How to Advance Your Career without Leaving Your Current Job

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You love your job, and you're ready to move up in the company ranks. Follow these tips to build a pattern of success that will help you grow professionally.

Step 1: Have an open mind and a willingness to work
Have an open mind and a willingness to work hard for success. Approach every project as an opportunity to learn new things, have new experiences, and grow as a leader.

Step 2: Look for ways to make your company better
Look for ways that you can help your company be a better place. Find ways to increase revenue, improve customer satisfaction, or minimize costs or waste.

Tip
Ask your boss for more responsibilities in your current job to help you build your skills and gain experience. Show that you're willing to help however you can.

Step 3: Help your boss whenever you can
Help your boss or supervisor whenever you can. Prove to them that you are a valuable employee. Make them look successful, in turn making your entire department successful.

Step 4: Take classes to build skills and knowledge
Take night or weekend classes or workshops to build your skills and knowledge. Talk with your boss about skills you can gain to better help the company.

Tip
Ask if your current employer will pay for your classes or workshops. If the classes will help the company, they might pay for all or part of the course fees.

Step 5: Communicate your successes
Track data that supports your successful contributions to the company. Communicate results to your boss in an email or through your quarterly or annual reports.

Step 6: Be a good teacher to anyone you supervise
Be sure that anyone you supervise receives the training and support they need to succeed. Don't be the only one who knows how to do your job or you might miss a chance for promotion.

Tip
Find a mentor in the company -- someone whose leadership style and work ethic you admire. Have informal chats with them to talk about how you can build your skills.

Step 7: Be passionate but professional
Be passionate about what you do, but maintain a professional attitude. Keep working hard and showing that you are a valuable employee. Soon you will be on the road to success.

Did You Know?
A 2008 study by the U.S. Census Bureau showed that workers with a bachelor's degree earned nearly $26,000 a year more than workers with only a high school degree.