You’re counting down the months, days, hours, minutes until you get that advancement at your company that officially carries you away from the dreaded “entry-level” title. Instead of dwelling on the ‘bib and pacifier’ that comes along with being the baby on the job, due to a change in career or just starting out from college, try to look at the advantages of working your way up.
Upper-level execs look for employees who are willing to work their way from the bottom to the top, and know every aspect of the company while getting there. Isn’t it better to watch an employee grow internally then to have to go through the hassle of outsourcing someone with the required experience? Why go to the store for flowers when you can pick them from your own garden??
Treat your entry-level job now as the first step to your corner office, and follow these five steps to get there in no time.
1. Longevity
You could have guessed that longevity is one of the most pertinent ways you could elevate your career level. Longevity does not always have to be based on how long you’ve been at the company you work for, but also by prolonged experience in your field, regardless of how many jobs you have held in that area. It is a positive aspect to have some reasonable span of employment in one position at one company to demonstrate to mid-level and senior-level executives that you are dependable and committed as an employee. The longer you hold out as an entry-level employee, the better you stand out to the upper-level executives.
2. Be Proactive
As an entry-level employee, you want to make sure your productivity comes across to the company, that might mean proving to be a self-starter, a reliable source of talent whenever needed or a fast learner. Being proactive shows off your willingness to complete a task without supervision and prove to your employees that being entry-level doesn’t cripple you, but enhances you for a better position with the company in the future.
3. Make every opportunity count
Being in a position to learn from seasoned veterans in the field, make sure as an employee, no matter what your status is, that you make every opportunity count. Whether it’s leading a departmental meeting, traveling for business or taking on a project larger than usual, every opportunity is the chance to prove to your colleagues (and to yourself) that you are capable of advancing. If they trust that you can do the hard work at the bottom, they will also trust you to become a better employee as time go on, eventually making it to the top.
4. Be Reliable
In addition to being proactive and making every opportunity count on the job, being a reliable employee goes hand-in-hand. These three components make up a prospective upper-level employee. Being reliable with the timing and consistency of your work is a standout characteristic to have, since many entry-level workers allow their impatience about advancing get to them (and it shows!). Play your part the best you know how and remember that your small part makes a big difference, and being reliable in the job you have to do proves that you value what’s given to you.
5. Research your field and stay current
If you love your field of work, then keeping up with the latest business news and trends is something that should be enjoyable and informative. This not only gives you a leg up as an entry-level employee, but as an employee in general. Many co-workers might not understand the importance of knowing the latest about your field, since they have already “made it,” but it makes you stand out from the rest. Research the current trends, changes and latest releases about your company and field, and you could use this information to warn executives about competitors and suggest ways to make the brand better. This is a sure-fire way to help climb that corporate ladder and turn that entry-level opportunity into the door that leads to your professional future.
More on Madame Noire Business!
