For those who are in job search, I would like to say that one of the most important criteria should be the choice of company. Therefore, you need to find out about the company, its reputation and the development of its team. Find out, if possible, whether the company has a habit of hiring and firing on a large scale and, if you are interviewing, ask how the organization contributes to the development of its people.

However, most professionals, when they think about their career, think about their qualifications, training, experience and the opportunities that a career in such a company will bring. But this is only possible when you make the right choice of the company you are going to work for.

In fact, recent research in Brazil showed that companies themselves generally see this as the career progression route they offer. These effects are very beneficial for employees’ careers and job satisfaction. However, they still remain largely underestimated in these organizations, but we will reveal them here.

In this article, I will list and explain all of these important “other ways” to advance your career. We hope that those reading this who are in the job search phase feel reassured, and I will now briefly comment on each of the above lists as follows:

Don't worry, especially during your job search, if you don't have a formal career plan. While most of us imagine that successful people are driven by a career path, recent interviews with high achievers have shown that this is not the case.

What these high-performing job seekers have in common is that they are driven by a challenge, or learning, or both.

Another common factor for success is being true to yourself, and this is where the flexibility to change roles within an organization is so important. You may need to pivot to find that niche where your personal goals align with the company's goals.

When this becomes a reality, the people around you will also feed on your positive motives, which will appear, and the subconscious affect will be very positive.

You will need to seize opportunities and actively seek them out. Previously, we talked about the increased flexibility organizations are allowing their employees to develop their careers.

The other, slightly negative side of this is that you are much less likely to be looked after than in previous years, and the days of promotion offered as your experience and length of service would place you next are much less likely than they once were.

It goes without saying that you will really need to take advantage of these opportunities, but if your personal goals are aligned with those of the organization, you will want to face the challenges that the promotion will offer you.

Don't be cynical about volunteering. Lift your head above the parapet and make your willingness to accept progression clear to your line managers and the right decision makers.

I will call politics the ability of high-ranking employees to (without necessarily fully realizing what they are doing, or for themselves call it “politics”), recognize those in the organization who cede power and influence to advance their careers.

This is best done through contacts made during projects and obviously includes developing good relationships through your contact through normal roles with higher levels of management. This is positive politics. Don't see it and don't use it as a knife-in-the-back policy, which it should never be.

You won't get opportunities unless you're in the right place at the right time. Some deliberately choose to work at headquarters.

Others rise through regional and branch offices, but make sure they remain visible through the use of policy and the sheer skill and effort in producing notable results that alone create the visibility you will need.

For most of us, this comes naturally, but it's still worth mentioning. Treat your colleagues well and how you would like to be treated. Help less senior staff with their work. 

Take on specialized expert roles, get involved in working groups and office committees, and make yourself available to colleagues who may need assistance with decision-making.

OK, this might take some of your time and reduce your main job performance to some extent. But those you help often work more efficiently after assistance is provided. Especially if they are part of your team, as they are much more likely to support you in your promotion when necessary.

This is particularly important for those whose vocation is the technical area and who are not looking for leadership positions to move up in an organization. Fully immerse yourself in all technical aspects of your chosen subject. Make the most of the willingness of the most enlightened companies to provide you with training.

Use politics and personal networks to build your reputation as an expert in your area of expertise. Do it if you can excel at what you do. Publish articles and publicize your position within the company and professional organizations of which you will be a member.

This will happen naturally if you are following your passion. However, be calculating and use all possible political and personal skills to assess the risks. Be it decision-making or even when starting a new product section of the organization.

Make sure you understand the relative merits of the upside along with the downside if you somehow fail.

Handle things well. Even a less favorable outcome can be turned to your advantage in most circumstances. Therefore, generally, your commitment to taking sensible risks in relation to new ventures will count a lot in your favor.

All of the above will develop over time to become your personal image. The way you see yourself and how others see you within the organization: your reputation.

As you move up the company structure, whether you are a manager or a technical expert, you attract more attention. And the most important and observed characteristic about you will be your reputation and how you maintain it.

Deliver what you promise, when you promise and within the allocated resources, time and cost. Your ability to deliver will sustain all your other efforts combined and you will be a success story attracting those around you to follow you.

Therefore, if the search for job It's your goal today, do it with energy and determination. Never forget the enormous opportunities that lie ahead in employment. Take the opportunity to build your own life experience, achieve wealth and fulfillment and “make a difference”.