4 Factors That Advance Your Career (That Have Nothing To Do With You)

4 Factors That Advance Your Career (That Have Nothing To Do With You)4 Factors That Advance Your Career (That Have Nothing To Do With You)Youre awesome at what you do. Youve mastered the skills you need, gained some solid experience, and built an impressive portfolio. Thats what it takes to land you that promotion or next job, right?Well, yes, thats part of it. But there are many more factors that contribute to your career advancement- factors that have nothing to do with how well youre doing in your current gig. In fact, many of the things that can impact your future and success arent really about you at all.Heres a breakdown of some of the external factors that can influence your professional growth- and the best ways to leverage them into bigger and better things.1. The Right IndustryYes, you can advance your career in any field out there- but your opportunities to climb the ladder are going to be much more plentiful in a field thats growing versus one thats going through tough ti mes. So, its always a good idea to look for opportunities in emerging industries (or at least ones likely to remain stable over time, like education).Of course, thats easier said than done if youve already established yourself in an industry thats waning or going through a difficult period, or if your passions are leading you in that direction. In that case, you dont necessarily have to jump ship, but its not a bad idea to explore other fields you might be interested in. Ever thought about technology or healthcare? Now might be the time to parlay your skills that way. And in the meantime, focus on what you can learn from your current experience, like how to manage teams through change and the best strategies to navigate through layoffs- valuable skills no matter what industry youre in.2. The Right LocationIf you want to work in television production, youre most likely to succeed in LA or New York. If you have an interest in higher education, a state with tons of colleges and univers ities makes sense, like Massachusetts or Texas. And we all know that Silicon Valley is still the capital of tech.In short, if youre committed to a certain industry, its helpful to be in the right place. Its not a hard and fast rule, but when you want to work in an area where your field is less prevalent, there will certainly be fewer opportunities- and stiffer competition for those that do exist. On the other hand, being surrounded by companies that do what youre passionate about is a great way to establish relationships with people who can help you find opportunities and expand your future.If relocating isnt an option, think about other ways you can expand your network and increase your exposure in your industry. Join professional associations, attend and speak at national and regional conferences, or even take on freelance work in other markets.3. The Right NetworkYouve heard it before and youll hear it again Its not always what you know but who. Relationships mean everything prof essionally, and the people youre connected to are often your best bet in finding a new job or receiving a promotion. Dont underestimate the power of meeting and staying close to people in many different positions and companies, even when youre not looking for a job.One of the easiest ways to expand your network is to join a local industry group (like PRSA if youre in public relations, or Toastmasters if you frequently deliver presentations). In addition to helping you meet like-minded professionals, these groups frequently offer training and job boards, tools that ultimately can boost your career growth.4. The Right MentorNo matter how great your industry, your network, or your experience, one of the most crucial factors to career advancement is having the right mentor by your side.For one, theres a lot that youll never learn in management textbooks and seminars- but that you will from firsthand conversations with a trusted advisor. A great mentor can also help you figure out which new areas you can explore within your field and which skills you should be expanding upon.Having a mentor within your company is particularly valuable- she can identify opportunities for advancement you might overlook, guide you through challenging projects, and help you build relationships with higher-ups. fruchtwein importantly, if shes influential, she can earn you recommendations for special projects or teams that you might not have been considered for otherwise. And these are the factors that are going to pave the way for success at your company.If you arent sure exactly how to find a mentor, start by asking your manager or HR for suggestions. It doesnt have to be formal, either- look around and see who the stars are in your organization, and ask them out to coffee. If youre not finding anyone in your company, approach members of professional groups you belong to or check out industry organizations with official mentoring programs.It would be awesome if there was a clear recipe we could follow to ensure a successful career path- but, well, you already know theres not. Career advancement isnt an easy or straightforward task, but by continuing to do great work and identifying and leveraging the other factors that can impact your goals, youll put yourself on the right track.Photo of woman in the city courtesy of Shutterstock.