10 Tips to Accelerate Your Career Ascent

Going up the career ladder may be tough, but here are nine experience-based tips that will help you accelerate the journey.

1. Lead

Take every opportunity to lead projects, groups and serve on hiring panels and screen job applications. Initiate training and supervise. Volunteer to recruit or manage interns. This is important to gain pivotal qualifications for your next leadership position.

2. Follow the power

Try to interact with your organization’s front office. They are usually loaded with high-grade positions and senior managers who have the power to promote.

3. Spread your reputation

Don’t just nurture your relationship with your supervisor. Cultivate relationships with managers as well. It’s not just about who knows you but also about who knows what you can do. If your supervisor is the only manager in your office who appreciates your abilities and if s/he leaves your organization before you do, your reputation will walk out the door when s/he does.

Try to create strategic contacts throughout your organization and maintain an excellent reputation and key contacts even after your supervisor’s departure.

4. Stay current

Every field continually evolves. You will fall behind if you stop learning about the latest methods and software tools in your field.

5. Develop a useful, unique specialty

Focus on your special skills and cultivate them. This will be your edge over other candidates.

6. Soak up knowledge

It will also be helpful if you learn about other skills like IT, human resources, contracting and communications even if you don’t need these skills at all. If you’re going to run a large department, you need to know it all.

7. Be a “friend in need:”

Always lend a helping hand to colleagues and managers. They will recognize your team-friendly approach and reciprocate when you need it.

8. Bust out of your cube/office

Network often, even outside the office. Join interoffice and interagency work groups that will help you generate outside contacts.

9. Announce your availability

If your office is short on staff, you can tell your director that you are there to help. You may not know the chances of you getting that job or even get a promotion.

10. Soak up knowledge:

Learn about management issues, such as budgeting, IT, human resources, contracting, and communications—even if such issues don’t interest you. If you’re going to run a large department, you need to know it all.

Know any other useful tips when climbing up the career ladder? Share them in the comments below.