geared to opportunities in the company. If someone has agreed to meet with you, you’ll also want to prepare speaking notes in the form of a well-crafted statement explaining what kind of position you are looking for and why you feel ready for it. And don’t forget to write a thank-you note after the meeting.

For guidelines on how to create a strong networking pitch, see the chapter on “Pitching Yourself inside Your Company.” in my book, The Job Seeker’s Script. You’ll discover how to sell yourself within your present company.

4. DON’T LET YOUR BOSS GET IN YOUR WAY

It’s important to get along with your boss. But don’t let that person slow you down if you want to advance.

A manager who praises your work may not want to see you move to another department. One woman I know had an opportunity to take a VP position elsewhere in the company. That would have been a big step forward since she was a director. But her boss pleaded “don’t go . . . I need you here.” So, she stayed, and after a decade she is still a director.

If you have a boss who encourages you to pursue next steps within the company, be thankful. But be wary of a bad boss who tries to block ascent. All the more reason to develop strong network ties that will allow you to get around that roadblock.

5. AVOID COMPLAINING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE

As you have conversations with others and seek to move up the corporate ladder, never complain about your current position. A bad boss is, of course, only one reason for seeking a new position. There are many others. But if you are looking to move up because you are unhappy with your current manager or some other aspect of your job, keep that to yourself. No one wants to hire a complainer. They fear it might be a personality trait.

Instead, focus on what you like about your present role, what you have learned from your boss, what a great team of professionals you’ve had the pleasure of working with. And then look ahead and share your excitement about moving to the next role, whatever it may be. That kind of self-portrayal will get you a potential job offer and it will help you build your career.

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