Here are 8 strategies on how to move up the corporate ladder, successfully...
Assume a leadership stance. This means taking full responsibility for your autonomy on the job in order to set an example for your coworkers. Your bosses will notice that your actions encourage those around you to work harder and more efficiently and, as a result, you could be presented with opportunities for climbing the ladder.
Contribute useful ideas. Before scheduled meetings, review the meeting agenda, research the issues to be addressed and determine how you can provide input. Focus on creative, relevant and useful ideas you can contribute to things like productivity, employee motivation and increasing the bottom line. To move up the ladder, you must be able to prove your value as an employee, and making suggestions that improve your company's functioning is a great way to get noticed as an idea-maker.
Make your presence known. Speak up at meetings, initiate conversations in the break room and at lunch time and participate in group conversations between coworkers in order to get noticed. Just be mindful of the relevance and appropriateness of your input.
Work hard. There is no substitute for effort. It will take some personal sacrifice to move up the corporate ladder, such as coming in early, working overtime, taking on extra responsibilities and being accountable for difficult tasks.
Develop a strategy for achieving your career goals. Climbing the ladder may involve things like getting more education, volunteering your time to side projects, forming a relationship with a mentor, taking a certification examination and/or better acquainting yourself with your bosses. Identify the things you can do to improve your career standing, then create and implement a step by step plan for accomplishing those things.
Diversify your position. Identify areas in your workplace where your strengths could be useful and think of ways in which you could expand your job description to encompass those areas. Present your ideas to your manager and volunteer to adapt your current functions to the broader scope.
Involve yourself in company activities. Make it a point to be at company parties, team-building retreats and the like. You want to stand out in your boss's mind when the next promotion opportunity arises.
Network amongst industry professionals. Do this by attending industry seminars, trade shows and networking clubs. As your reputation grows, so will your chances at climbing the ladder. Moreover, forging associations with those in your industry may result in future employment opportunities if, for any reason, you outgrow your current employer.