There are many reasons why individuals chose to embark on career advancement. For some, it is the pressure of increasing financial obligations that is the catalyst; yet there are those for whom ambition is the key motivator. Whilst the reasons "why" are many, there are just a few answers as to how it can be done.

Will Your Move Be Upwards, Across or Completely Out?

For those who are unemployed, there is only one way - to get a job. For those who already have employment, though, the answer is not so straightforward. To begin with, you must be honest with yourself and identify what it is you really are. Carefully analyse your work habits and what you have already achieved. This will help you in deciding which direction you are going to take. It is obvious that if you have not been particularly productive, your chances for a serious promotion within the company will be limited. In this case, it is better to look outside the company for a new start.

If you are happy working with your existing organization and you are only after a small change, then a sideways movement to another department may be the way to go. If you consider yourself to be a conscientious worker but are concerned that your hard work will be overlooked, consider the fact that a promotion may be possible after all.

Preparation Cannot Be Overstressed

If you are going to be successful in advancing your career, you must be prepared. It is incredible the amount of information that can be obtained in as short a time period as one week. Even without experience in the ultimate job, if you have a significant amount of knowledge and can express this in the interview, you will have a distinct advantage over the competition. This does not mean just being able to "speak the language', either - you must be prepared to dip deeper than just the surface level, possibly even investigating the current trends in the specific industry.

It may also work to your advantage if you include certificates of professional training. It is possible to gain qualifications online in certain fields and this will also help you to stand out from the other candidates.

Compiling an Excellent Resume

A resume will often be the pivot upon which a candidate is decided. One salient piece of advice is to never submit the same resume twice. Be sure that for every interview, the resume is customized to the job description. Whilst it may seem that this is extra work, it can provide the desired result.

Your resume should always concentrate on the skills that you need to be the number one candidate for the position. For example, if this job entails international sales, your experience in foreign language training and sales experience would be considered a distinct advantage. If you do not have formal experience in a particular job, it is vital that you include a specific area of the resume that lists your skills and qualifications. Be sure to include any well researched knowledge you have of the duties of the position. If you do not possess this knowledge, you will need to obtain it!

The Interview

If you have carefully prepared your resume, the chances are that you will be selected for interview. To prepare yourself adequately for the interview, it is necessary to create a list of everything relevant in your experience. This may include such things as your best achievement, the most difficult project, your strengths and weaknesses, your good work habits and so on. When you check through this list before you go in for the interview it will be much easier to answer the majority of the questions.

It is essential that you are prepared to answer the "standard" questions. The majority of interviewers stick with the more general questions such as "How would you describe yourself?" or "How would your previous employer describe you?" Under no circumstances should you engage in any negative comments regarding previous employers: this will create concerns that you are a difficult employee.

Keep Up The Good Work

With your preparation and some good luck, you will be successful in gaining the position. Hard work and consistent results right from the moment you gain the position will be noticed - even if this is with the same company. These good first impressions will be a bonus for a considerable time. Keep up the good work and the success will continue.

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