It’s your first day at work. And you’re already planning the next steps for your big goal – moving forward in your career. Nothing’s wrong with that. Actually, it’s a noble mission for the self. And perhaps, for your family too. The question now is how.

Onward Worldwide had a conversation with April Salonga, an HR practitioner and career specialist to guide you with this journey called moving forward in your career. These are her tips:

1. Know Exactly What You Want

• While there are certain factors that can influence your wants, the core of them all is the self. What are the things that you value? Is it financial reward? Recognition? Quality time?

• Recognize the list of priorities and from there, you can map out your next moves.

2. Identify Your Weakness

• Identify your weakness and do something about it. Broaden your horizon and try to learn the things that you need so as to enhance your skills. Go to trainings and seminars, attend symposium, become an organization member and network with industry leaders, etc.

• For HR practitioners, the People Management Association of the Philippines is a good sample of an organization that might help your career and skills. It has over 2,500 members that you can learn from and make connections with.

3. Introspect and Set a Benchmark

• Social media posts about the lives of others might be a good motivation. But most of the time, what you’re seeing are filtered information. So don’t let jealousy sets in. Your success metrics should be personal. Learn from the mistakes of others, as well – your mistakes. This will strengthen you. And will help you map out the grand plan, as well – the details of it.

• The operative phrase here is “self-satisfaction”, not other people’s opinion

4. Consider Having a Plan B

• Not all things will go according to your plan. So, think of other ways to reach your target. Find ways to discover opportunities. Don’t be afraid to try the road less travelled.

• If you encounter miscalculations and failure, it doesn’t mean that you need to quit. Remember, you can lose some battles but should win the war!

5. Positive Thinking!

• It’s okay to doubt at times but it shouldn’t dwell long. If you are guided by your own values, you’ll recognize the right path at the right time.

• There are times you will be teased and you’ll entertain the thoughts of doing something the other way around to advance your career but it will be a shallow victory when done against your conscience. Choose to do good because that is what’s fair and right. Because you’re a good person.

Many times, finding the opportunities to move forward in your career feels like finding needle in a haystack. But as American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “The same wind blows on us all; the winds of disaster, opportunity and change. Therefore, it is not blowing of the wind, but the setting of the sails that will determine our direction in life.”

Create opportunities for yourself. And your mission to move forward in career, it will be done at the right time! As former US President Abraham Lincoln said, “I walk slowly but I never walk backward.”

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