It’s quite common for college students and recent grads to feel a little overwhelmed about not knowing where they will end up in their career. Many hope to immediately land that perfect job after graduation, offering incredible benefits and a six-figure salary. But in reality, most begin their careers working as a junior-level employee making an average salary with very few benefits. This is disappointing especially for those who want to advance their careers as quickly as possible. It is also rare for very few millenials stay at their first employer long-term, and many decide to only stay a few years before moving on to their next job. However, climbing the corporate ladder takes patience, determination, and hard work.
It may be more beneficial to stay at your first employer a little longer if you want to quickly advance your career. Staying at the company for a longer period of time gives you the opportunity to fully adjust and immerse yourself in the company’s culture. It also allows you to build a solid professional network. Since seasoned employees love to meet and share their experiences with new hires, make every effort to grow your network early on, particularly with those who are more senior than you. If possible, schedule a coffee chat with them and pick their brain on their career path, thoughts on the current and future challenges of the business, and any advice they’d be willinging to share. If the meeting goes well, keep them as a connection and they can serve as your future mentor. Also network with people outside your department. This will give you a broader sense of how the company operates and give you greater credibility when you get promoted.
Final Tips for Climbing the Corporate Ladder:
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- Be the first one in and the last one to leave the office
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- Always perform your current job extremely well, and better than everyone else at the same level within the organization
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- Take ownership on projects and new ideas and constantly seek new ways to learn, grow and challenge yourself
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- Communicate your goals to managers clearly and they will present you with opportunities
- Show quantifiable results
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- Be an outstanding team player/be willing to collaborate with everyone
- Always treat others with respect. This could be as simple as smiling and warmly greeting your colleagues every morning.