Sure shot, SWOT is the way to go to advance in your career to reach your goals. Quite often our friends brag about their career success and how it naturally came to them. But the truth of the matter is, you need to set your goals right, research, strategize and work hard to get to your target. And of course a good portion of it will be supported by studies and training.

Let’s face it. You are really not going to go far if you are not determined to reach the top. If your present position was your dream, then you might as well enjoy it. If, however, your present position is just what you will call a start of a thrilling journey, then you certainly have room to improve. It is imperative that you try to determine you long term objective. I really can’t recall where I read it, but it is always nice to write down your thoughts somewhere so you can refer to it whenever you need. So have your goals written, the answer to the question "Where do you see yourself in 20 years?"

Now, whatever your long term goals may be, we all know it can’t be achieved unless you break them down in to smaller short term goals. Try to give yourself comfortable time to achieve these short term goals. Also try to time-stamp these goals a reasonable time. Say if your organization has yearly review try to set your goals so that it can be comfortably completed within a year. However, if your organization offers quarterly review, make sure you set your goals accordingly. Remember your life time career achievement needs to be broken down into smaller short term achievements or goals. It is that simple.

Once your goals are identified, like all other task, you need to identify and assess your resources. By resource I mean you need to assess your strengths, weaknesses, your opportunities and of course your threats, the SWOT analysis as it is called. Your strength might be your level of knowledge and the amount of energy you may be able to put in to reaching your goals. On the other hand your weaknesses may be a certain skill you lack over a domain.

Once you have identified most of your SWOT, its time to work on it. Now that you know what your goals are, and what your resources are you will need to strategize. By strategize I mean you need to figure out what you need to do, and when you need to do them to overcome your weaknesses or threats and land on your goals. This may include taking a short course or maybe even a year long diploma. It may appear that people higher up in an organization have little to do, but one thing they have a lot of is responsibility. Preparing and analyzing various reports, gathering information and making predictions, decisions etc. Not all these can be acquired through books, but they sure are a start. Since you are clear of your goals, and your weaknesses, your work now should be to study and study to over come them.

Remember, in professional world who you know, and who knows you matter. So networking will be a good way to go. You should try to socialize a bit more, moving around your professional circle, meeting new people in your industry and in your organization. And at all times, remember to be in contact with those you meet.