Mycareercoach.com

How to get promoted

Establish your goals

1. Determine where you want to go and how to get there.

• There’s no need to limit your expectations to the job on the next level in your company, particularly if it’s not likely to be vacant for a while or if there are colleagues better than you lined up already.
  
  
  
  
• You don’t have to be subject to the bureaucracy or set trajectories of the past; today there are a greater number of routes for progression, allowing you to pursue multiple paths upwards and/or change direction.

2. Work for a company which can give you room to progress.

• Working in a company where there is scope to progress onto more senior levels and with an environment in which you can develop. Large corporations often offer plenty of promotion possibilities, though small companies undergoing high growth can also be a good bet.
  
  
  
  
• Being employed in a company and industry in a growth cycle. A company on an upward spiral as well as fast growing industries can be expected to offer room for career advancement. Conversely, a mature company or an industry in decline could represent a dead end – beware of wearing a 'dead man's shoes'!
  
  
  
  
• That you are in an environment in which you can excel. Most companies value generic skills and 'street smarts' and, if you have the intellect and attitude, progression could be straightforward. On the other hand some companies' values are determined by their core business operations, and these might value people only with unambiguous expertise in that line of business. Yet again some companies place more importance on qualifications like degrees and MBAs. If you are well-qualified these are environments in which you might excel. Conversely, if you are not your prospects could be limited.
  
  
  
  
• How you could advance internally and externally. Don’t limit your expectations to the job on the next level in your department. If you work for a large company with many businesses or departments, consider other areas. However, if the route is not available internally be careful not to job hop from one employer to another. Frequent moves are often frowned upon: it really doesn’t look good if you have more than two employers on your cv in the last four years, or more than three in the last five – so be careful!

3. Build yourself a track record.

Make sure management are aware that you are delivering on your objectives, and that your achievements are visible (but avoid being big headed or boastful). Ensure you are delivering on the objectives which have been set for you. If you are in an environment where roles require technical skills or specific know-how, make sure you're seen as an expert in a particular area – this would stand you in good stead. Prepare well for performance appraisals; you want the best reviews possible.

4. Try to be an agent of change.

A significant percentage of promotions are awarded to people who have recently been involved in projects which drive change. These might include those associated with new marketing initiatives, sales breakthroughs, quality programmes, product inventions, cost cutting schemes and technical innovations.

5. Continually network and stay close to decision makers.

Make sure you continually network and stay close to decision makers – this is really important. People are often promoted who have worked closely with their boss or with their boss and his or her boss. If you want to progress you simply must network, get yourself noticed and build relationships.

If you don’t want to limit yourself to prospects within your own area, build a relationship with your boss’s boss. This could be the springboard to his or her sponsorship for your promotion into another business area. You should network, attend activities where important people are taking part, look to take on new responsibilities and projects, get involved in task forces and do your best to get noticed.

Your presence alone isn't enough; people need to see what you are tangibly contributing. And this applies to HR as well as your boss and boss’s boss. People in HR often act as talent scouts across an organisation, and are used as sounding boards before critical staffing decisions are made.

6. Make sure the relevant people know that you seek promotion.

In the majority of cases people who are promoted have made their interests known and sought sponsorship for advancement! This means making sure your boss, your boss’s boss and HR all know your ambitions. Have conversations about your aspirations, both formally and informally. And not just once!

7. Find out what is required for the next level up.

What skill sets are needed? You could even get a copy of the job spec. This could be achieved as part of a planned review or a meeting at your request. You need to know what particular core competencies are required.

8. Bridge gaps.

Identify weak areas in your skills, experience and qualifications. Establish their importance and take steps which will move you towards your ultimate goals.

9. Be popular: the advantages are obvious!

The more supporters/sponsors you can find the better. Re-build any bridges you have burnt – you don’t want anyone blocking your promotion chances.

10. Act the part: you need to appear 'promote-able'.

This means not only looking the part, which is very important, but also demonstrating a great attitude. This includes having a good attendance record and always being willing to go the extra mile. You need to be a responsible role model who sets an example. Make an effort to come across as though you are already at the level of the job you wish to progress to. If possible take on some of the work from the next level up – and be seen to be doing it!