Reading this at your 9-5 right now, and feeling stuck? We get it. When it comes to career moves and climbing the ladder, it can be hard to know where to start.
With that in mind, we partnered up with Swinburne Online—where business pros can undertake a flexible online MBA to level up their careers—to figure out exactly what steps you should take next time you're chasing a promotion.
To do this, we spoke to Claire Seeber, a leadership and career coach, speaker, trainer and author of Less Hustle, More Happy. We also gathered some expert insight from John Webster, Swinburne's Programme Director. When it comes to gunning for that next step up, few people are more in the know than these two—this is what they had to say on bagging yourself that next promotion.
Step 1: Get Clear On Your Next Move
According to Seeber, if you’re currently in a role where you're working 70 to 80 per cent of the working week without breaking a sweat—and still nailing it—this is a clear sign you’re ready for your next step.
Once you’ve clocked that it’s time to make a move, the next step is getting crystal clear on what you actually want. “If it's directly the next role up the ladder, great, but also consider that your next stretch opportunity could be a lateral move into a different team to broaden your skill set, or spearheading an important project,” Seeber says.
Step 2: Show That You’re Ready
“Once you’re clear on what next step you want to take, start gathering performance evidence,” Seeber advises. Consider the results you’ve delivered, the problems you've solved, the feedback you've received, and use them all to kick off a chat with your manager about your growth goals.
Seeber says it’s key to “operate at the level you want to be at before you’re there officially.” Be proactive—spot problems or opportunities for improvement before they even show up.
“Speak about your work in terms of impact, not just activity. This is a critical skill of strategic self-promotion, which goes a long way to your employer viewing you for your potential to provide further value, as opposed to just delivery of tasks in your current role,” Seeber explains.
Webster agrees, "Success will hinge on an ability to combine innovation with impact. Skills like ethical decision-making, entrepreneurial thinking, systems leadership, digital literacy and risk-based strategic planning are core to our MBA. These aren't just desirable—they're becoming essential."
This focus means programs like the Swinburne Online MBA can help mid-level pros looking to fast-track their careers. No prior degree? No probs. The program recognises professional experience as valid entry, making it more accessible for those already working in their field.
Step 3: Make Yourself More Valuable
“When trying to move up or around in the workplace, focus on building both your performance currency and your relationship currency,” Seeber says. Both are required for employers to invest in you and your growth.
When it comes to relationships, Seeber advocates for building a network within your organisation that goes beyond your immediate team—consider who you know, who knows you, and who you need to know to progress. Find a sponsor within your company—someone who’ll champion your growth behind closed doors, even when you’re not in the room.
Performance currency can be built through learning about the business you’re in, and how your work links directly to its results. “Develop your communication game,” Seeber says, “how do you communicate the work you do, and how do the people you work with need to hear it for them to understand it, support it, or act on it?”
You can also invest in performance currency through further education; an MBA curriculum blends technical performance with leadership, strategy, and communications skills to create a mindset built on agility. "Through our MBA, we embed this mindset by challenging students to apply emerging technologies, lead purposefully, and navigate risk with confidence across real-world scenarios," Webster says.
Step 4: Advocate For Yourself
Seeber points out that the old advice of “just keep your head down, work hard, and the rewards will come” might sound noble, but it’s a surefire way to get overlooked—and leave your career progression up to chance. “Hard work matters,” Seeber says, “but only if people actually know about it.”
To make sure your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, Seeber stresses the importance of building strong relationships, strategically promoting your value and ideas, and making sure they’re seen.
If you want to keep growing once you’re there, Seeber encourages being intentional with your work. “Set learning goals, not just job goals,” she says. To stay on track, say yes to things that challenge you, keep your network strong (don’t wait until you need something), ask for regular feedback, and check in with yourself about what career success really means to you.
Ready to chase your next big gig? Unlike traditional MBAs, the Swinburne Online program is fully online, meaning you can integrate learning into your workweek and apply insights immediately in your role—putting you on track to your next step.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Swinburne Online and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image: Urban List