Seven proven strategies for career advancement

Careers just don’t happen, not by accident or by luck. There is a lot of commitment involved in setting and achieving goals, and accepting new challenges. The changing workplace demands you to choose your own career path. Here are some effective strategies to incorporate into your career advancement:

Develop professionalism: Professional work behavior along with appropriate appearance will go a long way towards career success.
-- Take responsibility for your action
-- Don’t indulge in gossips
-- Don’t hold grudges
-- Share the credit
-- Exhibit flexibility. Be open to the views of others.
-- Dress successfully.

Acquire skills: Read as much as you can to increase the knowledge. Knowing more about the industry will make you an asset to your boss eyes. Be proactive in learning new skills and getting cross trained in multiple jobs.

Be innovative: Never be afraid to think outside the box and put your business acumen to work. Keep looking for solutions to creative problems that make you and your boss look better.

Build rapport: Building a rapport with your boss is extremely important to make your career and work in a healthy atmosphere. Strive to be on time, meet your deadlines, be a team player, present yourself professionally and do the extra mile in the varying difficulties at work. You can really build a bond with your boss.

Net work effectively: Stay in touch with people you like and respect even if they can't help you immediately. Share knowledge, make recommendations and build trust. Help others achieve what they want and they in turn will help you achieve your goals.

Be visible: It is important to be visible. Be on top of the mind of your employer. The more visible you are, the better you will establish yourself as a subject matter expert. Being in the spotlight will add your value to the organization.

Team player: Be responsible, show people you are willing to work hard and learn more. Take each team-member seriously. Never make presumptions about someone's ignorance or knowledge. Ego and seniority should never stop a team from working towards an efficient solution.
Take control of your professional future and make sure you are progressing wisely down the right career path.