What's my next move?
No matter whom I speak with, figuring out the next step is the hardest nut to crack.
In general, all things equal, there's three options -
1. Moving up vertically ⬆️
This is the most straightforward path - looking for openings above your current role.
Yet, we can be anxious about starting that conversation with our team lead.
What if they don't think I'm ready?
Feedback is (usually) the best career medicine. We need it to know where we have room to grow, and we need it, even if it's not all true, to know where we stand with the other person.
We still, of course, have to make the 'pitch', and tell our story, make our case to succeed with more responsibility.
Back yourself to win, and maybe, you will!
2. Moving up diagonally ↗️
Very often, there's no openings right above your role - usually because your team lead is in that position (and they're not going anywhere anytime soon).
I have worked with folks who found positions adjacent to their own in a related division of the company, with a tad more responsibility, and started friendly conversations with people that needed good help.
Lo and behold, a new option was created, and this created a chance to do new and interesting work which relied on their past success and existing skills.
Ask yourself - What teams or divisions do you know that do work you find interesting outside of your own?
3. 3D Growth 🌎
So what if there's no options above OR diagonal from you, even in competitor companies, what can we possibly do?
Grow our skills and potential. Make ourselves more valuable.
Pile up the many skills and abilities needed to be a go-to professional.
Everyone can impress their coworkers with some good public speaking skills, creative skills - show your flair for colors and design - and even a rudimentary grasp of numbers.
Show you can lead a project (even if people don't report to you) and get it done on-time with minimum disruptions.
Lastly, a friend gave some good advice - show some loyalty to your company. Stay with them four, five even ten years in some cases. If the company has strong culture and you make sure people notice your commitment, this can pay incredible dividends (literal and otherwise) down the line.
Remember - A career is a marathon, not a sprint. Just keep going!
Comments