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Two Keys to a More Successful Career

  Are you worried that you might not have what it takes to make it on the job in the future? You’re not alone. In a survey of 100 personnel managers by the Cambridge Human Resource Group, a consulting firm, more than 40% said that their firms’ employees worry about what talents and abilities will be expected of them in the future.

Below are two broad themes to remember for improving your odds of on-the-job success:

1. Further your education. Consider these telling statistics: For every dollar earned by a college graduate, the average high school grad makes about 57%. Holders of doctorate and professional degrees take home roughly twice as much as those who have B.A.’s. A fast-tracker’s learning curve shouldn’t end with any particular degree. By building up new skills at work, you stand to enhance both your career and salary.

  What abilities are most sought after in corporate America today? Computer know-how for starters. Workers who use PCs to ply their trade earn roughly 10% to 15% more than those who don’t. Other top talents include technical writing ability and managerial wizardry. Regardless of your line of work, in our global economy foreign languages can give you added leverage. As a banker, think of the edge you’ll have with a fluency in Spanish; if you’re a corporate lawyer, think of the punch you’ll pack with crack Japanese. Luckily there are plenty of places that can help keep your skills competitive. Hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide offer executive education seminars and short courses. For a quick tune-up in a specific area, say, negotiating prowess, don’t forget community colleges and professional associations; many offer a wide range of career classes.

2. Don’t thumb your nose at lateral moves. “Up” would seem the only logical career climber’s destination. As corporations continue to strip away management layers, however, you can count on more job openings to be sideways moves. In fact, over the next decade roughly half of all job moves are expected to be lateral ones, not vertical. Such career zigzags can carry you farther than you might think.

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  By testing out new opportunities in other departments and divisions at your current employer, you may gain valuable experience, not to mention great networking contacts and a better view of how the overall firm functions. Although your pay and prestige probably won’t spike right away, such experiences can help stem job boredom, broaden your career prospects, and eventually help you to move vertically. So if you’re in a rut and don’t see much chance for a step up at work, ask your boss for a lateral transfer.