Ways to take more responsibility at work

Many people get to the point in their job where they’re ready to take it to the next level, but they’re not sure how.

Often you may not be qualified or have enough experience to qualify for a promotion or apply for a new position but there are smaller steps you can take that will set you on the path to career development. In fact, taking these smaller steps and taking on more responsibility at work is essential if you want to be eligible for a promotion in the future.

Here are 6 easy ways to take on more responsibility at work and step your career on the right path.

1. Speak to your supervisor

The first thing you should do if you want to take on more responsibility at work is to check in with your manager. Request a meeting with your supervisor, telling them that you want to discuss your role. At the meeting tell them that you want to take on more responsibility and ask them what more you can do as part of your current role. Make the conversation about what will not only benefit you, but also how you can help your team and the wider business by filling gaps and meeting needs that the company may have. Your supervisor should be happy to talk about your career development, but they’ll be even happier to discuss how you can make their life easier!

2. Participate in extra activities

Taking on extra responsibilities at work doesn’t have to involve hard work. This can also mean getting involved with the fun stuff, such as your workplace’s sports team, social club or charity initiative. Although this can be very enjoyable, it is also highly beneficial for your career, as you build connections, develop relationships and start to take on more responsibilities within the team. By taking on leadership roles in this setting, from captaining the workplace sports team to organising the weekly pub quiz night, you are developing and most importantly showcasing your leadership skills to your colleagues and supervisors.

3. Develop your expertise

Taking on new responsibilities involves preparation in order to be the equipped for these responsibilities. This means developing your expertise in certain areas, or more particularly, one specific area. Identify the segments of knowledge related to your industry that are in demand, or that are on rapidly developing and likely to be in demand soon. Skill up in these areas, whether conducting your own research or taking online courses in your own time. Once you have developed this level of expertise you can volunteer to take on extra projects and tasks that you are better equipped to deal with than anyone else in your team. In fact, if you become enough of an expert in certain important niches, your manager will be begging you to take on extra responsibilities.

4. Keep your eyes open

If you want to take on extra responsibility at work it is important to keep your eyes open and be continually watching for opportunities. Look out for co-workers who are stressed or overwhelmed, and offer to take some work off their plate. As long as you can do so without overwhelming yourself or compromising the quality of your work, this is a great way to show what you can do as well as showing that you are a team player.

5. Volunteer for extra tasks

If you want your manager to give you extra responsibility it is important to show interest. Rather than turning up to work and doing the bare minimum, be prepared to go the extra mile. Take the initiative to do extra research or come up with ideas that could help your team. You can also put your hand up for extra tasks and projects. This could be a one-off project, or something on-going. For example, most workplaces have a designated first officer, and volunteering for the role shows you are motivated and responsible. You need to be trained to do this, of course, but Skills Training Group can connect you to first aid training courses in your area.

6. Be proactive

One of the important things to keep in mind when it comes to taking on more responsibility is to be proactive. Don’t wait for responsibility to come to you, but rather you need to seek it out. This means not only talking to your supervisor and asking what more you can do, but sometimes it is a good idea to take initiative. This means that if you see something that needs doing, you should go ahead and do it, as long as you don’t overstep or tread on anyone’s toes, of course!