Harit Gaba explains what career advancement is and shares some ways you can advance your career.

Harit Gaba: How to Advance in Your Career in Three Steps

It is important to know what career advancement opportunities are available at work if you want to be satisfied in your profession. Having a clear idea of the opportunities you can take advantage of is a good motivator.

Career advancement opportunities mean different things for different people, says Harit Gaba. For some, it means becoming a top executive or a partner. Some want to become experts in their field, while others dream of starting their own business, publishing their research, and more.

Your employer can present you with career opportunities in a variety of ways. For example, you may receive a raise or a promotion. You could also be trained to become more specialized or versatile in your role, or your employer may give you more responsibilities, adds Harit Gaba.

Here are some of the best ways you can support your career advancement goals.

Get a sponsor.

Having a sponsor means you have someone in a higher position who actively advocates for you. This person will recommend you for projects, support you in risk-taking endeavors, help you build relationships with important people in your industry, and support your career path.

To find the right sponsor for you, you need to know what your career goals are. Then, seek out networking events that professionals in your industry attend. After that, you should clearly share your goals with the leaders you look up to, says Harit Gaba.

Become a pro at networking.

Having good people skills will give you better opportunities to advance in your career. You want your colleagues, employer, and people you respect professionally to respect you and your work ethic. To become a pro at networking, you must:

Become an active listener.

Learn to relax and appear calm around people.

Always prepare good questions.

Pay attention to the smallest details.

Remember names and other important facts.

Have a professional business card.

Continue Learning

Whether you take an independent online course or choose on-the-job training, it is essential to continue to sharpen your skills, notes Harit Gaba. Show your employer how invested you are in learning new skills for your role by attending seminars, workshops, or evening classes to improve your qualifications.

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