MOVING UP THE CAREER
LADDER
10 surefire ways to get
to the top
by Tina Williams / Arranged by Dean Walker
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Objective
 The student will learn:
What takes to move up
the corporate ladder
The steps involved to
make it happen
Who can help
2
Pre-Assessment
QUESTION 1
 Co-workers who may be in a position to
promote or take you with them to a higher
level can best be described as:
A. Working in a team
B. Creating your own destiny
C. Finding a mentor
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Pre-Assessment
QUESTION 2
 Dressing professionally and accepting
responsibility is best described as:
A. Selling Yourself
B. Networking
C. Acting the Part
4
Pre-Assessment
QUESTION 3
 Getting to know what your leader
does/likes outside of work is best described
as:
A. Selling yourself
B. Bonding with the Boss
C. Finding a mentor
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Tip #1 – Find a Mentor
 Someone who has been around longer than
you.
 Someone to learn the ropes
 Someone who can help you create a long
term career plan:
They’ve been there before
They can offer guidance
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Tip #2 – Keep a Journal
 Record and file achievements
 Your lead in company successes
 Helps measure and quantify results
 Keep a record of:
How you saved the company $$$
Creative ideas
Your commitment to the company
“THOSE WHO GET RESULTS GET AHEAD”
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Tip #3 – Sell Yourself
 Can do attitude
 Think and act a level above
 Pay attention to those at the top
 Convey confidence
 Treat yourself as a product you
are trying to promote
 What are your best strengths
 Promote yourself and advertise
your accomplishments
 Always make note of cost savings
or increases in profits
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Tip #4 – Bond with the Boss
 Understand company values and priorities
 Align efforts with goals and objectives
 Know bosses personal and professional goals
 Be their lieutenant
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Tip #4 – Bonding Cont’d
 She/he will control your promotion
 Always do a good job for them
 They will recommend you to others
 Let your leader know of your desire
to stay with the company
 Ask what your next step on the ladder
is, and how you can get there.
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Tip #4 – More Bonding
 Get to know what your boss
likes outside of work
 What are his hobbies
 What’s his/her family like
 Bring up this subject during
 Parties or
 Conferences
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Tip #5 – Be a Life Long Learner
 Get an education
No replacement for starting with a great
education
 Always be willing to learn
More of what you already know
A lot of what you don’t know
 Dream beyond the job description
Don’t be limited by what you’re assigned to do
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Tip #5 – Be a Life Long Learner
 Stay current with advances in technology
 Work beyond achievements that are
expected
 Learn as much as you can about the
industry you are in and events outside of
your industry
Consider yourself a free agent
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Tip #6 – Network?
 Use resources to get into corporate
world
 Get to know as many people in the
company as possible
 Get to know as many people in the
industry as possible
 Does not stop once you have the
job
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Tip #7 – More Please!!
 Don’t just put in your hours
 Volunteer to work in other departments
 Ask for more work
Learn more about what you are studying in
school
Increases value within the organization
 The more people you know, the more your
name is mentioned
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Tip #8 – Act the Part
 Dress professionally
 Become a resource
 Express appreciation
 Dare to be different
 Stand out
 Always remain
positive
 Know one likes a
complainer
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Tip #8 – Act the Part
 Be a trendsetter
 Accept responsibility
when things go wrong
 Don’t watch the clock
 Be willing to work
until the work is
complete
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Tip #9 – Teamwork
 Supervisors look carefully at how you work
on a team
 Win friend and influence others
 Working on teams is the key
Demonstrates you can work with others
Willing to assist or be assisted to accomplish a
task
Team members may be in a position to promote
or take you with them to a higher level
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Tip #10 - Create your Destiny
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5 Ways to Move up the Corporate Ladder
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5 Ways to Not Get Promoted
DONT’S
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DON’TS
 Go to work without
having a plan
 Do the minimum
 Rely on what you
know when you begin
the job
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DON’TS
 Voice your complaints
 Take all the credit for
work done by another
or by a group
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Post-Assessment
QUESTION 1
 Co-workers who may be in a position to
promote or take you with them to a higher
level can best be described as:
 Answer
A. Working in a team
24
Post-Assessment
QUESTION 2
 Dressing professionally and accepting
responsibility is best described as:
 Answer
A. Acting the Part
25
Post-Assessment
QUESTION 3
 Getting to know what your leader
does/likes outside of work is best described
as:
 Answer
A. Bonding with the Boss
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Activity
 Update your Digital Portfolio:
Record your achievements
Show evidence of leadership in project
successes
Show evidence of 21st Century Skills
Document creative ideas you came up with
Your commitment to life long learning
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