How do I prepare for a promotion or job change?

Summary of questions submitted: I'm ready for a bigger challenge. How do I prepare for a promotion or job change?

Dear Career Curator,

Congratulations! Take a moment and let it soak in. 

You have showed up for yourself and delivered great work, now you're ready for a new challenge. This is a very important step in your career, be sure to acknowledge the work you have put in to bring yourself to this point. Realizing that you are ready for the next step, whether it's a promotion or a completely new challenge is an internal nudge that often times points to your mastery of the skills you currently use day to day in your role. People will describe this feeling as boredom at first, but eventually realize they are only bored because the challenge is no longer as compelling as it once was. 

First, it's important to sure up your foundation. Take inventory of your skillset by performing a self-assessment. From your perspective, outline the opportunities you want to work on or feel you need to work on before your next step. Then, gather all of the performance related information you are able to find, including feedback from your manager, peers, and any direct reports. Make a comparison between your self-assessment and feedback you received while in your current role to create a list of skills you want to learn and things you want to improve about your performance. Some will be development points that you can easily begin working on today, like your communication skills, while others may require you to take a course in order to gain a new skill.

After you have outlined your development opportunities, start the work. If you know you need a specific skill to prepare for your next step, then enroll in the course or take the training. Look for internal opportunities within your company to gain the skill, but don't limit yourself to the training your company provides. Here's where it gets interesting, most people are reluctant to invest in their own development. Some for financial reasons, others simply because they believe their development should be supported by the company they work for. Both are challenges that can be overcome by first realizing that your investment in your career is yours. It does not belong to the company your work for. If you decide to leave the role you are in or the company you are currently working for, your skills and knowledge goes with you. It's nice to work for a company that will invest in your development, but that is not a requirement for the company and should not be a barrier to your development.

Finally, share your good news. Let people in your network know that you are successful in your current role and ready for a new challenge. Have your elevator pitch ready to share the key points of the work you want to do and your excitement about what is to come. People want to help you, but it's your job to let them know how they can help you. 

With encouragement,

Career Curator

P.S.

Curating your career can actually be fun if you allow yourself the space to make it so. You only get one shot at today, make the best of it so that tomorrow is even better.