How to Figure Out If A Potential Employer Has Advancement Opportunities

One of the characteristics employees look for when changing jobs is the ability to grow with a company. The last thing anyone wants is a dead end job. We all want to be trusted with greater responsibilities and make more money.

When looking at a company from the outside, it can be hard to tell if they have a robust advancement plan or not. However, by asking the right questions and knowing what to look for, you can get a good idea of what advancement opportunities employers have.

Here’s What To ASK:

1. Do you have an internal posting system? If an employer is serious about promoting employees, they’ll have an easily accessible way for employees to express interest in open positions.  If the employer hires all mid and upper level jobs from outside the company, it might be hard to advance in your role. If you’re interested in growing with the company, make your career goals known.
2. Can you help me understand the advancement path for employees? The answer to this question will give you an idea how many incremental promotions it takes to reach your career goals. Be patient though, because it takes time. Your employer is looking for people who produce good results over a long period of time so remember that every day is your job interview.
3. How long does advancement take? In order for your employment relationship to be mutually beneficial, it’s helpful to know what to expect. In your situation, you want to have an accurate idea of the amount of time it takes to reach your career goals so you don’t feel frustrated if it takes longer than you had hoped.

Here’s What To LOOK FOR:

1. Is there a pay or position matrix?  These are documents that show all the levels of employment and what the pay range is for each position. The employer may choose whether or not to share that with you, but if you’re able to see it, you’ll get a very clear idea of the advancement positions and the pay possibilities. The more levels, the more advancement opportunities.  If there are very few levels between the production team and the CEO, then there probably aren’t very many opportunities for you to grow. Look for an employer with several levels to advance through.
2. Are employee testimonials available? Some employers will show employee testimonials right on their website, others can produce them if you ask. When you read employee testimonials, look for happy employees who have spent several years with the company and have advanced through several positions. Hearing about the experiences of other employees can show you what your experience could look like.

Remember…

Employers are looking for top workers who work hard, learn quickly, and set a positive example. Advancement takes time. Some employees expect a promotion in a few months and that rarely happens. If you want to grow with a company, be patient and work hard. It doesn’t happen overnight.

Reaching career goals can take many years and employers reward the workers who consistently produce good results over a long period of time.

For other employment and job tips, see our other blog articles here.