Do you feel like you are stuck in your current position? Unfortunately, in today’s market, promotions are not a given. Below are five strategies to incorporate into your promotional plan to evidence that while you are a patient team player, you are simultaneously an ambitious self-marketer.
Do a great job.
How you perform in your current position is going to be important when you are considered for a promotion. While excellent performance reviews are not the only factor in obtaining a promotion, they are necessary for it, together with good attendance, punctuality and a willingness to go the extra mile when needed. By quantifying results and showing detailed information about your past successes, you can make a better case for why you deserve a promotion.
It is also important to understand the distinction between being a self-marketer, rather than a self-promoter, which will assist in improving your image and reputation to advance your career. Self-marketing focuses on the needs of the buyer rather than the qualities and features of the product; it is not about projecting an ego. It gives candidates more opportunities to effectively communicate their values, skills, experiences, and vision to employers. Sell yourself – and let it be known that you are seeking a promotion.
Master office politics
Relationships with others become more important as your career advances. Senior roles demand a higher level of political sensitivity, so show that you can easily and successfully navigate office politics. It is imperative to communicate openly and transparently and, if you must confront someone about a situation, go through the required channels. Especially because so much work is now accomplished through teams, it becomes even more important to share successes with your team and avoid pointing your finger when there are failures. By being a team player, you will not only build your reputation but also increase your value to the organization.
Build your network
The more people who know you, know your strengths and abilities, know your value to the company, and know of your ambitions, the more likely your name will be discussed when opportunities arise. It really is not enough to work very hard, if it is not known. An added benefit of networking is that you will learn much more about the company if you network with people in other areas of the organization.
Ask for more responsibilities
One of the best ways to succeed in getting a promotion is to expand your knowledge and skill sets in areas that are critical to the organization. As technology and other forces change rapidly, you need an ever-increasing skill set not only to perform your job, but to stay marketable. You can then volunteer to assist other departments or teams, or simply ask for more responsibilities, which increases your value within the organization. Asking for more work shows your interest and desire to help your department and company to succeed, as well as highlighting your value to the organization.
If you see an area that has been neglected, and you have key skills in that area, take the initiative and write a proposal for a new position. Even if the company does not create the new position, you have shown great initiative, creativity, and value to the company, and these qualities will only help you the next time you request a promotion.
Prepare for a ‘no’
Even if you are denied a promotion, now is the best time to lay foundations for the future. Ask when you can reapply: is it based on a time threshold or after a certain milestone has been achieved, such as landing a certain number of new clients. It is also important to follow up with an email thanking your employer for his or her time and confirming the details you discussed.
Employing these strategies will assist in requesting a promotion diplomatically and enhance your candidacy for the promotion. Then, when the opportunities for getting promoted start to solidify, you could be the first in line to move up!
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