4 Proven Ways to Excel in Your Career

So you landed a job with a great company? You want to move ahead but you don't know how? The first step to upward mobility is always working diligently at the tasks given to you. But that is not all. You have to work smartly too and we tell you how! 

Understand the Goals that are Set In Front of You
Some people work for years without having any understanding of their employer's goals over all or the specific needs of a boss.  Sometimes that is because companies and bosses are not good at communicating that information to employees. If that is the case, seek out this information.  Find out where your company wants to position itself in the market in 5 years, 10 years. Ask your boss what her main objectives are over the next 2 years.  Then ask her how you can help her accomplish those goals in your current role and what skills you may need to help her in the future.  Further, ask how the goals you have already been given for a year help accomplish the company's overall objectives  Understanding how your role fits into the bigger picture gives you a sense of purpose within the organization that will be key to your long term growth.  Failing to know the goals of your company, your department and your boss and how your specific work helps accomplish that  is a huge mistake. You need to know and understand the goals that your employer has and how your role helps them to achieve these goals. Then you must be able to articulate how your work can help achieve company and department objectives. This clarity of purpose will be your first step up the ladder of success..

Learn What Your Boss Needs
You don’t need to be best friends with your boss and you certainly don’t need to feel obliged to hang out after work or on weekends. But, you should get to know your boss as much as you can. Go grab a coffee together.  Find out about their kid's soccer game.  The better you know and understand what they offer, the more you can understand what they like and don’t like and the better you can then perform on a day to day basis. When you do this, you put yourself in the position where it is easier to get a promotion or find your way into your dream job. Bosses are people too! They want to have positive relationships in the workplace with people who genuinely care about them so getting to know what makes your boss tick will go a long way to fostering healthy business relationships and may be the extra boost you need to excel in your career.

Be a Team Player
Being a good team player is so important. You cannot always be the one asking for help at the last minute. You need to be the person that stays late to finish a project with a co-worker. You shouldn't do it because you get a pat on the back or because the boss is watching. You should just do it because you know it is good to help others out in times of need and you know, inevitably, you will need the favor returned someday. If you want to excel at work, then be good at what you do and  work well with those around you. 

Get The Education You Need
Sometimes understanding a company, your boss and being a good team player is not enough to move up. Often you need a certificate or advanced degree to get the job you really want.  Talk to people who may currently be in the role you aspire to have. Ask them what background education helped them get there.  Perhaps you are a nurse but want to get into a management position.  You may find that your company requires a master's degree for management positions.  If that is the case, start your research to find the degree programs that may work for you, your time constraints, and your budget. Going back to school has never been easier with msn degrees online as well as other online college, masters, and certificate courses that make it much more convenient for students.to get the degree and skill set needed to make that next career move.  And, don't forget to ask your company if it has tuition reimbursement to help you complete your further studies.  Often showing an employer how your degree will help them in the future is a great way to get the help you need to go back to school plus help you move your career to the next level. 

​What is your advice for getting that promotion? Tell your fellow boss babes in the comments!