For the past 15 years, Imad Ghennouni’s work as a motivational speaker has taken him around the world, inspiring clients and encouraging them to identify goals and create a roadmap for success. Prior to his current vocation, Imad Atiki El Ghennouni Mohammed worked in various corporate settings, progressing professionally in various fields, including tech, financial services, marketing and sales. Imad El Ghennouni leverages his personal and professional experiences to help others identify their goals and build happy, healthy, successful lives. This article will provide practical advice to help employees get ahead at work, simultaneously boosting their income and skills.
Career progression places employees on a firmer footing, better positioning them to apply for more senior roles within their current company or gain employment elsewhere. The first step to career advancement is the individual identifying the position that appeals to them most. They must then devise a strategy, breaking down their career goals into actionable steps that will help them arrive at their desired outcome.
Career progression is a process that requires careful planning, outlining a path to take the individual from where they are now to their ultimate destination. In terms of moving forward, professionals have a number of options to choose from. They may actively seek out training opportunities, take on new responsibilities, look for a new position within the same company, or apply for jobs elsewhere. Career progression has no limitations, with a many different factors contributing to a change of position.
One of the most effective means of career progression is through professional networking. A sensible place to start is by connecting with other employees, sharing knowledge and skills. Professionals should schedule regular meetings with management to review their progress, highlight their capabilities, and express their desire for advancement. Such meetings also provide an opportunity for the employee to discuss what they want from their time at the company, as well as enabling them to flag up potential areas of improvement.
For those seeking to branch out into a new industry, establishing contacts in that field is vital. Outside of the workplace, there are a multitude of networking opportunities available, including conferences and training events. Although establishing connections with the right people – i.e. those capable of advancing the professional’s career – is important, the professional must also offer reciprocal value. Helping others is an incredibly effective means of highlighting the professional’s own skills, authority and potential.
Forward-looking organizations recognize the need to invest in their workforce and bridge knowledge gaps through the provision of training courses and staff development. A company’s intranet can be a valuable resource in terms of identifying what training is available. Where the employee is invited to participate in a training course, they would be prudent to accept, unless there is a legitimate reason to decline. Training, after all, will provide them with new skills and insights, better positioning the employee for future promotions, as well as making them more attractive to other employers.
Maintaining a record of professional achievements is important when it comes to showcasing the employee’s experience, expertise, and skills. Whether the employee has received positive feedback on a project, presented at an event, or completed a training course, professionals should make a list of their achievements, continually adding to it throughout the course of their career.
For those eager to progress in their career, a willingness to step outside of their comfort zone is crucial, enabling them to rise to new challenges and gain new knowledge. Keeping ahead of the curve by tracking the latest news and developments in their field helps professionals to earn recognition as an authority on that topic. Where an employee possesses specialist knowledge of a particular subject, getting involved in discussions and supporting colleagues not only showcases their expertise but also demonstrates a can-do attitude.
