You’re already in, so that’s great!  The key to getting a promotion is showing your value in your current position, and utilizing your relationships within the company to get a leg up.

The obvious answer here too is don’t mess up.  Don’t show up late, don’t take unexpected time off, don’t do anything that will give them a reason to not consider you.  Remember, people look for reasons to not hire you, not for reasons to hire you.

If you’re going to move up the ladder, is there someone ready that can take your place?  Proving to management that there is a strong successor ready to step up can make their job easier.

Offer to cross train the new person and share your secrets with them.

There are many ways to build your network, starting with your current job.

Remember, people come and go.  So connecting with your currrent coworkers on LinkedIn, for example, is a great place to start.  Because at some point, either you, or they, will move onto something else.  And when they move on, that’s creating a whole new level of opportunity for you.

Don’t forget to think about other people in your industry, or people who currently work at the company you want to work at.  Search them out, buy them a cup of coffee, or meet for a drink after work.

LinkedIn is great to meet people, but to really build a true connection, do whatever you can to meet them in person.

This is why The Inner Circle has such a strong emphasis on video connection and community.  You can be building your network with other like minded people, just like you, right now.

Well, maybe.  If you are trying to be a Doctor or a Lawyer and you don’t have a degree, yeah, they won’t hire you.

So let’s make sure we are in the right job search area before we decide that they won’t hire you because you don’t have. a degree, but I am fairly certain that is not the reason.

As a matter of fact, I would wager that is not the reason you aren’t getting hired, its because of something else.

What is that “something else?”

Well, I don’t know, because we haven’t talked.  Maybe it’s poor interviewing skills, or a lack of demontstrated hard or soft skills.

Maybe there is something in your previous work history, a former coworker taking bad, or other external factors for not being hired.

But the good news is, thse are all fixable, and once we know what the issues are, you will be amazed at how quickly things will pick up for you.

So don’t get hung up on the degree part, most likely, that’s not what the problem is.

Welcome to the world of the ATS, my friend!

What is the ATS?

Its called the Automated Tracking System.

The ATS is an AI tool that helps recruiters and hiring mangers screen candidates who applied for jobs.

An ATS will compare job descriptions and requirements against a candidate’s experience and qualifications.

So, a flashy resume with lots of fancy graphics and stuff won’t get read by a computer, so it won’t match your experience with the requirements.

Remeber, an ATS is a computer.  It was programmed by a human to look for certain things.  So give it those things.

Tailor your resume to that specific job description.

Spend more time crafting a relevant resume to the job you are applying to, instead of just sending one resume to as many people as you can.

Don’t appy for jobs you don’t want, or are not qualified for.

Spend more time focusing on the jobs you want and you can get, and less time on trying to trick a recruiter you are capable.

You might be somewhat qualfied, but there are others that overly-qualified, and they make your experience look amateur.

Don’t despair.  We all, at one point in our lives, feel lost, like we’ve lost direction and not sure where you’re going.  I know I have (this is Stuart, btw, the founder of Winning Without College talking to you here)

First off, if you’re feeling down, remember that harming yourself will not solve the problem.  If that is something you are considering, leave this screen now and call 1-800-Suicide for professional assistance,

But as for just feeling lost?  I feel ya.  I worked in LA and hung out with big time celebrities and went to ridiculous parties.  I felt my value was in my job and the lifestyle I was living.  Then it went away.

I felt like I lost my identity.  I hated the way people looked at me now, I wanted them to look at me the way they used to.

But then, I grew up.

I realized that my identity isn’t tied to someone else’s.  My identity is mine, and nobody can take that away from me.

So what is my identity?

My identity is someone who can do the impossible.

Who can win no matter the odds.

That’s my biggest mission for starting Winning Without College.

So don’t give up.  Let’s chat and together we will find your purpose.

Wow, great question.

Without context, it’s hard to say.

If you start working at a fast food restaurant, you’ll get a promoton if you’ve been there for a few months.  The turnover in the fast food industry is ridiculous.

But I’m assuming that’s not what you meant.

So what do I say?

I say, don’t compare yourself to others.

The only true measuring stick that means anything is, are you better off today then you were a year ago?

Maybe you didn’t get a promotion, but you have more money in the bank.

Maybe you didn’t get that promotion, but you bought your first home.

It is dangerous to compare yourself to others.  Don’t do it.

The only thing that matters is are you better off today than you were yesterday?

If the answer is yes, then that’s great!  You are making progress and moving forward.

But if the answer is no, then we should identify reasons that is.

Is it because of a one time incident, or the result of behvior?

Were you in a car accident and were out of work for months and have thousands in medical bills, or was it because you bought. new car you couldn’t afford?

There is no one answer to this question that fits everyone.

So let’s chat inside the Inner Circle to come up with a plan for you, that fits your goals, based on your specific situation.

Wow, I can understand how that could put you in a tough spot.  But good news first, it’s fantastic you love your job.  Many people have a hard time enjoying their job, so I’m happy that you found something that you can be proud of.

So what about your life are you not happy with?  Your friends?  Relationship?

I’m assuming that since you love your job, you are doing okay financially, so I’ll put that aside for now.

Do you have a hard time making friends? I read that it is much harder to make friends as an adult than it is as children. 

Do you have any hobbies?  Maybe you can connect with other people in your area that enjoy the same things as you do.

When I say hobbies, I don’t necessarily mean building model airplanes or playing with legos as an adult.  Do you enjoy hiking?  Maybe there are some hiking groups in your area you can join.

Have you looked into MeetUp.com?  I joined some of their groups when I moved to find people I have things in common with.

We can explore what about your current situation you are not happy with, and together, find ways to find fulfillment in your personal life, the same way you’ve found it in your professional life.

Wow, I can understand how that could put you in a tough spot.  But good news first, it’s fantastic you love your job.  Many people have a hard time enjoying their job, so I’m happy that you found something that you can be proud of.

So what about your life are you not happy with?  Your friends?  Relationship?

I’m assuming that since you love your job, you are doing okay financially, so I’ll put that aside for now.

Do you have a hard time making friends? I read that it is much harder to make friends as an adult than it is as children.

Do you have any hobbies?  Maybe you can connect with other people in your area that enjoy the same things as you do.

When I say hobbies, I don’t necessarily mean building model airplanes or playing with legos as an adult.  Do you enjoy hiking?  Maybe there are some hiking groups in your area you can join.

Have you looked into MeetUp.com?  I joined some of their groups when I moved to find people I have things in common with.

We can explore what about your current situation you are not happy with, and together, find ways to find fulfillment in your personal life, the same way you’ve found it in your professional life.