Current:Home > StocksLooking to advance your career or get a raise? Ask HR -Edge Finance Strategies
Looking to advance your career or get a raise? Ask HR
FinLogic FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-10 22:54:13
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! (2)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?