In order to build a career rather than just do a job, it is important to keep in mind certain points that will act as stepping stones. Shaveta Arora says that these aspects can take an individual to new heights and make the employee an asset for the organization
Are you satisfied with mediocre salary structure, your boss, and your colleaguesIJ If your answer is no then keep reading, your questions would be answered here. Rare people build careers and rest are just doing their jobs. it has been found that the one person who is standing in way of your progress is the person himself. This is because one is a little apprehensive in taking a few risks on the job and think out-of-the-box. However, by following a few simple steps could turn a person’s job profile into a successful stepping stone of one’s career and one can always reach the point or position where one has always wanted to be.
A few tips which can definitely boost and take one’s career to new heights includes — comprise of awareness, knowledge/experience and implementation.
Awareness
It is a common word but is not used fully, considering the benefits it can bring to an individual. For example — awareness is something which makes a spinner bowls a wide bowl when a batsman comes out of his batting crease at that short moment of time. It is something which is never really taught in schools and colleges and it is equally important along with knowledge and experience an individual has gained.
Awareness is not only restricting yourself in grasping the work of your manager while playing a role of an assistant manager in an organisation, it is much more than that. It requires compete alertness at all levels by an individual. Keeping an open mind is also crucial because it can help you complete a particular assignment in couple of days rather than holding and stretching the same work for a week.
A little awareness can increase your productivity at work and take you to bigger roles at a quicker pace. With this you can also learn from your superiors and even from your colleagues by experiencing the way they do the same work in a different way which is better and quicker than what you usually do in certain circumstances. Meditation is the best tool for raising awareness level.
Knowledge & experience
After gaining theoretical knowledge and a degree from a college with a little practical training you have landed in your dream job. When the real job begins, then you have to start from scratch and need to grasp as much practical knowledge as you can about your job and experience will certainly come along with time.
One can take additional responsibilities within an organisation depending upon his likes, interests and passion. You can also voluntarily ask your superior about any extra helping hand they require after you are done with your work. Determination and dedication for work will definitely increase your knowledge and experience related to your job and will also help you gain the respect of your colleagues and superiors.
Attending seminars, visiting exhibitions and being social would increase the chances of meeting new people and discussing work related to your job profile would always be an asset.
Sometimes meeting new people outside your workplace could create new opportunities with higher growth chances or you may initiate an experimental idea from there to start a part time work and it might be a new beginning of something huge.
Technology is available easily everywhere. Wise use of World Wide Web, television and other hi-tech sources could be a plus for an individual profile rather than wasting time and using it for wrong reasons.
Implementation
This is the last step after your awareness and knowledge. In order to be an asset for an organisation you need to execute all your work sincerely and reliably. Reliability at work can increase your chances of being a team leader. If you get a chance to lead a group, try not to take all the responsibilities rather distribute work equally and also not to take all the credit after finishing the task.
While implementation, try to make a comfortable atmosphere with your co-workers as it turns to be an important intangible factor of your growth plan. Once co-workers feel the pleasure to work with you, it becomes easier for you to lead them if an opportunity arises.
(The writer is assistant professor, Department of Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering, ITM University, Gurgaon)