I know we’ve all had dreams of reaching new heights in our careers but, what does it take for you to get noticed and rewarded by your boss and even your peers?
In this post I will share proven tips, real-life stories and advice from thought leaders on how you can easily get promoted at work.
Hold on. Before we proceed, let me ask you a quick question…Why do you want to get promoted? Is it because you want more money, responsibility, recognition or satisfaction? Whatever your reason is, you need to have a clear vision and strong motivation; otherwise, you might end up chasing the wrong goals and feeling unhappy or unfulfilled.
So, take a moment to reflect on your career aspirations and write them down. Once you have a clear picture of what you want, you can follow these steps to make it happen.
How can I get promoted?
I’m pretty sure we already know getting promoted isn’t merely hard work, luck or chance. Here’s what Madeline had to say:
“At the start of my career, I was under the impression that working hard and doing great work would get me promotions. Over time, I was met with the harsh reality that hard work alone does not progress you forward in your career - Madeline Mann
Promotion is mostly a reward for your smart and strategic work and here are some of the things you can do to increase your chances of getting promoted at work.
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Keep a record of your accomplishments:
Having a solid record of your accomplishments is one of the best ways to get promoted and advance your career. It’s major evidence of your value, results and impact on your company.
“Quantify and document your work achievements for the company: your work has increased their market share, lowered costs, improved productivity and/or efficiency, expanded their clientele, added to their sales mix, raised the company’s profile in a positive way, and anything else you did that shows that you deserve greater responsibility.
If you can, get your boss and coworkers to sign off on it for you. Then present your request in writing, together with the documentation to your boss, his or her boss, and HR at your company” – Jennifer Finger
If you are not sure how to go about it, this is a powerful way to document your achievements in your workplace. You can use efficient apps like Evernote or Google Keep to remember your projects, tasks, goals, feedback and compliments.
Or even better, use a website or a LinkedIn profile to show your skills, experience and achievements. Don’t forget to update your record often and use numbers and stories to show your results.
2. Foster teamwork and collaboration:
Another thing that can help you get promoted is getting along well with others. Working together and sharing ideas are essential soft skills in our work world today…
“There was a ‘secret’ model at Procter & Gamble that we weren’t supposed to tell junior managers for fear that they would misunderstand it and change their behavior in an ill-advised way.
The model was PIE and told you the ‘formula’ for how promotions and salary increases would be applied. ‘P’ stands for ‘performance’, and this is what you’d expect—how well you do your job. There are two more elements, however, which are ‘—’image’—i.e. how your peers perceive you and most of all your seniors—and ‘xposure’—i.e. it’s no good doing wonderful work if no one knows who you are or what you’re doing…” – Anna Lundberg
Spice up teamwork by being respectful and helpful to your team members. Consider starting or joining projects with different people, share your thoughts or tips and giving helpful feedback. This quick guide from Coursera explains some of the key teamwork skills and how to enhance them.
When you do this, you will make healthy friends, impress your co-workers and bosses and of course, this will show that you are a team player and a leader.
3. Tackle challenges head-on:
Every company has a challenge at hand, whether it be major or minor. if you are a problem-solver you’re already the next in line for a promotion. Yes, because one of the fastest ways to show potential is to take on challenges and solve problems.
“Yet another truth is taken from the old adage: The reward to solving a problem is getting to solve a more interesting problem. Make sure your boss and your peers respect you and believe that you are competent in your current job. That means you have to be good at what you do. Getting promoted means that the powers believe that you have achieved mastery of your job and are maybe ready to take over a larger responsibility. Do your job and do it well.” – Charles Noble
But problem-solving is a huge skill and a book that can help you improve your problem-solving skills is Think Smarter by Michael Kallet. Here are some extra tips to guide you: Identify the root cause of the problem.
Once you clearly understand the problem, you can start generating ideas for how to solve it. Don’t limit yourself to the obvious or conventional options. Think creatively and outside the box. You can also consult with others with relevant experience to get their input and feedback.
Remember, challenges are opportunities for growth and learning, so don’t shy away from them. Embrace them and show what you can do.
4. Elevate your skills:
Speaking of skills, a crucial thing to do if you want to get promoted is to learn new things and get better at whatever you are already doing.
The world is evolving rapidly and you need to adapt to it if you want to maintain your worth and have an edge over others. A basic way to get promoted is to display your work. However, the ultimate way you can get promoted is to be the clear option and become an essential resource for your team.
“When I was working with my dad in his firm, we had an employee named ‘Kamal’. He joined us around 4 years ago as a laborer with neither business knowledge nor any definite technical skillsets. But he had three distinct qualities: affinity for work, willingness to learn, and knocking on doors for opportunities.
Within a year, he developed skillsets worthy of be a master-cutter and soon he learned to interact with customers. In another 6 months, he became an assistant manager. He is the fastest to rise up the ladder.” - Vasudev Roy
One of the best things you can use to learn new and exciting ideas is the CareerBuddy newsletter for HR, Techies, Sales Moguls, Creatives, leaders, and even fresh undergraduates. These free newsletters provide you with awesome tips, insights, job offers and opportunities to elevate your career.
5. Amplify your voice:
There’s an old saying that goes, “A closed mouth is a closed destiny”, and what you need to do if you want to get promoted is to make some noise and share your ideas.
Okay, don’t get me wrong. By making some noise, I mean talking in meetings, presentations, and discussions. You can also write articles or newsletters, make podcasts or webinars, join forums, or attend events. Your voice makes you special; it shows what you think and what you do for your company.
“Speak up in calls and meetings, make your point of view and share your insights. If you are a shy person, get out of your comfort zone. If you are a vocal person, make sure you speak, adding value to the points. But get yourself out there and show who you are.” – Eric L.
6. Establish good relationships with your colleagues:
Being trusted is super important at work and can help you get promotions. You can earn trust by being honest, reliable and consistent. If you avoid gossip, conflicts, and drama, people will see you as someone they can count on. This not only makes you a good team member but also makes the workplace a happier and better space for everyone.
Remember, being accountable and reliable is a superpower that can help you grow in your career!
“Be social, and not just with those you think can help you. Be friendly with everyone you encounter in the course of your work and around the office, whether they’re inside the company or outside. Make extra effort to develop a relationship with people in the role you want, as well as those in the position to influence your ascension to it. Seek out the advice of those you work with and follow it if it sounds practical and wise.
Be a resource to your colleagues, the go-to guy or girl when they need help. Even as you try to climb the ladder, remember to do what you can to reach back and help others too. Mentor and assist someone seeking to ascend to your current role.” – Ross Cohen
P.S. Want to discover how to be an exceptional team leader? Subscribe to this insightful team lead newsletter.
7. Contribute significantly to revenue generation:
Making money is what every business wants to do, and it is the best way to show how much you matter and make a difference. Now, here’s the cool part. If your ideas make the products or services even better, customers will be happy and that’s an obvious win for the business.
“I try to approach promotions by showing my manager that I have increased 1) the overall revenue I bring in and 2) my responsibilities with a more scientific approach. Make sure you’re working to grow into a new position instead of just working to do your current job well.
If you are a manager looking to go into a director-level role, you may say something like, “Not only did I manage my accounts x times more efficiently than my peers, but I also did x y and z things. I understand that x y and z are directors’ responsibilities, and I would love to continue to do this if I can be promoted to a role that reflects this work accordingly.” – Dimsumpup
So, when you help your business make more money, the big bosses notice. They see how awesome you are, and that can lead to a promotion. You’re not just helping the business, but you’re also making a path for yourself to climb up the success ladder!
8. Take on more responsibilities:
Taking on more responsibilities is a strategic move to enhance your chances of getting promoted. When you happily assist with extra jobs, it means you’re being really helpful and showing you want to do more than just your usual tasks.
Sometimes, when you want to move up in your job, you might get to do more challenging things. When you take on extra jobs, you learn a lot because you’re doing new stuff.
“Think about this. The fundamental difference between the CEO and the most junior person in the company is responsibility. The CEO is responsible for the entire company, and the most junior person in the company is responsible for very little.
So to rise up the ranks, on a very fundamental level, you have to take on responsibilities.” – Asim Qureshi
But don’t take on too much or you might get really tired. Make sure the extra jobs fit with what your company wants to do. And don’t forget, it’s important to find a good balance. Only pick extra jobs that you’re good at and that help you get better at your work.
9. Network and build relationships:
Building strong relationships and networking can significantly impact your chances of getting promoted. Networking provides an opportunity for others to advocate for you. When people know you well, they can speak up during promotion discussions.
A manager might say, “I’ve seen Jane lead cross-functional projects seamlessly,” or a peer might mention, “John’s attention to detail is unmatched.” These endorsements carry weight. Networking isn’t just about immediate promotions. It’s also an investment in your long-term career.
The relationships you build today can lead to mentorship, sponsorship, and even job referrals in the future. People remember those who actively engage and contribute.
10. Ask for it:
Okay, all has been said and done but you haven’t received a promotion offer? then go ahead and confidently ask for it.
“I have been working for a Fortune 500 company for almost 10 years now and have averaged a promotion every 10 months or so.
Although I excelled in the areas where I worked, I also took my career into my own hands. I didn’t wait for promotions. I asked for them/applied to postings that were promotions. Most of my promotions were “natural progression” situations. 3 of them took the average analyst 5 years to get them all but I got them all in under 3.
More specifically, I set regular checkpoints with my direct supervisors and also whoever was right above them (at a lower frequency). I made sure I made my career intentions clear every step of the way while also achieving the goals laid out for me.” – Deuceswild130
Yeah I know, Asking for a promotion can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know how to approach it. You don’t want to seem arrogant or entitled, but you also don’t want to sell yourself short or miss out on a great opportunity.
To help you navigate this challenge, here are 7 tips that work when asking your boss for a promotion. Asking for a promotion can be a rewarding experience if you do it right, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.
Before I go:
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something useful from it. I also hope that you will apply these tips and strategies to your work and career and see the results for yourself. You have the power and the potential to make it happen, and I believe in you.
If you liked this blog post and you want more career growth insights, jobs, and opportunities, don’t forget to subscribe to the CareerBuddy newsletter. It’s free and awesome, plus you won’t regret it.
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