Discover 8 Strategies to Boost Your Career Progression

Your company's training programs might be excellent, but they may not always equip you with everything needed to elevate your career further. At times, you’ll need to take proactive steps to move forward in your professional journey.

Looking for guidance on how to prepare? In this article, eight effective strategies are outlined to help you advance your career to new heights.

Strategies for Career Advancement

Here’s a brief overview of the topics explored:

1. Set clear, SMART career objectives

2. Communicate your goals to your professional network

3. Regularly seek feedback

4. Enhance your interpersonal skills

5. Prepare thoroughly before requesting a promotion

6. Develop a 30-60-90 day plan

7. Expand and maintain your professional connections

8. Focus on growth rather than comfort

Let’s dive in!

Strategy 1: Set Clear, SMART Career Objectives

You’ve probably set career goals before, but how often do they remain unachieved despite sounding promising? This is a common issue with goal setting. The solution lies in creating SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

For instance, consider this vague goal: “I want to secure a Senior Analyst position at a leading consulting firm.” Now, compare it to a SMART version: “Contact individuals at the top three consulting firms by the end of this week to understand their hiring process for senior analysts, and use those insights to complete three relevant projects to include with my applications by month’s end.”

The SMART goal is more actionable. Write it down, keep it visible, and start working toward it!

Strategy 2: Communicate Your Goals to Your Professional Network

While some goals can be achieved independently, many, especially ambitious ones, may require support to accomplish more quickly. Don’t keep your goals to yourself—share them with your trusted network, including any challenges you face. This way, if they come across solutions, you’ll be the first person they think of.

To share without seeming pushy, start by asking about their goals and offering help. This leverages the principle of reciprocity, making it easier and less awkward to share your own goals and seek assistance. You might not even need to ask for help—they’ll offer it naturally.

Strategy 3: Regularly Seek Feedback

Receiving criticism can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential for rapid growth. Seek constructive feedback frequently from anyone who depends on your work, such as your manager, colleagues, clients, or assistants.

To get valuable insights, ask specific questions like, “What could I do more effectively?” or “How can I adjust my work to make your job easier?” Take notes, evaluate the feedback, and set a SMART goal to address areas for improvement.

Strategy 4: Enhance Your Interpersonal Skills

While technical skills are crucial for certain careers, they alone won’t unlock the best advancement opportunities. Equally important are soft skills, which vary based on your career aspirations. For example, if you’re aiming for a leadership role, focus on skills like public speaking, building rapport, delegation, and time management.

Contrary to popular belief, soft skills aren’t innate—they can be developed with practice, just like technical skills. This means anyone can improve them with effort, no natural talent required.

Strategy 5: Prepare Thoroughly Before Requesting a Promotion

Don’t passively wait for a promotion—it’s not guaranteed, even if you deserve it. Be proactive. In the guide on how to earn a promotion (Hyperlink), seven steps are detailed to make a compelling case to your boss. Here’s a summary:

1. Start documenting your achievements and successes

2. Share your career goals with your boss and seek their advice

3. Act on their suggestions for 3-6 months

4. Update your success document with your progress

5. Schedule a meeting to discuss your advancements with your boss

6. Practice how you’ll present your progress and promotion request

7. Confidently ask for the promotion

This process requires planning at least 3-6 months in advance, so begin now if you see a promotion opportunity on the horizon.

Strategy 6: Develop a 30-60-90 Day Plan

A 30-60-90 day plan is an excellent tool for tracking your goal progress. While some wait for their boss to request one, you can create one now to guide your career advancement over the next three months. Break your goals into actionable steps and start tackling them.

When done well, this plan can also be shared with your boss when asking for a promotion or raise. If unsure which goals to include, consult a career map for your field. It’s also a powerful way to stand out during job interviews by showing the value you’ll bring, especially since most candidates won’t do this