How to accelerate career growth in an existing job
Proactively nurturing opportunities that propel growth
Your career growth hinges on the velocity with which you learn and acquire new skills. The most effective way to grow is to be in a role that forces you to learn and develop. The scope and opportunities will propel you more than any book, course, or degree. This is why choosing the right company, product, scope, and team is critical. However, once you are in an existing job, it’s even more important to continuously expand and enrich your opportunities. As you become more senior, switching jobs isn't always feasible or sustainable. The key is to ensure your scope and opportunity portfolio stay ahead of your current competency to avoid stagnation.
In this blog post, I will share my experience on how to invigorate your existing job with opportunities that will accelerate your career growth.
Why it matters
When you're working on exciting product opportunities, growth is organic. Challenges motivate you to learn. High-velocity projects compel you to be productive. Encountering problems at a healthy pace triggers creativity. In essence, rich opportunities expedite career growth. Delivering on these opportunities makes you more valuable to your employer and the industry.
Yet, many of us fail to proactively seek and secure growth opportunities. Inertia is the primary reason. It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind. There’s also the fear of failure. Lastly, many hesitate to express their aspirations to find such opportunities.
How to nurture opportunities in an existing job
How and when to seek new opportunities or expand your existing role depends on your career aspirations, phase, and personal situation. Here’s an approach that should apply in most scenarios.
1. Cover the basics
First, ensure you are meeting or exceeding expectations in your current job. This is especially important in today's job market. Your last performance review should clarify your standing, but have a conversation with your manager and skip-level to confirm you are performing at or above the expected level. Knowing you are valued will improve your chances of your employer helping you explore bigger and better opportunities.
2. Assess your brand
In an ideal world, bigger or newer opportunities would come naturally as you earn credibility. But that’s not the case in practice. Even when you get handed bigger scopes as you earn your credibility, they may not necessarily align with how you want to grow. So, you need to be intentional about which opportunities you attract, and it starts by assessing your brand. Is your work known within your organization? How do people perceive you? What questions or problems do they seek your opinion on? This will ground you in reality. If there’s an alignment between your current brand and what you aspire to, leverage your brand. If you seek opportunities outside of your current expertise, you will need to build a roadmap to get there, which in itself will trigger growth. For instance, if you are known for technical prowess but seek a customer-facing role, you will need to reestablish your brand.
3. Define your desired opportunity portfolio
Based on your career goals, define the opportunities that will move you closer to those goals. People management, customer-facing products, enterprise vs. consumer, and AI products are common considerations for your next opportunities. Internalize why you seek these new opportunities to counter the shiny-object-syndrome. Mark what’s non-negotiable and what’s nice to have. Evaluate those against your strengths, weaknesses, and career goal proximity.
4. Express your desire with your trusted network
This is where most people falter. We fear getting a no. Most of all, we fear ruining the rapport with the manager. If you frame it appropriately, sharing your appetite for fresher, better, or bigger opportunities with your manager shouldn’t hurt your relationship. Treat your manager as an ally in exploring something better for you. Be open to negotiate, especially on transition timelines, so you can reach a win-win for both of you. Additionally, articulate your desire with people you trust who can point you in the right direction. In larger organizations, it’s normal to reach out to potential hiring managers to seek newer opportunities. Have curiosity connects to explore current and future opportunities. If you are lucky enough to have options, assess these opportunities against brand alignment, career aspiration, and team culture to maximize success in the new role.
5. Prime yourself to attract desired opportunities
If hiring managers are not immediately interested in hiring you, you will need to build a roadmap to position yourself for future opportunities. Start by developing thought leadership in your desired area. This involves sharing your expertise and insights through blog posts, presentations, or participation in relevant forums. By establishing yourself as a knowledgeable and influential voice, you enhance your visibility and credibility within your organization and the broader industry. Thought leadership not only showcases your expertise but also demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Volunteering to build and showcase new skills is another key aspect of your roadmap. Look for opportunities to take on projects or roles within your organization that align with your career goals. For instance, if you aim to transition into a customer-facing role, volunteer to lead customer feedback sessions or join cross-functional teams working on customer-centric initiatives. These experiences allow you to acquire relevant skills and demonstrate your capability in new areas. Additionally, seeking out special projects, task forces, or committees can provide valuable exposure and learning opportunities that align with your aspirations.
Seeking formal training and certifications is also essential for bridging any skills gaps and enhancing your qualifications. Identify relevant courses, workshops, or certification programs that align with your career goals and the requirements of your desired role. Investing in continuous education not only equips you with the necessary skills but also signals your dedication to professional development. Additionally, leverage internal training programs, attend industry conferences, and participate in professional development networks to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices. By systematically building your skills, expertise, and professional network, you position yourself as a strong candidate for future opportunities within your organization.
Conclusion
Your career growth is your responsibility, and taking charge of it requires intentionality and action. Proactively seek and nurture growth opportunities within your current role by covering the basics, assessing your brand, defining your desired opportunity portfolio, and expressing your aspirations within your trusted network. Don't let inertia or fear of failure hold you back. Embrace challenges and continuously push your boundaries to stay ahead of your current competencies.
Remember, your career trajectory depends on your ability to create and seize opportunities. Invest in developing thought leadership, volunteering for new roles, and seeking formal training to position yourself as a valuable asset within your organization. By doing so, you not only enhance your own growth but also contribute significantly to your team's and company's success. Take the initiative today to build a dynamic and fulfilling career that continuously evolves and propels you forward.