Sarah Pietraszek-Mattner, PhD

Internal networking is just as critical as external networking if you are trying to advance within your company. Draw a circle with you in the middle. Then draw another circle around it, like you are making a bulls-eye. Now start thinking of influential people in your company network. The ones you know well, put close to you in your circle. The ones you know but don’t interact with much, put in the next circle outward. The people you don’t know yet but need to know you, put outside the outer circle. Now, identify the most important two or three people you’d like to move to your innermost circle, and draw an arrow from their name to where you want them to be. These are the people you focus on - how do you get them into your circle?

You don’t always have to leave your company to advance your career. Career advancement from Non-exec to exec roles is possible, but you have to help drive it. You do need to have a plan, an internal network to help you identify pain points, and your own special skill that sets you apart from everyone else. Then roll up your sleeves and make yourself That Great Person that everyone wants on their team!

You don’t always have to leave your company to advance your career. Career advancement from Non-exec to exec roles is possible, but you have to help drive it. You do need to have a plan, an internal network to help you identify pain points, and your own special skill that sets you apart from everyone else. Then roll up your sleeves and make yourself That Great Person that everyone wants on their team!

The best way to showcase yourself is to figure out what one of your company’s pain points is, and then address it, even if it’s not part of your job. Come up with a solution and make sure you are seen as the only person to fill that role. It doesn’t have to be huge - but it does need you to listen to one thing what senior management is concerned about and address it. One person I know listened to her senior leader mentor’s concerns about how teams were stymied with decision making. So she did her research and because an expert in Decision Quality. Then she applied it to her team. Her success and new skills set her apart. What is your unique thing you can bring to solve a pain point? Set yourself apart - take on the challenge.

A lot of people trip here because they don’t want to look too deeply at their finances. But this is a critical step, and if not done right it may force you to accept a role you don’t want, just to make ends meet. How much do you need to replace or improve on what you are leaving behind (especially if you are leaving things like a pension on the table)? What salary range is realistic in your chosen field and location? How can you make a higher salary happen? Also, know that taking a job to pay the bills is absolutely a valid answer if your situation demands it. It doesn’t mean you have to stop looking for what you want.

There is nothing better than primary sources for this research. The best way, by far, to explore your options is to talk to people about their careers. How did they decide on that career path? How did they land their job? What do opportunities in the industry look like today? What advice do they have for you? Be sure you are clear on the non-negotiables as you go through this exercise (work life balance, growth potential, values of the company, etc) but don’t box yourself into a corner too early. Talking with people can expose you to opportunities you may have never considered by just doing google research.