Current:Home > MyLooking to advance your career or get a raise? Ask HR -Thrive Financial Network
Looking to advance your career or get a raise? Ask HR
View
Date:2025-04-13 10:40:12
Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”
Have a question? Submit it here.
Question: While I have excelled, I feel like I can do more (and make more) than what I do in my current position. I don’t see a path for advancing in my current organization. Should I tell my employer I’m looking for my next career step? Is this a good time to ask for a raise? – Corrine
Answer: Recognizing your potential for growth and seeking ways to grow your career are commendable. And your desire to significantly impact and earn more signifies ambition and drive.
Before initiating a conversation with your employer, however, it’s essential to assess your current situation. Consider if there are opportunities for advancement within your organization. Are there new projects, responsibilities, or training programs that could help you develop your skills and better demonstrate your value?
If internal growth seems limited, a strategic conversation with your manager can be beneficial. But instead of directly stating your desire to leave, focus on expressing your career aspirations and how you see yourself contributing to the company’s future. This approach can open a dialogue about potential in-house opportunities and growth paths.
When considering a raise, be prepared to present a compelling case. Gather data on your achievements, your value to the organization, and how your performance aligns with the company’s goals. Research industry standards and salary benchmarks to support your request.
Remember, career growth is a journey, not a destination. Whether you choose to explore opportunities within your current organization or seek external advancement, focus on your long-term goals and the steps you can take to achieve them.
Returnship?What is it and how can it help me reenter the workforce? Ask HR
I plan to graduate college with a degree in engineering next spring. I want to ultimately work in aerospace. My mother has recommended I get a mentor. I never really understood the role of a mentor, given that I have had teachers, academic and career counselors, managers, coworkers, and friends advise me throughout my educational career, and in internships. What is the benefit of having a mentor? How can they help propel my career? – Miles
A mentor can be a powerful asset as you transition from academia to your professional career, especially in a field as specialized and competitive as aerospace engineering. While you’ve had valuable guidance from teachers, counselors, and others, a mentor offers something different: a personalized, ongoing relationship focused on your long-term career growth and success.
One of the key benefits of having a mentor is gaining access to their experience and insights. Unlike a teacher or manager, who may guide you only in a specific context, a mentor can help you navigate the broader landscape of your industry. They’ve likely faced many of the challenges you will encounter and can provide advice tailored to your specific goals, helping you capitalize on opportunities and avoid common pitfalls.
A mentor can also help expand your professional network. In fields such as aerospace where connections can be crucial, having a mentor who can introduce you to the right people or recommend you for opportunities can be invaluable. They can also provide insights into the industry’s unwritten rules and help you understand the culture of different organizations, which can be critical when starting a career.
Moreover, a mentor can help you develop what I call power skills, such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for long-term success but might not be the focus of your academic training. They can challenge you to think critically about your career choices and push you out of your comfort zone in ways that foster personal and professional growth.
To find a mentor, look for someone whose career path you admire and who has the time and willingness to invest in your development. This could be a senior engineer from an internship, a professor with industry connections, or even someone you’ve met at a networking event or through a professional organization such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Ultimately, a mentor can provide tailored advice, open doors, and help you develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the aerospace industry. Building a strong mentor-mentee relationship will enable you to approach your professional future strategically and accelerate your career trajectory.
Constructive feedbackHow do I take workplace criticism as constructive and not a personal attack? Ask HR
veryGood! (25118)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon suffers gash on hand during end-of-game scrum
- Chants of ‘shame on you’ greet guests at White House correspondents’ dinner shadowed by war in Gaza
- Virginia EMT is latest U.S. tourist arrested in Turks and Caicos after ammo allegedly found in luggage
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon suffers gash on hand during end-of-game scrum
- New York Jets take quarterback on NFL draft's third day: Florida State's Jordan Travis
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products That Are Chemical-Free & Smell Amazing
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Paramedic sentenced to probation in 2019 death of Elijah McClain after rare conviction
Ranking
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Brewers' Wade Miley will miss rest of 2024 season as Tommy John strikes another pitcher
- Can a new dream city solve California’s affordable housing problem? | The Excerpt
- Noah Cyrus Fires Back at Tish Cyrus, Dominic Purcell Speculation With NSFW Message
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- How Drew Seeley Really Feels About Doing Zac Efron's Vocals in OG High School Musical
- College protesters seek amnesty to keep arrests and suspensions from trailing them
- Are you losing your hair? A dermatologist breaks down some FAQs.
Recommendation
Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
Frank Gore Jr. signs with Buffalo Bills as undrafted free agent, per report
Wild onion dinners mark the turn of the season in Indian Country
Tornadoes kill 2 in Oklahoma as governor issues state of emergency for 12 counties amid storm damage
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Now that's cool: Buy a new book, get a used one for free at Ferguson Books in North Dakota
Pasteurization working to kill bird flu in milk, early FDA results find
Russia arrests another suspect in the concert hall attack that killed 144