Feeling Stuck? Here Is How You Can Negotiate Your Career

Not everyone goes through a smooth journey in their career. In fact, only a few people who discovered their career paths early in life have the luxury of enjoying a swift transition from one step to the next.

There will come a time when you will feel stuck, completely lost and without a clue what lies ahead for you.

Whether it’s a salary increase you need or simply not enjoying what you do anymore, you will be inclined to ask for a promotion or will simply opt to quit and look for another job.

But sometimes this transition is never that easy. To get what you want will mean negotiating your career. It will mean being vulnerable to get what you want.

It’s scary but at the end of the day, it’s about what you want.

Because sometime9o34 s getting another job or changing careers is not as easy as it sounds.

If by any chance you are ready for that change, settling for the first position you are offered isn’t always the brightest idea. Like salary can be negotiated, so too can your career. Here is how to do it;

1. Focus on your needs as well as your employer’s

You have heard it said so many times that negotiation isn’t only about you. Before you walk to your boss’s office to talk about your career, understand what exactly there is to negotiate.

You need to know what you are willing to sacrifice to get what you want as well as your employer.

“Every interaction you will have in your career is about your needs being met and your employer trying to get their needs met. Hence if you are looking to negotiate your career, quit making it about you,” says Ms. Esther Kamau, Corporate Staffing Services’ professional career coach.

What is important to you? What is important to your employers? What value are you bringing to the table?

For instance, if you are looking to negotiate your career in terms of what you earn, focus on the value you add to the company. Will the salary increased affect the quality of your wok or will it make you better?

These are the facts you need to have at the tip of your fingers if at all you are sure that a career boost is what you need.

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2. Don’t give an ultimatum 

The ‘promote me or I am leaving’ approach never works on anyone. Instead, it will get you fired if your boss feels like you are ungrateful.

When you think about it, promotions are not like a piece of candy you just ask for today and you are given. Organizations run on structures and processes and whether you care to admit it or not, a promotion may not be in the cards immediately you ask for it.

So what do you do? Be on the lookout.

For instance, when someone senior leaves the company in your department or any other department related to what you do, then you have a right to walk into your boss’s office and tell them you are interested in the position.

However they take it, whether they give you that promotion or not – at least you would have done your part.

And hey, by putting yourself out there, you are telling them than you are flexible and can take initiative and even if you don’t end up getting that job, when another one arises, be sure that you will be the first one to be considered.

3. Develop your networks

When we talk about networking, I am sure your mind instantly goes to going out there, attending networking events to create networks who will come in handy in the future.

Contrary to popular believe, that is not the only way to network. Start networking with those wound you – those you work with.

Ever wondered way the most incompetent people end up getting all the promotions? It’s because they have mastered the art of networking with what they have. They are not afraid to go out there, play golf with that director of finance while they know absolutely nothing about golfing. They create friendships that can turn into something positive for them.

We connect with the other person when we feel that we have something in common. That sales person playing golf with that senior manager every Saturday is giving an impression that there is something connecting them – golf and when a promotion comes, don’t be surprised to see them get ahead before you can count to three.

4. Master job interviews

There is never a right time to prepare for an interview.

With the job market today, you can never be certain that you will be enjoying the career path you choose in five years.

This is why you need to be prepared always. From time to time even when you feel like you don’t need a new job, book an appointment with an interview coach to keep your interviewing skills on point.

Think about speaking in public for instance. You may be a very good public speaker today, but without practice, you will end up right where you began – filler words, fidgeting, not able to compose yourself. There is an old adage that ‘practice makes perfect.’

You may not want a job now but investing in your future is the best thing you will ever do. You don’t want to be rushing to prepare for interviews when it hits you that your career needs to take a different direction.

What got you that job is not what will get you the next one, after all, tines change and so should you.

Your turn

How long have you been struggling with your career? Are you feeling in rut? Wondering if there is no way out of that dilemma? Wondering if you should quit? Why not have someone hold your hand through the transition – to guide and lead you to a place where you are yourself and feel at ease doing what you do? Email esther@corporatestaffing.co.ke to learn more about our personalized career coaching programme today.