Looking for Professional Growth? These 2 Factors Cannot Be Ignored.
Read any list about what millenials or Gen Z are looking for in a career and in a company and you’ll find the many of the same things. A consistent top 5 finisher in these “listicles” is professional growth. In my role as a campus recruiter, I've never spoken to a person who does not want to progressively advance in their career. No one wants to finish their career doing the same thing as when they started it. It’s important to know that it doesn't just happen. While there may be different layers and complexities in each organization, it really comes down to 2 factors that YOU control: Performance and Communication.
Nothing replaces HARD WORK- not talent, not luck, not charisma. Nothing. Be absolutely amazing in the role you're hired for. Develop a track record of Sustained Superior Performance and Success. No one ever gets recognized just fulfilling their job description (even if they do it really well). Show up early. Stay until the job is done. Be willing to put the work in early that will yield positive personal branding in the future. Take the projects that you don't have to. Volunteer to lead. Get involved. Speak up when something isn't quite right. Add value to your team and organization by uncovering unseen needs and provide a solution. Lay the foundation for your reputation. Step up and stand out.
I recently read a saying: “The closed mouth never gets fed.” And I don't mean begging. Tell everyone that will listen in your network where you want your career to go. You're putting the work in. You're developing that positive personal brand. Coworkers and leaders look to you to get the job done. But have you ever mentioned to them that you want their job one day or that you want your career to progress on a certain path? They may think you're completely comfortable doing the awesome job that you are. Guess what? A bunch of coworkers ARE having those conversations about professional growth with leaders. It's up to you to Build those Relationships through Open Communication with your leadership team, business partners and professional network. They’ve seen your work ethic and results. They want to go to bat for you.
No one will care about your career more than you. But if you consistently work hard and produce outstanding results, no one can deny your potential. If you have conversations with your leaders and professional network I promise that you'll gain ambassadors who will step up and vouch for you when the time comes for you to level up. They'll likely steer you in the direction of opportunities you may not have otherwise been aware of. Most importantly, you'll know that you've earned it.
