Looking to move up the corporate ladder? You’ve been working hard at your job for a while now and it’s finally time to get promoted at work.
You’ll need to demonstrate you’re promotion-ready. But how can you make sure that you’re the one who gets the next big raise or title change?
Here are a few strategies to help you earn a promotion.
Become a Positive Presence, Even When Things Get Tough
Advancement in any career requires a positive attitude and a willingness to put in the hard work. Staying positive, even when things get tough, is essential if you want to be promoted at work. Complaining about your job or your colleagues will only make you less popular. Instead of focusing on the negative, try to find ways to make your work more enjoyable.
Approach your work with enthusiasm and a positive attitude so you get noticed by those who have the power to promote you. Putting in the extra effort will show your dedication and willingness to go above and beyond to achieve success. Becoming a team player and collaborating with your colleagues creates a positive working environment.
Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
An essential quality of any leader is collaborating with coworkers to achieve common goals. Focus on meeting the team’s needs before your own and you will be in a great position to show you’re “promotion-ready.”
Don’t be afraid to speak up, be the one who takes on new projects and shares new ideas. Let your manager know if you have a fresh perspective or a new way of doing things.
Show Your Manager You’re Ready to be Promoted at Work
Being a subject matter expert in your field will make you a valuable asset to any organization. Demonstrate your interest by keeping up with the latest changes and developments in your field. Advocate for the best learning opportunities and be proactive about keeping your knowledge current and skills fresh.
Consider a move from generalist to a specialist by focusing on developing deep expertise in a particular area. Generalists have a broad range of skills and knowledge but may not be seen as experts in one area. Specialists are viewed as subject matter experts, which is a major advantage when competing for a promotion.
To make the move from generalist to specialist, start by identifying the areas in which you have the most experience and expertise. Then, focus on deepening your knowledge in these areas through coursework, professional development, and networking with other experts. Demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to lead in your field.
Related Post: 5 Types of Effective Influencing Styles
Your Promoter Can Help You Get Promoted at Work
An important part of getting promoted at work is identifying the promoter who can give it to you — because it might not be your boss. Find someone influential within the organization and make sure they know your name and what you’re working on. Build a relationship with this person so that they can advocate for you when the time comes.
When it comes time for performance reviews or salary negotiations, speak up and let your boss know what you’re looking for. Be prepared to articulate why you deserve a raise or promotion and back up your arguments with data or examples of your successes.
Get the Actional Feedback You Need
One of the most effective ways to position yourself for a promotion is to solicit feedback from your manager on your performance.
By seeking out honest feedback, you can get a better sense of what areas you need to work on to take the next step in your career.
In addition, regular check-ins with your supervisor will help to keep you top of mind when opportunities for advancement arise.
Of course, it’s not enough to simply ask for feedback—you also need to act on it. If your supervisor suggests that you need to work on your communication skills, for example, enroll in a class or join a Toastmasters club.
Taking concrete steps to improve your skills will show your boss that you’re willing to go above and beyond and are eager to take on more responsibility.
Take on Projects and More Responsibilities
Remember that getting promoted at work doesn’t always show up in the form of a bigger title or higher salary.
Sometimes, the best way to earn a promotion is simply to demonstrate that you’re willing to take on more responsibility. So if there’s a project or task that you know needs to be done, volunteer to do it — even if it’s outside of your normal job description.
Showing that you’re capable of handling more than what’s expected of you will definitely impress your manager and put you in line for a well-deserved promotion.
There are several strategies you can implement today to increase your chances of landing that next promotion. Start by developing strong skills in your area of expertise and becoming a positive presence even when things get tough.
Be prepared to articulate why you deserve a raise or promotion and back it up with examples of your successes. Finally, ask for feedback and volunteer for projects. These steps will help put you on the path to becoming a leader in your field and earning that coveted promotion.
How have you gone about getting promoted at work in the past? What tactics have worked best for you? Let us know in the comments below!
