Jobs with salaries above the minimum wage represent the golden ticket nowadays. With more students graduating every semester and millennials flooding the labor force, many employees wonder what it takes to surpass the minimum wage.

Before diving into the subject, it’s important to address teenagers griping about their paychecks. Holding an entry level position represents a necessary stepping stone in life. A summer spent flipping burgers should motivate you to develop a plan for your future .

On the other hand, adults supporting families on minimum wages do not share the same level of freedom to explore and develop careers. There can be numerous factors that restrict your ability to explore career development options. However, these factors do not have to limit your potential within an entry level job.

But there is hope; minimum wage jobs can develop into longer lasting, higher paying careers with dedication and time. Consider the following tips when strategizing your path to the top!

1.) Get Your Feet Wet

Plotting your strategy to the next income level starts with gaining experience. Often, minimum wage positions offer the lowest compensation because they require the least amount of experience. For that reason, using this opportunity to gain experience and demonstrate your work ethic signals to your employer that you are worth more than the minimum wage.

To Broaden Your Range of Experience:

• Commit to the position for at least one year
• Accept feedback and improve skill sets
• Enhance the workflow of the environment

2.) Exhibit Your Enthusiasm

After gaining more experience, begin exploring new opportunities for learning and development. Find activities outside of work that add to your level of experience while demonstrating pride in your work.

To Demonstrate Your Passion:

• Propose useful tasks or projects
• Adopt a hobby that improves your skill set
• Network with people with similar enthusiasm

3.) Accept More Responsibility

Seeking out additional responsibility represents the next step in securing a higher salary. Minimum wage positions rarely include considerable responsibility. Projecting a willingness to take more responsibility demonstrates your value as an employee.

To Expand Your Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate your eagerness to advance
• Volunteer for tasks outside of your current duties
• Observe other employees and learn about their roles

Overall, it is imperative to express your desire to further your employer’s business. As a minimum wage worker, the expectations for your influence within the organization are small. However, you can change this.
Meet each day as an opportunity to gain experience, broaden your horizons, and expand your role. Approaching your career with this mentality will prove to be fulfilling as well as more lucrative over time.

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