Parking is a challenging and rewarding industry to work in. One of the main reasons for this is the fact it's a sector that provides plenty of opportunities for progression. Develop the right skills and make the right choices and you'll be able to work your way up the career ladder taking on more responsibility and improved pay as you go along. 

But just what does it take to get ahead in parking? Here's some tips to help you progress.

Know the industry
Anyone who wants to get ahead in parking needs to get to know the industry as well as possible. Keeping abreast of all the latest goings on and developing an excellent understanding of regulations will not only improve your day-to-day work, but allow you to impress potential employers with your knowledge when applying for a new role. Having a close eye on the news, reading industry publications and regularly visiting relevant websites will all help you to build up a good level of knowledge.

Get qualified
Another way to progress in parking is to strengthen your CV with as many qualifications as possible. Organisations such as the British Parking Association (BPA) offer a range of qualifications that allow you to develop new skills and demonstrate your experience and abilities to employers. Some parking jobs may give you the opportunity to gain these qualifications as part of the position - if not, you may have to study for them independently. The latter could well work in your favour, as it demonstrates you have the initiative and drive to pursue personal improvement.

Network
Networking is also useful when it comes to parking progression. Getting your name out there and meeting other people within the industry builds useful contacts that may well come in handy when applying for new positions. Attending industry events such as those held by the BPA is one way of achieving this. The organisation hosts both national and regional events, and this represents an ideal chance to meet fellow parking professionals and make connections that could lead to new opportunities.

Have the right attitude
As with any industry, it takes the right sort of attitude to get ahead in parking. You'll need to be committed to your work and be willing to go the extra mile at times if you want to stand out from the crowd. Individuals that climb the career ladder tend to be positive and proactive, with a genuine desire to improve and better themselves. Of course, the standard of your work will need to back this up and having a track record of success and good performance is vital when pushing for a promotion.

Think you're ready to take the next step in your career? Take a look at the parking jobs we have on offer. We have vacancies at all levels, so there's bound to be something that's right for you. If you're looking to enter the sector and start working your way up we regularly have entry-level roles available too.