58. Career-Defining Skills to Conquer the Corporate Ladder

CORPORATE LADDER – SECRETS OF THE CAREER GAME — EPISODE 58

Don’t just climb the corporate ladder – own it. Kendall Berg rips open the playbook on what it really takes to skyrocket from office associate to executive. 

This guide maps out the cutthroat skills you need to conquer every rung of the corporate ladder. 

• Mastering self-advocacy early on in your career
• Learning how to craft visionary strategies as a director

Kendall doesn’t just rehash the same old career advice. She’s dishing out insider intel on:

• Hacking the hidden power of mentorship networks
• Navigating corporate politics and leveraging an MBA for leadership roles
• Crafting a resume so potent it practically lands promotions for you

Whether you’re a fresh-faced associate or a director eyeing that coveted VP spot, this episode is your blueprint for relentless career progression. 

Master Autonomy and Advocacy for Career Growth

Proving you’re ready for management isn’t just about doing your job well—it’s about owning your space. Autonomy is the key to showing you’re ready for that next step. But autonomy alone won’t get you there. Kendall breaks down why self-advocacy is equally critical. Being great at your job can actually slow your progression if you don’t learn how to speak up. Leaders often assume you’ve got it handled and stop investing in your growth. To avoid getting stuck, Kendall emphasizes the importance of making your contributions visible and aligning them with the company’s success. Learn how to master both autonomy and advocacy to accelerate your career and unlock new opportunities.

Resume Tips for Climbing the Corporate Ladder

If you’re aiming for a manager role, your resume should already reflect managerial experience—even if your current title doesn’t. Kendall stresses the importance of framing your resume to show leadership, using terms like “managed” and “oversaw” to highlight your contributions. List your mentorships, interns, and projects as if you’re already in the role you’re targeting. She also dives into the exception: when your responsibilities outpace your title. If you’re operating at a director level but your title still says manager, it’s okay to list the higher position on your resume. Kendall explains how to make your experience stand out without bending the truth, helping you land that next big role.

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Episode’s Takeaways

Career Progression Skills to Climb the Corporate Ladder (00:00 – 12:49)

• Autonomy and self-advocacy are crucial for career growth
• The first job teaches business etiquette, communication, and autonomy
• Jump from associate to senior associate requires proving capability and commitment
• Middle management jump requires autonomy and self-advocacy
• Mentorship, internships, and culture projects can demonstrate management skills
• Resume should reflect management experience for external promotions

Management to Director Transition (12:49 – 23:50)

• Manager to senior manager transition involves managing a larger scope and delivering business results
• Jump to director is the hardest in the corporate world
• Director skills: visionary, leader, and protector
• Directors must create strategies, lead teams forward, and protect team members
• The resume for director position should highlight strategy creation and leadership

Director to Chief Level Progression (23:50 – 34:28)

• Career progression slows down after director level due to fewer positions
• Networking becomes crucial for advancing to the chief level
• Chief-level positions rely heavily on whom you know
• MBA can be beneficial for networking at executive levels
• Politics play a significant role in career progression beyond director level

That Career Coach

Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach?

Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_

Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/

Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind

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