Move Up the Ladder at Your Current Company

by Marcie Niedbalski, MBA, BS, CPRW, ResumeEdge.com Editor

Moving up the corporate ladder does not necessarily require you to gain employment at a new company. Many times employees can earn a promotion within their current company through initiative and hard work. In order to increase your value to your current employer, you need to continually enhance your qualifications and skills. The suggestions below may seem obvious, but often times are ones employees tend to overlook.

1. Volunteer for projects when they become available.Offering to lead projects shows your willingness to go above and beyond your assigned job duties, and gives you visibility with your superiors, whether in your own or other departments. It shows initiative and organizational skills while allowing you to increase your skill set and experience.

2. Be visible to other departments/areas.
You can increase your visibility to other hiring managers by volunteering for cross-functional projects. You'll gain exposure to employees in different areas of the company. Make sure you demonstrate a positive attitude and a willingness to help wherever you are needed.

3. Do an excellent job for your current employer.
Managers regularly check with their peers for a reference on internal candidates, and if your current manager sings your praises (and explains how you demonstrated the needed skills while working for him/her, even if they weren't part of your regular job), that will certainly be compelling to a potential manager.

4. Be willing to increase your skills through education.
There are many ways you can keep yourself up to speed on changes within your industry. While going back to school can certainly increase your skill set, it is not always the easiest or the least expensive way to learn. Instead, consider conferences, individual courses or local programs that can increase your knowledge without emptying your wallet. Also check to see if your department has money to use specifically for education. Increasing your skills will increase your chances of moving up the ladder.

As you look to move forward within your career, keep in mind that perhaps the fastest and easiest way to a better position is within your own organization. Be a team player, be a leader, take initiative, be visible to multiple departments, and give your current manager a reason to brag about your abilities to other hiring managers within the company. If you keep these simple suggestions in mind, you may just find yourself moving up the ladder at your current company.

Marcie has been a Recruiter for seven years, recruiting for all aspects of business. She has an MBA from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Indiana University, as well as her CPRW (Certified Professional Resume Writer) credential. She has written or edited over 250 resumes/CVs/cover letters. Her areas of expertise include Information Technology, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Operations, Sales, eCommerce, Engineering, Telecommunications and Legal. Prior to writing resumes she taught a college course on achieving employment goals after graduation, with resume writing a large part of the curriculum. She also volunteers at the City Rescue Mission, sharing her expertise on gaining employment. She works full-time as a Corporate/Technical Recruiter.

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