“There is no one else who can speak up for what you want in your career, but yourself.”
Do you think you’re ready to take that next step to rise up your own career ladder? Are you having some doubts that your company might decline? Are you willing to take the risk to face your boss and ask for a raise?
Attempting to advance your career during tough times can be quite challenging – but it’s not impossible. The Filipino Times spoke with Jonathan Yabut, the Filipino winner of the hit Asian reality TV show The Apprentice Asia and a leading motivational speaker on five tips that OFWs and Filipinos and general can learn
(1) You don’t need to say “yes” to every opportunity of success. In today’s time, focus is the currency for success, so it pays when and how to say “no” to things that only distract you.
(2) When you stand up for what you believe is right, do not feel bad when people criticize you. When your teammates label you as the “teacher’s pet” because you have proven that a challenging report can be submitted on time (and they haven’t)-that’s their problem, not yours. Shrug off criticisms from the bullies and continue doing your best at work.
(3) Likeability trumps competency at work. No matter how smart or senior you are, your ability to influence people weakens when people simply do not want to work with you. Be self-aware of how likeable you are at work. Ask for feedback not just from your boss, but also from your colleagues or third party agencies who work with you.
(4) Being aware of your strengths, aside from your weaknesses, can lead you to answers on how to climb the corporate ladder faster: Do your strengths match the job position you want? Does this company value your strengths? Are you happy with the strengths you have today?
(5) Don’t just work for the money. Work to learn. Work for the knowledge. Work for the dignity of doing something for others. Work for sharing what you have with those who don’t have. When you see work as means to help others and means to foster happiness, you see the higher purpose of doing it.
For those who have been in overseas job market for quite sometime already yet are not advancing in their chosen field, Yabut contends that the duty to vocalize what you want with your career is in you. “While your boss, the HR department, or the management have your interests at heart, there is no one else who can speak up for what you want in your career, but yourself.” Understand that everyone in the corporate world has a busy life. “Sometimes all you need to do is to nudge or ask your boss for a coffee meeting and share your thoughts about your progression. Sit down for an hour and ask what can you do to fast track your growth. Do not feel shy to ask this from your boss. It is their duty to groom your careers and develop you into the next company rockstar.”
by Joanne Rico MPRCA
