How to Get Selected for Career Development Stretch Projects

Stretch or growth projects are like boot camps for professionals. Just as a boot camp pushes your physical limits, these projects challenge your professional abilities, pushing you beyond your current knowledge and skills. They involve significant responsibilities, new areas of learning, and opportunities for growth, all designed to take you out of your comfort zone and tone your professional muscles.

What Does a Stretch Project Look Like?

Stretch Projects vary in type and duration, but here are some common stretch projects or assignments:

• Managing or mentoring an intern or new hire
• Implementing a new or significant project
• Participating in the strategic planning process
• Organising and leading an event or meeting
• Taking on and turning around a failing project

Why Consider a Stretch Project?

While Stretch Projects may seem daunting to take on, there are several reasons why they are pivotal for your career development. First, they force you to learn and apply new skills, expanding your expertise and making you a more versatile professional. Taking on challenging projects like these will also give a great boost of confidence, clearly demonstrating your willingness, and ability, to cope with greater responsibilities. 

Often these projects require collaboration across different departments, so you will be able to build a broader professional network as you go. Finally, on successful completion, you will not only have added impressive accomplishments to your resume, you are more likely to catch the attention of senior leaders.

While today’s news might suggest we’re in the midst of a jobs crisis, the reality is that many businesses are struggling to fill their talent pipelines. This gap has led organisations to consider candidates who show potential for growth, even if they aren’t a perfect fit right away. If you’re an ambitious professional, stretch assignments present a fantastic opportunity to get noticed and potentially advance your career.

But how do you position yourself to take advantage of the situation? If you feel like you’re ready to move out of your comfort zone and take the next step, here’s some tips for getting assigned.

1. Let Your Ambitions Be Known

To increase your chances of being selected for a stretch project, you have to be proactive. Start by expressing your interest in taking on more challenging assignments – both to your manager and colleagues. Be sure to clearly communicate your career goals and the types of projects that truly interest and excite you. 

When you demonstrate your readiness and enthusiasm, it will be far more likely that when the opportunity arises, your name will naturally spring to mind.

2. Select the Right Sponsor

While your direct manager may be the best person to approach, it’s not always the case. You can also look for an executive with the right mix of influence and credibility who can advocate for you. Be open about your ambitions and ensure they understand your goals and the type of support you are seeking.

3. Showcase Your Skills (Be Excellent)

It is highly unlikely you will be considered for a stretch project if you are not consistently demonstrating your skills and competencies in your everyday work. After all, why would you be selected if you are not already excelling within your current responsibilities? 

Going above and beyond to deliver high-quality work, meet deadlines, and show initiative will build a strong foundation of trust and confidence in your abilities. These are the key indicators your manager will be looking for to prove you are ready to take on bigger challenges.

4. Step Up and Be Proactive

Having both the initiative and willingness to take on more responsibilities shows you are committed to the organisation’s success. A good manager or executive will appreciate being approached with potential projects or suggestions of where you could potentially add further value and will view this initiative as a sign of your potential for growth within the company. 

Even if your proposed ideas are not the right fit right now, another opportunity might crop up where your proactive approach will be remembered and rewarded.

5. Be Open to Other Opportunities

Sometimes, stretch projects come from unexpected places. It might not be exactly what you had hoped for but try to be open to different types of projects that come your way. Remember, stretch projects are all about stepping out of your comfort zone into the more unknown areas of a business.

6. Be Prepared to Apply Yourself

Succeeding in a stretch project requires a significant commitment. The effort you put in will be proportional to the rewards you reap, making the hard work a challenge but wholly worthwhile.

Get Uncomfortable to Unlock Your Next Career Step

Exploring the edges of your comfort zone with a stretch project beyond your usual scope is an excellent way to develop your professional skills, pushing you into unfamiliar territory. If you get the opportunity – and you should if you follow our tips – don’t hesitate to volunteer as bold moves like these could steer your career in surprisingly positive and rewarding directions.