The infamous corporate ladder is not as difficult to scale as you once thought. With the right attitude and a solid belief in yourself, you can move up the rungs of this invisible ladder to enjoy greater success. When you are ready to stop standing still on the ladder and move upwards, here are some steps you should take.
Make Your Destiny by Acting Like a Leader
If you want to move into leadership positions, then you have to show that you are capable of being a leader. This means that you need to start taking charge when possible. Volunteer to head projects, take charge when things are falling by the wayside and always keep your eyes in the prize. When your supervisors know that you are a reliable, go-to person they can rely on, they will be more likely to think of you when new opportunities arise.
Are You Being Paid what You’re Worth?
The media is focusing heavily on the gender wage gap, but that doesn’t mean you should make any assumptions. According to The Economist, the pay gap does not travel across the board. Female accountants tend to earn more than their male counterparts, but financial managers tend to earn less. Don’t assume that your pay is either high or low based on your gender. Take the time to research your pay online to determine if you are in the proper range for your education level and experience. If you are being underpaid, then you might want to touch up the resume and start applying for positions where you may be more appreciated.
Look for Growing Industries
Some industries are hot and growing, and others are slowly fading out. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fastest growing fields are mental health counselors, cost estimators and medical scientists. Meanwhile, the demand for manufacturers and even insurance underwriters are vanishing due to overseas competition and the rise of the Internet. If you aren’t currently in a growing field, you can drastically improve your upward mobility by moving to one that is hot and expected to expand.
Invest in a Quality Education
According the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, workers with a master’s degree earn up to 15 percent more than their peers. This isn’t a coincidence. The fact is that most higher paying positions demand that you have an advanced degree in your field. If you don’t currently have a master’s, you might want to consider going back to college to get one. You will learn and grow as part of the experience, and taking the initiative to earn your degree will help you climb the corporate ladder.
Be Willing to Try
The biggest roadblock to your success is probably your own fear of failure. Oprah Winfrey suggests the following: “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” Be willing to tackle new challenges, volunteer to help when opportunities arise, and never allow yourself to sink into the background because you are afraid to try. You’ll find the corporate ladder is more accessible when you’re willing to put your feet on it and try new things.
Advancing in corporate America can seem impossible, but there are steps you can take to help you reach your goals. With the right education and attitude, you can accomplish anything. You may have to change jobs or move into another field, but the opportunities are out there. They are just waiting for you to seize them.
Michelle Poland is a full-time writer for higher ed blogs. Several schools offer MBA degrees, including executivemba.howard.edu and www.georgetown.edu.