You’ve put in the hours and burned the brain cells at work. Isn’t it time you get promoted for those efforts? But alas, it isn’t as simple as “I did the work, so a promotion should follow.” Playing the career advancement game takes strategy, planning, and unwavering commitment. You want the higher pay and cool benefits? Well, so does everyone else you’re competing with. Thus, the game must be played. Let’s go over 5 ways you can position yourself for a better chance of advancing through the ranks.
Understand Your Company’s Internal Promotion Process
Understanding your company’s internal promotion process is essential for career advancement. It is important to know How do you move forward if you don’t know expectations and criteria for promotion, as well as the steps you need to take to make it happen? Researching the company policies and speaking to superiors or mentors can provide the insight you need to increase your chances to get promoted. What does the ladder look like in your company? How many direction options do you have? Don’t forget to ask around (strategically, of course) to find out how often other professionals get promoted in your department and with your specialty.
It’s hard to play the game if you don’t know the rules and the board.
“Grow Your Trick Bag” – Learn New Skills Others Won’t
Having a good set of well-developed leadership skills doesn’t guarantee a promotion, But NOT having them sure does weaken your argument. If you’re not making yourself of high value in your workspace, you’re not serious about moving up to manage those who do that same thing. Take the initiative to learn something new and challenging, especially those things others don’t seem to either want to or be able to master. It is a great way to stand out and get noticed, and that is our ultimate goal. Invest in yourself by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops to get the latest information and tools you need to stay ahead in your industry.
And don’t forget the company or department-specific angle. Is there a proprietary software that is used in your department? Master it. Are there specific regulations your area deals with all the time in its day-to-day activity? Become the subject matter expert on it. Knowledge is power, good people. Want to get promoted faster, amass it as much as you can.
Seek Out Project Leadership Opportunities
The best way to get noticed and get promoted is to take on extra responsibilities. Taking on project leadership opportunities is a great way to go about it. When there’s a new project that needs to be managed, don’t wait for someone else to take the lead: seize the opportunity and take charge! You’ll be able to demonstrate your commitment to the team, as well as your ability to make decisions and stand by the results of them.
Not only will taking on project leadership opportunities increase your visibility in the workplace, it will also give you the chance to show off your skills. Organizing a project, managing resources, and coordinating with other team members are all important aspects of project management. It also offers an opportunity to show off skills such as communication, problem-solving, and personality navigation – all things leaders must do.
Managing projects also can open the door for you to build relationships with other departments. By working on a project with other teams, you can show your ability to collaborate and understand different perspectives.
Maintain A “Brag Sheet” To Track Your Impact
Maintaining a brag sheet is a great way to track your accomplishments, successes, and workplace impact in real time. What is a brag sheet, you ask? Well it is a simple document you use to track your accomplishments, highlights, accomplishments, personal milestones, successes, impact, and anything else you want to arm yourself for your performance review or meeting with a decision maker. When you are trying to get promoted, documented impact is your best friend. When they see a full record of your successes, they’ll be more likely to see you as a strong candidate for a promotion.
Good luck trying to remember everything you’ve done throughout the year. The last thing you want to do is walk out of that meeting and realize that there were critical accomplishments you neglected to mention to your boss during the review.
Now look, it doesn’t need to be anything fancy. No special formatting is needed. It can be a simple Google Doc that you access from your smartphone. It is just a catch-all document that you quickly update every time there is something of note you wish to remember in the future. If you are a fan of formatting and organization, you can always use the plain one to update in real time, and then every now and again transfer that info to a more permanent file.
💡Added benefit: When it comes time to have your resume written, you won’t have to try to recall years of work to pass along to your resume writer. You will already have that info ready for inclusion! 👍🏽
Develop Your Professional Network
Networking is an important part of any career. It’s an essential element to professional development, and one that can open up opportunities to expand your reach and increase your chances to get promoted. Developing your professional network can be intimidating, but there are steps you can take to make the process easier.
Start by looking for professional groups in your area related to your field. Joining these groups is a great way to meet potential contacts who can help you with advice, resources, and job openings. You can also reach out to colleagues, such as former classmates or coworkers, who can provide referrals and guidance.
You can also use social media to develop your network. Sites such as LinkedIn are a great way to connect with industry veterans, mentors, and potential employers. Make sure to keep your profile up-to-date with relevant information and post regularly.
Networking events are also a great way to meet others in your field. Look for events related to your industry in your area. Attendance at these events increases your visibility and provides you with an opportunity to make connections with potential employers.
Make sure to follow up with contacts after an event. Sending a thank you note or email is a great way to stay in touch and demonstrate your interest. Also, consider volunteering for a professional organization. This will not only help you build your network, but also give you an opportunity to gain experience in your field.
Now GO GET THAT PROMOTION! 🪜
