The question that comes up most from people I work with is probably, how do I move to the next level? It isn’t always phrased just like that, sometimes it is how do I get unstuck, how do I advance, how do I continue to grow. Do any of those sound familiar to you? They can come from slightly different motivators as well. Some people are frustrated and looking for a way out of their current situation, others want to know a career strategy proactively to continue their growth. I love and respect both of these motivators because both are empowering. Both of these vantage points, or really any vantage point that leads you to this ‘what’s next’ type of question means that you’re taking your career, and your life, seriously as yours to own. So, if this is resonating with you, for any reason, well done. The action plan is below. If you’re looking for the full step-by-step process, check out my free Next Step Guide.
The question what’s next recently came to me again, and this time from the perspective of if I accomplished all the goals I originally set, where do I go next? This one is the career pathing motivator, she is happy where she is, no concerns or red flags, but wants to ensure she has a clear path with goals moving forward. What a fun place to be. (Yes, determining career and development goals is fun to me.)
What’s next is knowing what you want
What’s next for the person who is enjoying their current role and wants to advance within their organization? Understanding what they want to double down on or change from their current role. If you’re in this situation and you have a clear view of what that next step or next position might be, start paying close attention to it. What do you already know you want out of it and what are you hoping to avoid? Talk with some people who are in that role or even who manage the role that you’re looking at. Getting the inside scoop from those who are doing the work is an advantage in this step. Let them tell you what they enjoy and what pit falls there are. Understanding that there will be pitfalls with any position in any company, align what you’re hearing to what you want, and the reason you’re looking at career pathing in this direction.
Some people will say, I want to be a supervisor. They are just willing to take whatever comes with that because they think that is what they want. You may still want the same position but in the end if you find out that what comes from it doesn’t align with what you wanted you might need to adjust your expectations or find ways to change it. For example, if they work more hours, don’t make as much money, or they spend the bulk of their time on work you didn’t expect, think first. You might need to explore how you can set different boundaries, check out other departments or companies, or fit balance time with the work you love. Truthfully, you might also decide that getting that title isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and start looking in another direction.
and if my circumstances are a little different?
What do you want out of your next opportunity? Another way to ask it, why do you want a new opportunity? What are you looking for? There are so very many of us who would have a laundry list of what we don’t want, but what about what you do want. Consider the aspects of your job that you enjoy now that you’d like to carry with you. Think of the areas you’re looking to enhance. For instance, maybe you love the direct work with customers, and you’d like to make 20% more than what you’re making now. Or, you want a boss who truly trusts you to run things and gives you the autonomy to make decisions in your area of expertise. Perhaps you want something entirely different. I have worked in retail for years but I’d really like to become a nurse. The point is, you have to know. You have to have a clear picture of what you want, and in all aspects of the job from responsibilities to compensation to leadership to benefits etcetera.
Then create a plan
If you’re the internal person working toward that next goal you now know where you want to be and why. You have intel of what that role will truly look like and the pros and cons that go with it. This is great! Now you have to consider what skills you have to get there and what needs some brushing up. You’re in a great place for this my friend. Get with those same people you started developing relationships with. These have now transitioned into your mentors to aid you in getting to the next step. Share with them what you’ve been working on that will support you in the next step and get their opinion. Discuss what areas you’d like to further develop and ask how they suggest you go about enhancing those skills. Find out if there is anything you missed.
Build out a plan that focuses on the enhancing the skills you need and filling any gaps you have to prepare for that next role. If you’re in a role that is similar now, this may be brushing up on a few things or looking for more opportunities to demonstrate the skills set you possess.
And if I’m not that close to it?
Once you’ve decided what you want, and you know the career direction you want to go, start talking. Now is the time for you to start finding mentors in your field too. These may be people you already know that have been doing similar, or the same, work. They could also be new people that you develop relationships with once you have decided what you want to do. If you were wanting to change industries (like the retail to nurse example) start looking for someone you’re connected to, even if through a friend or relative, that is in that new field and can tell you how they got there and what to expect. Do not try to do this exclusively through Google. You need to understand from firsthand experience an actual path that was taken, not a hypothetical add from a college or other entity. Make some connections, learn firsthand, build relationships, and then develop your plan.
Based on what you learn from others, and a little Google maybe, develop what your next steps are. Do you need a degree? Do you need to dust off some ability you haven’t practiced in years? Make a list of the strengths you have for this next role and the gaps you need to close. Then you’ll be able to create an actionable plan on how to get there.
What’s next is taking action
Get out there with your plan and make it work. Set up the lunches with your mentors, take the classes, read the books, and all the other things. Most importantly though, apply what you learned. Don’t just listen to the podcast give an emphatic, that was so good! Then just move on. You have to do the things. Start acting like the version of you that will be in that next role now in order to get there.
If you’re thinking, all of that makes sense but I still just don’t know how. Check out these resources for getting to what’s next for you. It’s a totally free, quick and easy, guide that walks you through each step and how to get there. Start applying it today and reach out to me to tell me what step you’re on and how you’re doing!
Very helpful plan and useful even as I plan my partial retirement. Practical and comprehensive. Thank you.