Guide to professional Growth

July 28, 2024

I've often given the same advice to friends, family, and colleagues, so I decided to document it.

I began my career as a Software Developer but soon transitioned into a role involving recruitment, training, management, and mentoring of new starters. People often ask how I made this shift. While it felt natural at the time, looking back, I can identify what facilitated the transition. Anyone can land a job in any industry and have a simlar transition with the right approach. Here are my tips:

  1. Be visible
  2. Understand your company's goals
  3. Be memorable
  4. Do the job you want, not the job you have

1. Be visible

Ensure your boss knows who you are and what you do. This will build your credibility and make your name well-known.

  • Take credit - Put your name on everything you create. Document a process in a Word doc? Put your name at the top.
  • Share ideas - If you have an idea, show it to your boss (Good ideas might be implemented; bad ideas will teach you valuable lessons and put your name on their radar.)

Note: It's important to identify the right person to target your visibility too. It should be the person with the power to promote you.

2. Understand your company's goals

Every company has goals, whether explicit or implicit.

  • Seeing lots of new hires? Think about potential process issues that could arise.
  • Not many projects? Consider how to boost sales.

3. Be memorable

Similar to Tip 1, Stand out by being unique.

For me, this was easy. I work in tech, but most of my friends are tradies. Sharing my weekend stories made me memorable because they found them unusual.

4. Do the job you want, not the job you have

If you want to move into management, start managing.

When new starters joined my office, I offered help frequently. New people always need help but might not ask. After solving a few problems, they began coming to me for assistance, turning me into a mentor. This naturally led to more responsibility.

I am interested in your thoughts.

Have you had a simlar experience?
Or maybe a conflicting one?
Please leave a comment below.