Current:Home > Contact-usLooking to advance your career or get a raise? Ask HR-LoTradeCoin
Looking to advance your career or get a raise? Ask HR
View Date:2024-12-24 07:35:37
Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”
Have a question? Submit it here.
Question: While I have excelled, I feel like I can do more (and make more) than what I do in my current position. I don’t see a path for advancing in my current organization. Should I tell my employer I’m looking for my next career step? Is this a good time to ask for a raise? – Corrine
Answer: Recognizing your potential for growth and seeking ways to grow your career are commendable. And your desire to significantly impact and earn more signifies ambition and drive.
Before initiating a conversation with your employer, however, it’s essential to assess your current situation. Consider if there are opportunities for advancement within your organization. Are there new projects, responsibilities, or training programs that could help you develop your skills and better demonstrate your value?
If internal growth seems limited, a strategic conversation with your manager can be beneficial. But instead of directly stating your desire to leave, focus on expressing your career aspirations and how you see yourself contributing to the company’s future. This approach can open a dialogue about potential in-house opportunities and growth paths.
When considering a raise, be prepared to present a compelling case. Gather data on your achievements, your value to the organization, and how your performance aligns with the company’s goals. Research industry standards and salary benchmarks to support your request.
Remember, career growth is a journey, not a destination. Whether you choose to explore opportunities within your current organization or seek external advancement, focus on your long-term goals and the steps you can take to achieve them.
Returnship?What is it and how can it help me reenter the workforce? Ask HR
I plan to graduate college with a degree in engineering next spring. I want to ultimately work in aerospace. My mother has recommended I get a mentor. I never really understood the role of a mentor, given that I have had teachers, academic and career counselors, managers, coworkers, and friends advise me throughout my educational career, and in internships. What is the benefit of having a mentor? How can they help propel my career? – Miles
A mentor can be a powerful asset as you transition from academia to your professional career, especially in a field as specialized and competitive as aerospace engineering. While you’ve had valuable guidance from teachers, counselors, and others, a mentor offers something different: a personalized, ongoing relationship focused on your long-term career growth and success.
One of the key benefits of having a mentor is gaining access to their experience and insights. Unlike a teacher or manager, who may guide you only in a specific context, a mentor can help you navigate the broader landscape of your industry. They’ve likely faced many of the challenges you will encounter and can provide advice tailored to your specific goals, helping you capitalize on opportunities and avoid common pitfalls.
A mentor can also help expand your professional network. In fields such as aerospace where connections can be crucial, having a mentor who can introduce you to the right people or recommend you for opportunities can be invaluable. They can also provide insights into the industry’s unwritten rules and help you understand the culture of different organizations, which can be critical when starting a career.
Moreover, a mentor can help you develop what I call power skills, such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for long-term success but might not be the focus of your academic training. They can challenge you to think critically about your career choices and push you out of your comfort zone in ways that foster personal and professional growth.
To find a mentor, look for someone whose career path you admire and who has the time and willingness to invest in your development. This could be a senior engineer from an internship, a professor with industry connections, or even someone you’ve met at a networking event or through a professional organization such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Ultimately, a mentor can provide tailored advice, open doors, and help you develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the aerospace industry. Building a strong mentor-mentee relationship will enable you to approach your professional future strategically and accelerate your career trajectory.
Constructive feedbackHow do I take workplace criticism as constructive and not a personal attack? Ask HR
veryGood! (41)
Related
- Man accused of killing American tourist in Budapest, putting her body in suitcase: Police
- AP Top 25: Alabama overtakes Texas for No. 1 and UNLV earns its 1st ranking in program history
- Sister Wives: Christine Brown and Robyn Brown Have “Awkward” Reunion
- 'Multiple' deaths reported after single-engine plane crashes in North Carolina
- Don't Miss Cameron Diaz's Return to the Big Screen Alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action Trailer
- How often should you wash your dog? Bathe that smelly pup with these tips.
- Kris Kristofferson mourned by country music icons Dolly Parton, more: 'What a great loss'
- What Nikki Garcia's Life Looks Like After Filing for Divorce From Artem Chigvintsev
- Watch out, Temu: Amazon Haul, Amazon's new discount store, is coming for the holidays
- MLB playoff field almost set as Mets and Braves will determine two NL wild-card spots
Ranking
- Federal judge orders Oakland airport to stop using ‘San Francisco’ in name amid lawsuit
- Kris Kristofferson mourned by country music icons Dolly Parton, more: 'What a great loss'
- Every Bombshell From This Season of Sister Wives: Family Feuds, Money Disagreements and More
- A dockworkers strike could shut down East and Gulf ports. Will it affect holiday shopping?
- Will the NBA Cup become a treasured tradition? League hopes so, but it’s too soon to tell
- Opinion: Treating athletes' mental health just like physical health can save lives
- Trump is pointing to new numbers on migrants with criminal pasts. Here’s what they show
- Missing a beat, streaming service Spotify is back after a temporary outage
Recommendation
-
California researchers discover mysterious, gelatinous new sea slug
-
Key Senate race in Arizona could hinge on voters who back Trump and the Democratic candidate
-
Red Sox honor radio voice Joe Castiglione who is retiring after 42 years
-
3 easy mistakes can be deadly after a hurricane: What to know
-
Engines on 1.4 million Honda vehicles might fail, so US regulators open an investigation
-
Rebel Wilson Marries Ramona Agruma in Italian Wedding Ceremony
-
At least 64 dead after Helene’s deadly march across the Southeast
-
Josh Allen's fresh approach is paying off in major way for Bills