5 Routes to Rapid Career Rise
In my articles, Excuse me, Mr. Self-Employment Advocate! and Age and the Nigerian Entrepreneur, I mentioned that not everyone is cut out for owning a business. Some people do just fine working for another person and being successful in their right.
I have also featured a couple of young and successful Nigerians on this platform in the past. Today, based on my observations, I hold that the following factors aid rapid career rise:
Yomi Awobokun – became COO of Oando Downstream @ 31
1, Being very good: There are no two ways about it, you just have to be very good to have a fast career progression. Packaging can be initially helpful, and in fact may deceive, but at a point in the career ladder, ordinary packaging will reach its limit, and your real stuff is what can take you further.
2, Finishing school early: Finishing school early can be very helpful in being young and successful. Imagine somebody that started working at 20 years of age. By 28, he also has 8 years working experience. That may be enough to be the COO of a company, if you’ve got other qualities like being competent in the job.
Simon Kolawole – became Saturday Editor of ThisDay, Nigeria’s most influential paper, @ 29
3, Working close to Oga-at-the-top: If you work closely to the Group CEO, you stand a good chance of your competence and work being noticed early, and projected to higher responsibilities. That’s why it’s better to work in Head Office than in one hinterland branch. The closer you work to the key decision maker in the organization, the brighter your chance of rapid career rise.
4, Diligence, integrity and hardwork: You can’t wish away these qualities. They are very helpful is rapid career rise. Having unimpeachable integrity is very key. Cutting corners may work in the short run, but it always crumbles in the long run.
Niyi Yusuf – Became CEO of Accenture Nigeria @ 40
5, Luck and opportunity: Some circumstances may just work out in your favour. Your boss being posted to a new position or leaving, and pronto, you are given the challenge. Lucky you. I know people that got high position through these events. Your company may just decide to open a new subsidiary and your boss posted to get the new outfit on its feet. Before you know it, you are given your boss’ role. Or you being sent to manage the new subsidiary depending on the stake and risk.
Some, if not all, of these factors play crucial role in the career rise of young achievers I know. I have deliberately left out being born into rich family, as that’s already an headstart. I listed factors that are instrumental in the success stories of the average Joes.
Related topics:
The role of networking in job hunting
5 common mistakes Nigerian job seekers make
For resources (free and premium) on job tests, visit JobTestPrep.
I agree with all of these factors. I especially the one about working close to people in power. Do all you can to work for a boss that is powerful