Category Archives: Advance Your Career

Maria Asks: I’ve been with my company for six years now, and I deserve a higher-level position. How can I really set myself apart from the crowd—either here or at another company with a bigger playing field? I know I’m good at what I do, but how do I convey that without overselling myself or looking like an egomaniac?

Coach Joel Answers: Maria, you’re in the perfect spot for a career advancement move. There’s a lot you can do to prepare, but 9 key things will really make you stand out and advance in your career:

Speak in financial terms Make a positive impression Grow the job you already have Seek opportunities where others aren’t looking Become a master communicator Make critical thinking a way of life Make their goals your goals Be someone special Tell a good story

Each of these career advancement tips will propel your career forward. … Continue reading Career Advancement: The Top 9 Ways to Stand Out and Get Ahead →

A recent survey by the American Psychological Association reported that there is a significant degree of worker discontent in organizations of all sizes. Forty-three percent reported being particularly dissatisfied with the limited opportunities for professional development and job advancement within their current firm.

Below we discuss five creative strategies that will get management’s attention and foster job advancement. Speak up and be heard.

Actively participate in all office meetings and demonstrate your interest by reviewing the agenda beforehand so that you come prepared with speaking notes. Don’t just talk so that you can hear yourself but add value to the discussion by providing innovative solutions to current challenges.You also want to position yourself strategically since where you sit is almost as important as what you say. Choosing a seat near management will ensure you are heard while also subtly showing your support for company leadership. Go the extra mile.

Another … Continue reading 5 Keys to Job Advancement →

For many of us, the idea of “self promotion” is uncomfortable. The concept conjures images and memories of famous a**-kissers we’ve known and not liked, and many of us firmly believe that our work speaks for itself.

Unfortunately, good work alone is not always enough to stand-out from the crowd. In a noisy, competitive workplace, where others choose us for big projects and new opportunities, finding a way to stand-out… while not becoming one of those aforementioned obnoxious characters, is a fact of life.

Joel Garfinkle, a leading executive coach, speaker and author, offers some excellent and practical guidance for all of us on this important but awkward topic in his latest book, Getting Ahead — Three Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level.