I am not a believer in New Year’s resolutions.
But I completely understand how the dawn of a new year can restore hope and that promise of a fresh start.
It has a tendency of pushing us towards our dreams, especially those we had forgotten or written.
For most adults, career advancement is the dream
Small steps that could change our lives drastically, we believe.
But most of us are either ignorant to the ways to go about.
Or we are not going about it the right way.
Caroline Ceniza-Levine, career change expert, says that career advancement is not one-size-fits-all.
“There are different and sometimes surprising paths you can take.”
She believes that thinking too narrowly about this issue may be leading us to what she calls the ‘ten myths about career advancement which may be keeping you from getting ahead’. These include:
1. Advancing in my career means a management role.
“If you are an individual contributor now, then managing a team or direct reports is a step up.”
But managing a team is not the only pointer of personal advancement.
Working as an individual and expanding your skills set may serve you better, sometimes.
“Career advancement could be a lateral move, not necessarily a move into management.
In fact, if you are currently in an area that you don’t want long-term, it doesn’t make sense to pursue advancement where you are. Are you advancing in the direction of your long-term career goals?” she asks.
2. Advancing in my career means a bigger team or budget.
“More is not always better when it comes to advancement.” Ceniza-Levine advises that moving to a key focus area in your company, even if it comes with a smaller team, could advance your career better and faster. “Think impact on the business, not size of your team. Are you getting closer to the critical work at your company?”
3. My manager will help me get to the next step.
Do not make it someone else’s responsibility to get you where you want to be. Do not assume that anyone will help you either. It’s up to you to know your career goals.
“No one will advocate more diligently and passionately for your career than you will.”
4. I can’t tell my manager I want something else.
As much as it is not your manager’s responsibility to help you advance your career, do not assume that they will sabotage it.
“Some managers are excellent at developing their staff and proactive about lobbying for staff advancement,” says Ceniza-Levine.
Your manager may be the one person who can objectively criticise and advice you based on your proven skills in the company.
5. If I want to advance, I should stay at my company.
Your company may not be able to give you the platform you need to advance your career.
But it is worth finding out what you can do while you are at your company.
6. If I want to advance, I need to go somewhere else.
“Of course, don’t assume you have to leave to get what you want.”
There are many advantages of staying in one company for a while.
Among them is building relationships with people.
Also, remember that it may take a while to make substantive changes in any department.
7. I just need to land the right mentor.
“Yes, a mentor can give you valuable advice, which can help you advance.”
But remember that you need to do all the work at the end of the day.
“Are you abdicating the responsibility of managing your career to your mentor?” she asks.
8. I need to dress or talk a certain way to get ahead.
Ceniza-Levine says executive presence matters but varies by industry, role and company culture.
“If you equate advancing in your career with becoming less of who you are, then you give yourself an excuse not to put yourself out there.”
Don’t assume you need to change, aesthetically, in order to advance.
9. When I’m ready, I’ll be called up to the role.
“You may never feel 100 per cent ready.”
What does ready in mean in the real world?
And what happens when you ‘feel’ ready but no one even notices?
Just take a leap of faith.
10. I should look for a stretch role, but not too much of a stretch.
“It is my observation that as job seekers, we put too much into the job title and the job description.
“We freak ourselves out by reading too much into ‘big words’ instead of trying to understand what the job entails, and how our skills and qualifications could fit in.
“Don’t overlook opportunities by assuming there is one right job or one right person or one right strategy that will help you break through.”
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