Taking Charge of Your Career

Children learn early that it's much easier to blame others than to take responsibility for their own mistakes. Unfortunately, as adults, many of us still use the "blame game" to pacify ourselves concerning life's bloopers. For example, rather than admitting that you should've left the house earlier, it's much easier to blame a cab driver for a late arrival to an appointment because after all-he was in the driver's seat.

However, when you look back over the past 10 years of your career and realize that you haven't advanced, there's only one person to blame-you. And the only way to ensure that you reach your proposed career destination on time is to jump in the driver's seat and step on the gas. Communication The first step in taking charge of your career advancement is clearly communicating your interest in a promotion, said Tom Thrower, general manager of Management Recruiters, an executive search firm in Oakland, CA. After placing mid- to upper-level managers in the health care field for more than 30 years, Thrower has found that the reason that many health care workers don't receive promotions is simply that they never ask. He explained that technologists must discuss expectations with employers and negotiate a time frame of work assessment and promotion to be considered for advancement. In her article, "Get Promoted,"1 Chicago Tribune columnist Carol Kleiman agreed that to be promoted, employees must communicate with managers to find out what is required for a promotion and clearly express their willingness to comply. "During performance appraisals, ask to be considered for a promotion, stating your eagerness and ability to move ahead," she said. Kleiman also encourages employees not to restrict communication to managers alone, but to "talk to everyone," including " your immediate supervisor, your supervisor's boss, the Human Resource Department and the vice president-who all may have a part in deciding whether or not to promote you. Let them know you are a player and want to be even more productive than you are now," she said. She also suggested speaking with the person presently in the position, obtaining incite on how to apply and do the job correctly. Establishing this form of healthy communication among co-workers, supervisors and employees can often be a daunting task. It is especially challenging in the health care profession, which is comprised of various cultures and languages, Thrower explained. However, if possible, employees might consider introducing a third person who speaks the primary language of the foreign party. This person can then help bridge the communication gap by translating your interest in a promotion to your supervisor. Be creative in establishing forms of communication. It is vital to career advancement. Increase Your Value In addition to communicating your desire for a promotion, it is equally important to qualify it through additives such as training and continued education. Thrower said that in searching for the top medical technologists in the field to fill management positions, his company typically looks for those with advanced degrees in the sciences. He explained that those who pursue advanced degrees are often more serious about their careers and "moving up" in their chosen field. "They have made the determination early that they don't want to just remain laboratorians [working at the bench], but they want to move into management," he said. It is also important to be thoroughly trained on the job, taking advantage of every available resource. A Job Well Done While it is vital to increase your knowledge of the job through training and continued education, knowledge can never replace the rewards of a job well done. According to Thrower, every employer wants an employee who "gets the job done" with maximum efficiency and accuracy. He explained that employees who are efficient are able to successfully complete daily tasks in a timely manner. However, he added that efficiency must accompany accuracy, which is most important. "There's no use getting a lot of work done if it is not done correctly," he said. Finally, Thrower stressed that one of the most important components in obtaining a promotion is the attitude of the employee. He/she must be someone who aims to "please the supervisor," he said. Though you qualify for a promotion through efficiency and accuracy, your attitude while working may be the determinate in your supervisor's final decision. Reference 1. Kleiman, C. Get promoted. Accessed Nov. 7 at http://houston.webpoint.com/job/promotion.htm. Terri Holloway is an editorial assistant at ADVANCE.