Inquiring about career growth opportunities from your potential employer is never outside your boundaries. Having a clear perspective of your future with any organisation will save you from falling victim to career stagnation.
Deciding on the right job now is trickier than ever, it is not just about the paycheck or the environment, professionals are looking for opportunities to grow and move a mile in their careers. When I look at my career journey, I appreciate the fact that I chose growth over a paycheck sometimes. And I am not saying you should too, there are jobs that offer both. But when you grow in your career, you get to enjoy all that you missed at one time. Career growth comes with more opportunities, more knowledge and way more benefits.
If you are looking for an organisation that will offer career growth opportunities, these 3 key things will give you a head start during the interview;
1. Is this role a promotion or a demotion?
Ever sat in an interview and realized that the job at hand is way below your abilities, skill and experience? It is not about the job title but its specific responsibilities. An assistant in company X can hold greater responsibility than a manager in company Y. Consequently, you need to listen carefully during your interview for a general overview of the role in question. Is it giving you new skills or are the ones you have enough? Does the job present opportunities for big challenges? Are you actually going to learn something new in this role or is it just a basic role which won't need you to do a lot of work? If you held a supervisory role in your previous company, does this new role come with that type of responsibility as well? You need to ask all these questions during the interview.
On the brighter side, if the job offers room for new challenges, new skills to be developed, and more responsibilities to handle, that company will offer career growth opportunities. Every time you face new challenges, that is a suitable chance to grow. When it comes to career growth, do not look for comfort, look for challenges.
2. Where is my predecessor?
No, you are not being nosy by asking this. It's important for you to find out. Did they move on to a more prominent role in the company? Cheers to that! Was it just a bucket list item to join a bigger company elsewhere? That's good too. But you might want to think twice if they left the company out of depression, unmatched pay, or employee suffocation. One thing that kills a career progression is job hopping. If you do not hold a job for a long time, you reduce your chances to learn and grow in that role.
During your interview, get clarity on the foundation of the role before you go for it. When people leave a company without many good reasons, then you might not last either. Getting excited about a job you won't hold for long can do your career journey harm, especially if you are looking for career growth opportunities. But when your predecessor has been promoted or given a better position, then you can rest your mind knowing the future is bright for those who prepare for it.
3. Is the future promising or it's a no-deal?
You can confirm with your gut if that's the place to be as you go through your interview. There is always that certainty that comes with the right job. Your interviewers will ask and answer the right questions, and the general environment screams, “This is the place to be!” You do not need a given formula to confirm this, just a few checks during the interview will help you know if it is a yes or no.
During the interview for my current job, I clearly remember the emphasis one of the panellists kept making. He kept saying that they would train me on a couple of things. The role was new to me, but I wanted to give it a try. During the interview, I got the feeling that the company would make me the best version of myself. It was not about what I was offering, but where they wanted me to be in order to serve the company better. It is two years down the road, and I have been promoted already. I love my job more than ever because I grew into it. Your interview can always give you the hint you are looking for. What are they saying about your career growth, how about educating you further? If all of these points are ticked off, then this is the career growth opportunity you have been waiting for.
Being intentional about wanting career growth opportunities from a potential employer is not too much to ask for. You deserve to grow and need to. The best way to build a solid foundation for your career is to be part of companies that want to see you learn and grow. Do not be in a hurry to get a new job, reflect on the future of your career, and then make your decision.
Want to grow fast in your career? You might want to read this.
