Has your career development recently crossed your mind? Career progression, also referred to as career development, is the process of progressively climbing the corporate ladder. Expanding your knowledge, skill set, and responsibilities is just as important as receiving regular promotions and pay raises. It can also mean professional growth outside the context of an organization, as is the case with freelancers or entrepreneurs.

If you are thinking about career development, it indicates that you have given yourself enough time to take a step back and conduct the essential self-evaluation. Daily attention to detail at work is admirable, but so is periodically reviewing your professional growth. Long-term health benefits can result from being able to zoom out and assess where you are in your overall career trajectory. This is because it can provide you with fresh daily focus, energy, and motivation.

Are you making the right career decisions? Do you currently or in the future have a lot of opportunities for growth? Are you in a setting that supports your professional objectives? These are but a few of the inquiries you must eventually pose to yourself.

Let us share with you 5 strategies on how to evaluate your career development

1. Determine where you are in the organizational chart

An organizational chart is an important tool for understanding a company’s hierarchy of positions. It helps you define your current role and its importance to the organization. The position above you represents the immediate next step for your career, while the positions above serve as long-term goals. The chart can help map out your career development, such as becoming a Team Leader, Vice President or others. Access to the organizational chart may vary by company, but asking your manager or supervisor can signal your interest in career development.

2. Talk to your manager about your career path

Talking to your manager is important for self-checking career development. Managers have significant influence over career progression, assigning tasks, evaluating performance, and providing guidance. They can potentially promote you to a higher position. Before a promotion can be granted, it’s essential to discuss your desired next step with your boss. Both parties should understand what is required to achieve your goals. Providing your manager with your career growth desire can improve organizational performance, as bosses appreciate motivated workers who can utilize company resources to achieve your goals.

3. Make a self-assessment of your skills and your strengths and weaknesses

To improve your career, discuss your upskilling plans with your manager. Identify the necessary skills and knowledge needed for your next step and self-assess your career development. Evaluate your strengths, areas for improvement, and passions. Consider available training courses within or outside the organization to accelerate your career progression. Evaluate the feasibility of a training course in your current work situation and how it affects your projects and deadlines. Discuss this with your supervisor to ensure a suitable training schedule within your work week. This will help you stay on track with your career goals.

4. Use measurable standards to evaluate your progression

Your manager’s assessment of your performance and skills can provide valuable insights into your career progress. It’s essential to regularly check in with your manager to discuss your progress and identify areas for improvement. Key performance indicators (KPIs) can be used to evaluate your performance, to determine your readiness for higher roles. This assessment can also guide you on areas that need improvement to accelerate your career development. Clear, defined metrics provide a more objective and quantifiable view of your career development.

5. Accept more difficult task

To gauge career development, put your skills to the test and take on challenges. Experience is the best teacher, so ask your supervisor for tougher tasks and volunteer for bigger projects. Pass the test and prove to yourself and your manager that you are ready for the next step. Your willingness to take on greater responsibility and face challenges indicates a growth mindset. Realizing your career path requires preparation, assessment, and guts. Always be guided by a clear sense of direction and passion, regardless of your stage in career development.

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