2024 is your year and it is time to move on, internally or externally!

Here at Apollo Executive Search and in all the markets we serve through the global Kennedy network, we see that companies have difficulties finding the right talent. And in a booming market, retention also becomes more important. Especially here in France, the market is in big movement and many senior managers are currently on the move (partly because they have to as companies size down. Again).

Retention? Sure. No company wants to lose good people. But what does your employer do for you to stay? Where do you stand today in your career?

We have combined over 300 years in talent management on three continents and share them with you.

Here come 9 steps to make sure you will get that promotion or better job outside your current company this year:

  1. Analyze the status quo: a) Do you have a competitive profile (be critical and realistic yet ambitious with yourself)? b) Is a promotion possible in your organization because both you and the organization have the potential? c) Do you have a strong boss with a good standing internally? Draw your conclusion: If you lack a skill or a degree, go and get it. Leave organizations or bosses with low potential
  2. Become a top-performer: Be as good as you can in your current function before looking for something else. If you are not in the top 30% of your peer group, develop a plan to get there. Only once this is achieved, you can show you are ready to take on more responsibility
  3. Develop the right mind set: If you want to be a Director/ VP/ CEO tomorrow, think and act like a Director/ VP/ CEO today. Whether you feel that you can take the next step, is not relevant. Your superiors have to think it as they decide whether you get promoted or not. It is in your hands to show it: Become a trusted advisor to your boss. Show entrepreneurship. Offer solutions and do not bring problems. Prove yourself by making a point when you should, by supporting your boss and by giving her/ him open and professional feedback – if s/he is strong enough for you, s/he will appreciate as no one else will do that. Takers are losers, givers are winners
  4. Make a career plan: Determine a possible next step for you together with your superior. The most obvious step forward may not be the right one for you and maybe there are projects or internal vacancies you do not know about. A good boss will also tell you your areas to improve and help you to improve these. Develop SMART goals, set clear goals where you want to be by the end of the next quarter
  5. Find a mentor: In one of my last jobs, I had a mentor who was five levels higher ranked than my direct boss. Having a mentor, a senior leader within your organization, will a) give you enormous insight and help you to accelerate your learning curve and b) make you not untouchable but still protect you in a way and also give you higher importance
  6. Build a solid internal network: Whether you like politics or not, they will most probably matter in your current organization. Simply being the best is not enough. If you are on top of the organization, make sure the bottom stands behind you. If you are in the front-office, liaise with the back-office. If you are in the back-office, make sure you know the colleagues at the front. If you work in an international company, reach out to the colleagues abroad. Involve, seek advice and give feedback. This all will give you the credibility and standing you need for the next step
  7. Create a reputation: Better than talking about your achievements yourself is to have someone else talk about them. Make sure your potential is perceived, not only by your direct boss but also by higher ranked people. Have people in your company talk positively about you and become a person liked, respected and listened to
  8. Become dispensable: If you are already on management level, develop a successor. When I was transferred cross-border, my bosses asked me “can you leave the department without causing a dip in revenues?” Good for me that I had developed a strong number 2 who took over
  9. Follow-up: Revise your SMART goals every quarter. Are you on track? If not, what are the reasons? If these lie within your influence, correct the path. Maybe seek advice from your boss or a mentor. If the reasons are without your influence, bounce back to step 1 and consider changing department internally or looking for a new job


Conclusion:

In order to give your career a kick this year, there are only two alternatives for you: a) become a top-performer and get a promotion until the end of the year or b) seek a new job and help me and my colleagues all over the world to earn our fees and pay our rent!