How do you get promoted in your workplace? You may know your potential but if others cant see it you end up feeling frustrated. Do you sometimes feel no matter how hard you work you’re not getting the credit you deserve? If you are ambitious and willing to put in the work to achieve recognition within the workplace then this is for you.
In this post, I’ll outline seven steps that will help you get the promotion you deserve.
Step 1: Show your value, acknowledge the contributions of others and be a team player.
If a task is completed well or a target is achieved or exceeded, due prodominantly to your contribution, make sure your employer is aware. This doesn’t mean you need to crow about how without you a task would not have been achievable. Just that you need to make sure your own line manager is aware of your contribution.
Sometimes it may feel that your boss doesn’t acknowledge your work or takes credit for your achievements. There are inevitably those in management positions that are lacking in management skills and this might appear to be the case. If this is your experience and you have an opportunity to take part in appraisal meetings by an HR department, list your achievements. Don’t waste the opportunity by speaking derogatorily about your manager, this will not look good. If appraisals are carried out by your line manager or there isn’t an HR department where you work gather evidence of your contributions. This could be, for example, copy written by you or emails of thanks by clients or customers. These would come in useful if you are looking for a promotion in a different department or with a different company and would allow you to list your achievements on your LinkedIn page.
Don’t try to take credit for the contribution of others. That will inevitably cause tension within the team. If you want to be taken seriously as a candidate for senior or management level promotions you need to know how to get the best out of a team. Getting the best out of a team requires you to be respected, to be a team player and to understand how to appreciate and motivate the work of others. You should also take care not to overstep the limits of your current role unless given permission by the team to do so. If the team respect you and don’t feel threatened by you they may be happy to let you take a lead and it is this contribution you need to bring to the attention of your line manager.
Your line manager will be looking to achieve results set by his or her line manager. The harmony in the team is important if it impacts productivity. Your relationship with your manager is also important. If you can present yourself as a link between the work targets which are the concern of the manager and the performance of the team to achieve those targets, your value will be obvious.
Step 2: Make connections
Network with key people within your company at your level and in more senior roles. Building relationships with those around you is a great way of helping you stand out and find opportunities. People like to work with people they feel comfortable with. Presenting yourself as a professional, friendly employee who delivers results will help you achieve your goals.
Training and team building events might provide an opportunity to do this.
Step 3: Dress for the job you want not the job you have
The old adage dress for the job you want not the job you have holds true. If you want your employer to take you seriously as a cadidate for a more senior level position you need to show your ambition from the moment they and your customers first see you. However you may feel about it first impressions matter. They can be long lasting and affect how other people react and interact with you. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should wear a suit on a building site but being cognosant of the need to be smart and professionally dressed is important if you want to be noticed for the right reasons.
Step 4: Always be learning and evolving and take criticism constructively
Being able to accept you don’t know everything and being receptive to constructive criticism is important. Being able to show a willingness to learn is a proactive and positive attitude that any ambitious employer should value. Businesses are constantly having to adapt to meet the needs of the market and need employees that understand and appreciate that. The more knowledgeable and highly skilled you are the better your chances of being recognised and valued for future promotional opportunities.
Step 5: Ask for what you want
Appraisals are a great time to outline your contributions, the value you bring to the organisation and your ambitions for promotion. Talk to your line manager about your ambitions, not incessently but when an appropriate opportunity arises. Capitalise on your successes to bring up your ambitions when the mood is positive and you are showing your value to the organisation in the best light.
Step 6: Evaluate the opportunities for promotion with your current employer
No matter how hard you work or express your ambition you still might not get that promotion. Evaluate the opportunities with your current employer. If you work for a small company or a department within the company with limited opportunities, this might be the problem. If you feel this is the case, and there are unlikely to be any promotional opportunities in the near future, you may need to consider looking for work elsewhere. This leads us to step 7.
Step 7: Network
Networking is essential for any career. It can help you find a job, meet new people, and learn about new opportunities. The best way to network is to make connections with people who can help you reach your goals.
Attend events where you can connect with like-minded professionals. This might include becoming a member of professional organisations or networks that focus on your industry or field of interest. Ask colleagues for introductions to people they know who could be beneficial to your career growth. If you have nutured a good relationship with your line manager or other senior management within your current employer they may be able to direct you to useful connections. Use social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with potential employers and other useful contacts. Finally check out Creative job hunting for ways to uncover vacancies in the hidden job market and how to stand out from the competition.
And finally…..
Promotions are not a right but need to be earned. If you put in the work, stay focused on your goals and don’t give up you’ll be on your way to getting the promotion you deserve.