You're ambitious. You have landed a great job or are moving along in your career. What's next? Learn strategies that will enable you to climb to the top of the career ladder. In today's job market, you've encountered a huge, fundamental shift in the corporate world: many companies are no longer routinely grooming employees for senior-level executive positions. Career development is now up to the individual. You must chart your own roadmap for career development in order to be resilient when the job market fluctuates wildly. You have to define your own success and career strategy, and invest time in creating an effective action plan if you're going to become a VP or CEO. What are the career paths and must-have leadership skills you need to ascend to the ultimate position in your field? Getting to the Top was especially written for employees to take responsibility for their own career success by Silicon Valley executive recruiter Kathryn Ullrich. From thousands of interviews she conducted as an executive recruiter and leader of Getting to the Top career programs at UCLA Anderson School of Management and Stanford Graduate School of Business, Ullrich has learned and analyzed career path categories for marketing, sales, product and brand management, corporate communications, strategic alliances, business development, and CEOs. In this book, Ullrich shares executive success stories, findings of her groundbreaking career path research, essential skills for career advancement in a career pyramid of skills at the top, and a customizable Career Action Plan that guides readers to career success. You will reach the career success you desire by putting into action the guidelines you'll learn in Getting to the Top Praise for Getting to the Top: "A book for anyone who wants career success " -- Marshall Goldsmith, author of MOJO and What Got You Here Won't Get You There "Getting to the Top is a real-world mix of executive recruiting, career development, and career coaching advice that teaches you how to take control of your own career advancement." -- Annmarie Neal, PsyD, Chief Talent Officer and VP, Cisco Center of Collaborative Leadership "This author really knows her stuff This is one of the most unique and complete career guides that I've ever come across. You won't find everyday tips here. The author not only chronicles her own experience and lessons learned, but provides the rich experience and stories of many (very significant) others." -- Beverly Kaye, CEO, Career Systems International and author of Love 'Em or Lose 'Em "Through countless interviews with senior executives of many of the nation's most successful companies, Kathryn Ullrich has identified and provided key strategies for career advancement, enlivened by numerous fascinating stories characterizing the careers of outstanding business leaders. This is a must-read for those striving to 'get to the top' " -- James J. Duderstadt, President Emeritus, the University of Michigan