Taking more Responibility in your Role

Today's workplace is competitive and cutthroat. With the recessionary pressures
growing, every worker is under previously unheard of levels of stress to both
prove their value and demonstrate their ongoing readiness to do more.

However, uncertainties about the overall state of the job market need not hinder
anyone's ambitions. The question is - at a time when we're told that hanging on
to a job is currently the best strategy - how can we better our situation to
position ourselves as favourably as possible when things improve, be that
internally or externally?

Whether they are human resource managers, business leaders, politicians or
educationalists, there is currently an army of experts telling us that the
workforce of the future will need to be flexible - able to demonstrate
experience across a range of skills and tasks, and therefore be able to offer
cost efficiencies to their employers.

Knowledge is the key to responsibility

With opportunities to collect such skills via a series of different jobs limited
though, it is down to the individual to seek out ways to enhance their
professional assets both by increasing their level of responsibility in their
current workplace, and by deepening their knowledge of their chosen area via
additional study.

Depending on the circumstances of an individual's workplace, there are a number
of ways in which this problem can be addressed. A good manager appreciates and
values a member of their team who volunteers to take on more responsibility and
should gladly help them to do so - provided that person is qualified for the
job, or the 'step up' represents a logical progression for them.

Often, though, it is up to the individual to identify the opportunities that
they think could be available to them. It is vital to study the workplace,
therefore, and spot how your skillset could be used to its betterment.

Stand out in your competitive workplace

However, a workplace is competitive, and other individuals will also be looking
to fulfil their ambitions - for whatever reason. Simply lobbying the manager may
not be enough. Achieving the goal of taking on more responsibility is about
ensuring that you are the best qualified to receive 'the nod' over your rivals.
In a rapidly depleting number of cases, companies will invest in their staff and
ensure they have the opportunity to secure additional training and recognised
qualifications. More often than not, it is down to the individual to obtain such
knowledge themselves and although doing so could lead to a pay rise, a new title
or a corner office, taking that decision requires careful consideration. 

Having a recognised and fully accredited professional qualification demonstrates
to those in charge that you're committed to the company, and to ensuring that,
in giving you the extra responsibility that qualification has prepared you for,
they can trust you to deliver. It also gives you a greater practical insight and
more advanced skills than your colleagues - who are also your rivals for that
next promotion. Finally, improving your knowledge about your chosen profession
will mean you bring more to the role, and therefore are capable of taking on
greater responsibility.

What are your options?

Consider carefully what options exist for you in pursuing a professional
qualification. Ask your boss what they consider to be an area where they would
like to see someone taking on more responsibility and find a course that will
fulfil that need. Also, weigh up how much time and energy you can dedicate to
study. Those already doing a full time job will need to find a flexible option
such as studying at your own pace in your own home. Alternatively, you could
negotiate a sabbatical and embark on a short full time course at a specialist
college - with access to the equipment and facilities.

Taking on more responsibility needs determination, effort and sacrifice.
However, by giving up some time outside of work to pursue a qualification will
send positive messages to your employer and identify you as someone who is both
capable and ready to take the next step.