Climbing the Corporate Ladder

Growth in a career may require that you climb the corporate ladder. This is an imaginary path that one takes in order to achieve the ultimate form of success in their career. It is an organisation's hierarchy. Careers often have a defined path but you can choose to approach your growth in the way and pace that suits you.

For you to climb the corporate ladder you need to be familiar with company policies and work towards meeting required standards for each level. This journey requires that you constantly develop your skills and other personal attributes to demonstrate to employers your commitment to the organisation and improving yourself so you can help the organisation to grow.

 

Tips for successfully climbing the corporate ladder

• Developing effective communication skills
• Developing a good work ethic
• Commitment to solving problems within your organisation or career at large
• Planning and execution
• Constantly improve your skill and knowledge
• Be flexible and resourceful
• Dress appropriately for work
• Be organised
• Take responsibility for work needed to be done
• Be helpful
• Go beyond work requirements

 

Set personal goals

If you want to climb the corporate ladder you need to have a clear idea of where you want to go. People's careers start differently and progress differently simply because of the goals they have set for themselves. This is why setting goals is key. You should not just go with the motions but have a clear plan and create deadlines for your desired milestones. You also need to have a game plan of how you plan on achieving these goals.

 

Have a vision

You need to decide what it is that you want for yourself in terms of your career. This will be your guide in terms of how you navigate through your career. For example if you are a teacher you can say, "I want to be a Principal". Then you need to find out what steps can lead you to that position. First you have to be a Head of Department, you need to accumulate a certain number of years of experience then you need to be a deputy principal then after accumulating the relevant years of experience you can apply for a principal post where if you are successful you will then be a principal.

 

Have a career plan

You need to develop a career plan that will include your goals, your vision and your aspirations. Your career aspirations will inform your vision, your goals will be informed by your aspirations. Remember it is very important to have deadlines on your career plan at the same time some milestones may not be achieved as you had anticipated, some might be achieved earlier, and some might be achieved later. It is important to be flexible and adapt your plan accordingly.