How to: Plan attack to the top

Employees keen to take the next step in their careers need a plan of attack if they want to secure a promotion, experts say.

One of the key tips is to seek a mentor who can help identify your key skills and attributes.

Cre8tive Catalyst director Simone de Haas says people sometimes don’t recognise their own talents.

“Something that we don’t consider a skill, someone else may say ‘you are really good at that’,” Ms de Haas says.

“Someone who is really good at talking with people, for instance, may be working in an office administration role when they might make a really good sales person or HR representative.”

She says employees looking to get promoted should work out which skills could be transferable to another position.

“Is there someone in the workplace who can mentor them to take the next step,” she says.

“For people who are looking to go into a different type of work, find someone who is already in that type of work and organise to have a chat. Be honest with where you actually are with your career development.”

Neither should older people be deterred from seeking a promotion.

“One thing that a mature employee can bring to a role is the depth of experience that a younger employee might not have,” she says.

Australian Institute of Management SA chief executive John Stokes says employers are always on the lookout for “future leaders”.

“A lot of people don’t walk into their boss’s office and say ‘I need a promotion or else’,” he says.

“It’s about doing a bit more than other people and devoting time to build your skills up. Be prepared to do the extra-curricular things internally and externally, such as voluntary work or playing sport.”

He says people who show a preparedness to perform tasks that no one else wants to do is another way to get noticed.

“Also, be prepared to move to another location,” he says.

“Sometimes employees need to be proactive and talk to their manager about what qualifications they need and any courses they could be doing.”

Architect Adam Cunningham, 36, joined Hames Sharley three years ago. In that time, he has been promoted twice and now holds the position of associate.

He says there is no secret to climbing the corporate ladder.

“It all comes down to hard work, putting your hand up to be involved in as many projects as you can and being willing to take on more responsibility,” he says.

“In our industry, as you step up the corporate ladder, your ability to deal with clients and staff is increasingly important. I relished the opportunity to become more directly involved with clients.”

AVERAGE EXECUTIVE SALARIES

Chief financial officer: $120,000-$200,000
Commercial manager: $120,000-$180,000
Human resources director: $120,000-$200,000
Organisation development manager: $100,000-$140,000
Director of sales and marketing: $160,000-$200,000
Marketing manager: $95,000-$130,000
Salaried partner: from $130,000