If you’ve been at the same job for some time, it’s all too easy to just assume that a promotion will come along every year, like a bonus for time served. However, getting a promotion takes more than just doing your job well; you have to prove to decision-makers and leadership that you are ready and deserving enough to take on more responsibility.
More responsibility means actively showing (and sometimes telling) your boss that you’re ready to take on a new role.
If you’re sick of being passed up for promotions, check out these practices of employees that get promoted.
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1. Communicate your career goals
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2. Be a team collaborator
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3. Make yourself irreplaceable
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4. Take initiative
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5. Be your own advocate
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6. Be a leader
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7. Network, network, network
Before the start of the year, sit down with your boss to set and discuss your professional career goals. Be open about where you see yourself in 6 months or a year. A good boss will help you achieve these goals by giving you opportunities to grow and provide support to keep you on track.
Employers don’t like when employees who are focused on “I / me” rather than “we / team.” They want team players who are committed to helping the greater good of the team, which ultimately benefits the organization. A good employee volunteers his or her efforts before even being asked. This type of employee simply goes ‘above and beyond’ standard expectations and will be the first thought of when promotions are being considered and decided.
How can you make yourself an indispensable member of your team? One way is to become the ‘go-to person’ for something specific, like a subject-matter knowledge base or high effectiveness in a critical task. People in positions like this are not only sought after by coworkers but also seen by leadership, because they naturally stand out as someone people are always looking for.
Show your boss that you’re committed to continuously improving and developing your skills by finding learning opportunities, both within the office and outside of it. This doesn’t mean you need to get your Masters or PhD (unless that’s relevant to your job). Instead, enroll in one webinar each month, use your own money to attend conferences, or ask to be put on projects outside of your department. This shows that you’re ambitious and serious about your career, and aren’t waiting for someone else to get you where you want to go.
When asking for a promotion, leadership is going to want to know what kind of value that you bring to the business. Rather than trying to think back at all you’ve accomplished, build a “working” portfolio throughout the year. Document your successes and impact. After you’ve completed an important project or performed a record sales-month, document it and the drivers or key changes that led to this accomplishment. When noting your successes, focus on the most important details. Tracking these shows that you’ve been successful and improved the company, and are highly invested in the work you’re doing.
Do you display passion, trustworthiness, decisiveness and confidence? Possessing these types of leadership skills is essential for getting promoted. After all, the first step in being a leader is acting like one (and being perceived as one). Don’t get involved in office politics or develop bad habits like being late or missing deadlines. Leaders need to be great role models for the employees they manage and work with, and without these skills and traits it will be hard to get a management promotion.
Take advantage of every networking opportunity you have, even if it’s a small get-together with co-workers at lunch. Networking with others within your organization will allow you to get to know the people who can provide support now and in the future. It’s also a chance to promote yourself and your skills.
Getting promoted is not an easy task — it takes time, learning and dedication to yourself and the business. Successfully manage your own career path by smartly using these tips — and you might just get that promotion you’ve been hoping for.
(written by: Whitney)
