How to thrive by strategically planning your moves up the career ladder

Setting and reaching your career goals by climbing the career ladder takes planning, determination, and following a career path that is best suited for you. But how do you do it?

In this article, you’ll discover:

• What is a career ladder?

• What is the difference between a career ladder and a career path?

• What is an example of a career pathway and a career ladder?

• What are the five stages of a career?

• How do you climb the career ladder?

• What is a career progression plan?

• How do I make a career plan?

Knowing how to plan the climb up the corporate career ladder will increase your visibility and present you with significant career opportunities benefitting both you and the organization.

What is a career ladder?

A career ladder is a metaphor for the upward trajectory of one’s career. The rungs of a career ladder are higher positions within your career that you earn through hard work and experience, gradually progressing into new positions with more responsibilities and greater pay.

What is the difference between a career ladder and a career path?

A career path lays out the direction you take to achieve your career goal and the sequential jobs to reach your goal. For example, if a recent college graduate's goal is to become a senior-level executive at a Fortune 500 IT company, that person will need to climb the career ladder. Unless you start your own business and it becomes a Fortune 500 company, or nepotism plays a part, you will have to create a career path and use the career ladder.

What is an example of a career pathway and a career ladder?

In our above example of a recent college graduate with a goal to become a senior-level executive for a fortune 500 IT company, let’s look at a possible career path.

The path that this ambitious career seeker has chosen points to an executive track. While carving out the career path, part of the plan is to climb the career ladder, and the steps may look something like this:

1. Intern

2. Associate Project Manager (PM)

3. PM

4. Senior PM

5. Program Manager

6. Vice President of IT

7. Senior President in Charge of IT Operations

As you can see, the career path led to the goal of an executive position. Climbing the career ladder started the executive off as an intern and culminated with the position of Senior President in Charge of IT Operations, with multiple positions along the way.

A well-thought-out path will allow you to successfully climb the career ladder.

If you seek personal advice, Career.io’s Career path builder can help you plan and build your career path.

What are the five stages of a career?

With a career ladder, you can move from company to company and even industry to industry to reach your career goal.

However, you will typically follow five stages through your career.

1. Exploration – This is the period in our lives before we enter the workforce and try to figure out what career path we should take. 

2. Establishment – This stage is the introduction to the workforce. This is where we build our foundation by learning skills, gaining experience, and increasing industry knowledge via specific education and training.

3. Mid-Career – During this stage, a person may regress, become stagnate, or continue climbing the career ladder.

4. Late Career – For those late in their career, they begin to see themselves as elder statesmen. This person has seen and done it all and is now ready to pass along this knowledge to others.

5. Decline – The next most logical stage is retirement. It is now time to pass the torch to the next generation.

How do you climb the career ladder?

Climbing the career ladder is done via a ladder promotion. A career ladder promotion is a vertical advancement from a lower position to the next highest position. Typically, a ladder promotion will come with additional responsibilities and pay.

The Forbes article, How to Fast-Track Your Way Up The Corporate Ladder, outlines the following 16 strategies to help achieve a career ladder promotion.

1. Plan.

2. Get an education.

3. Network.

4. Work hard.

5. Dream beyond the job description.

6. Develop an “I will do whatever it takes to get the job done” attitude.

7. Become a resource.

8. Dress for success.

9. Get to know your company and your boss.

10. Keep an ongoing success file.

11. Be keenly aware of the broader company goals.

12. Consider yourself a free agent.

13. Think and act a level above where you are.

14. Be an initiator, not just an executor.

15. Be a team player.

16. Express appreciation.

What Is A Career Progression Plan?

A career progression plan is a smart strategy companies use to increase employee retention and engagement. This plan is a detailed roadmap on how employees will progress through their careers with the company. 

You should have your own career progression plan that covers your career goals, the action steps inside the plan, and any milestones along the way. A good plan will also have a timeframe to accomplish each goal. 

How do I make a career plan to climb the career ladder?

Here are three steps to help you make a career plan that keeps you engaged and motivated as you climb your career ladder.

Step 1: Discover your passion

The average person will work approximately 42 years during their career and spend more time with coworkers than with their family. This lends to the fact that you should build a career around your passion. 

Step 2: Create short- and long-term goals

Climbing the career ladder takes time and planning. You will need to create short-term goals (12 months or less) such as completing a course, obtaining a certification, or beginning to build up your professional network.

You will also need to create long-term goals (12 months and longer) such as completing your degree or being promoted and working up the career ladder.

Step 3: Identify career opportunities

As you set out on your career path and begin thinking about climbing the career ladder, be sure to explore your career options and do your research. Your end goal may have many different paths. Find the path that is best suited for you and matches your skills and proficiencies.

Key Takeaways:

1. A career ladder is a metaphor for the upward trajectory of your career that starts with a solid foundation such as obtaining skills, education, work experience, and networking.

2. Build your career ladder within the five stages of career development.

3. The rungs of a career ladder are higher positions inside your career that you earn, taking on more responsibilities with greater pay.

4. Knowing how to plan and climb the corporate career ladder will increase your visibility and present you with significant career opportunities benefitting both you and the organization.