Moving forward
11 ways to advance with your current employer
By Marco Buscaglia for Tribune Content Agency
Published in the Chicago Tribune on February 25, 2024
Staying with a company for a long time often requires a combination of dedication, adaptability and proactivity. Here are some strategies to help you stay with a company for the long term:
Align with the company’s goals: Understand the company's mission, values and long-term objectives. Align your own goals and aspirations with those of the company.
Continuous learning and development: Invest in your professional development by acquiring new skills and knowledge relevant to your role and the company's industry. Seek out training opportunities, attend workshops and pursue further education if necessary.
Build strong relationships: Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues, supervisors and other organizational stakeholders. Networking and building rapport can help create a supportive work environment and open up opportunities for collaboration and advancement.
Demonstrate reliability and consistency: Consistently deliver high-quality work and meet deadlines. Be reliable and accountable for your tasks and responsibilities.
Show initiative: Take initiative by volunteering for challenging projects, proposing innovative ideas and contributing to problem-solving efforts. Demonstrating initiative can showcase your value to the organization and increase your visibility.
Adaptability: Be adaptable and open to change. Embrace new technologies, processes and ways of working as the company evolves. Adaptability is crucial for thriving in dynamic work environments.
Communicate effectively: Practice clear and open communication with your colleagues and supervisors. Keep them informed about your progress, challenges and achievements. Additionally, actively listen to others and be receptive to feedback.
Stay positive and resilient: Maintain a positive attitude even during challenging times. Show resilience in the face of setbacks and setbacks, and strive to find solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
Seek growth opportunities: Look for opportunities to grow within the company, whether through promotions, lateral moves or special assignments. Express your interest in career advancement and proactively seek feedback on how you can progress.
Maintain work-life balance: Strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout and sustain long-term engagement and productivity.
Stay ethical and professional: Uphold high ethical standards and professionalism in all your interactions and decision-making. Integrity and professionalism are essential for building trust and credibility within the organization.