Do you feel trapped in the same job position? Are you ready to move up the position? The corporate ladder is hard to climb, but if you want an interesting job and a big paycheck, at some point you have to start climbing. If you want to get promoted, you have to be a patient and ambitious team player. This is hard to balance, but the following tips can help.
Step
Step 1. Work for a company that gives you room to grow
The type of company determines the potential for promotion. When applying for a job, look for companies that provide career development opportunities. You don't have to work for a big company even though they usually offer a lot of promotional possibilities when the time is right, but look for a company that has grown enough that you can be sure there's no dead end. It would be better if the company develops and grows well although many companies, especially very large ones, tend to develop in cycles.
Step 2. Concentrate on doing your best in your current position
Outstanding performance appraisals are not enough to promote promotion, but they are needed. So are attendance, punctuality, and a willingness to do more than the company requires. Arriving 5 minutes early and leaving 5 minutes after work hours can result in a lifetime of extra luck or income if you are chosen for a promotion.
Step 3. Make sure people know that you are doing well
No need to announce, but let your work speak for itself. Maintain a good relationship with your supervisor, and make sure he or she knows what you're working on (assuming you've had major successes). Don't be an attention seeker or a "licker," but make sure people know who you are and you get the recognition you deserve.
Step 4. Be a popular employee
Ideally, promotions should be based on performance alone. However, we don't live in an ideal world, and office politics often plays a role in determining who gets promoted and who doesn't. Use and develop sociability. Treat everyone well and help them, including coworkers, supervisors, and subordinates. Develop relationships with the people you work with, play golf with your boss, and get to know the people (other than your immediate supervisor) who make decisions within the company. Attend corporate events and make connections with people outside your department.
Step 5. Make sure the right people know you want a promotion
Don't be afraid to share your career goals with your supervisor. Most good supervisors will ask questions themselves and try to help. Keep up the good work in your current position and don't look like you're bored, but let the decision maker know that you really want a particular job.
Step 6. Apply for a job within the company
These days, you can't wait for promotions to drop from the sky. Sure, that happens sometimes, but most promotions, especially at large companies, require you to apply and go through an interview process, and you'll usually have to compete with candidates from outside the company.
- Apply for the right position. Don't just apply for opportunities that pay a little more than your current job. Look for opportunities that really interest you and match your qualifications. Don't be afraid to look at all of the skills listed in the job description, you don't need and probably won't be able to meet all of them, but you should be able to demonstrate the ability to catch up and improve quickly.
- Take the hiring process seriously. Usually, internal candidates think they have a better chance, but studies show that only 1/3 of internal candidates succeed in getting the job they seek. External candidates are sometimes very competitive because they have no security pretenses. They want the job and have to do their best to get it. In addition, companies sometimes want to bring in new people who bring new skills or perspectives to the company. The lesson: don't be complacent, and remember to "sell yourself" like you don't have a job yet.
Step 7. Find a new skill
If you become the greatest customer service staff of all time, you are well on your way to remaining a highly qualified customer service person for the rest of your career. Just doing well is not enough, you also have to develop skills that prepare you for more responsibilities. If you have skills and qualifications that exceed the requirements of your current position, your employer will consider your talents to be wasted in that position.
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Continue school education. If you don't have a bachelor's degree yet, get it with college. If so, consider getting a Masters or Doctoral degree, but only if those qualifications help you achieve your career goals. Don't just go to school for no reason. Instead, think about what programs will help you climb the corporate ladder. To get a promotion, sometimes a profession or professional license is much more important than a degree, and sometimes you also need to take courses to improve your computer or accounting skills, for example. There are a variety of educational programs to take in the evenings or weekends, as well as many opportunities for independent study and accredited online study. What's more, the company may reimburse certain tuition fees. So you can expand your knowledge without spending any personal money.
Learn a second/third language. Due to the expansion of the global world, more and more companies are looking for people who can speak multiple languages. Learning a foreign language also means you don't need an interpreter, and that opens up international positions (such as a one-continental manager, not just a branch or small country manager)
- Take a temporary project. Temporary projects are a great opportunity to add skills and make connections with people from other areas of the company. Many people are reluctant to offer themselves because sometimes projects like this are difficult and force them to get out of their comfort zone. However, that's the point.
- Try volunteer work. If you're not gaining new skills at work, consider volunteering for a nonprofit. Large, well-known nonprofits almost always offer plenty of opportunities to learn new things, and smaller organizations also have great projects you can work on. Successful nonprofits usually want to fill volunteer positions with people with the right qualifications, but with a little determination, you can find volunteer work that uses your current skills and provides opportunities to develop new skills. Community involvement is also a plus in promotion assessment.
Step 8. Find a mentor
Strong relationships with managers or people in high positions in the department can open many doors. The advantage is that you will learn a lot about the company and the desired job. Another advantage is that you have allies who will be willing to help when you decide to pursue a new opportunity. Finally, the mentor will prepare you to replace him when his position rises or retires.
Step 9. Prepare the successor
This is a common paradox. You're so great at your current job and your position is irreplaceable, but you're really so irreplaceable that the company will be screwed if you leave the position. The solution to this problem is to select one of your subordinates and train them to be ready to fill your position if you are promoted. Some people fear that prepared students will take their jobs, but as long as you are a good boss and continue to develop your skills, the only way you will lose this job is to be given a promotion. Coaching one (or several) subordinates also shows that you have management skills and that you care and are willing to help other employees develop skills.
Step 10. Develop a new position
If you find a better way to do your current job or see a need for a new position, don't be afraid to talk to management about the idea of creating a new position. Because you are the one who sees this need and are, perhaps, the most qualified for the position, you have the opportunity to take on new responsibilities even if you may not get a big raise at first.
Step 11. Find a job elsewhere
If, for whatever reason, you seem to be at a dead end in your current job, it may be time to look for better opportunities elsewhere. This will be difficult if you are loyal to your boss, but you have to do it for your own career, or you will not be happy at work. Recent surveys show that as many as 75% of employees are looking for a new job after some time. So, you are not alone.
Tips
- If companies give space to grow, a sign is that they say they prefer to promote insiders. However, don't take that as a guarantee. No matter where you work, there is always the possibility of competition with outside candidates.
- If you have a specific career goal (and should), do a "gap analysis". This is an analysis of how your current position of skills and qualifications compares to the skills and qualifications you must possess in order to advance to the next level and achieve your career goals. Think about this carefully and honestly, then plan ways to close the gap.
- Patience will pay off, including in the search for promotion. Assess your qualifications and performance realistically, and don't be frustrated if you miss out. Wait for the right opportunity. However, don't wait forever.
- Try to avoid office politics as much as possible. When you have to take sides, do so with respect and wisdom, and be careful not to cut ties or distance yourself from other people.
- Tired of climbing the corporate ladder? Start your own company. If you have marketing skills or a potential hobby, consider starting your own business.
- If you're doing well and getting great reviews, but still getting missed in a promotion or two, there may be something your manager isn't saying. Consider asking why you didn't get the promotion, and what skills or qualities you didn't have that the candidate who did get it did. Talk about this in a polite and tactful manner, but try to get an honest answer. This is not a place to complain, but an opportunity to find out what you can do to get your next promotion.
Warning
- Set reasonable expectations. You can get tired from trying too hard. For example, if you often work more hours per week than you can afford, other people may expect you to continue working that way.
- If you apply for a job you don't really want, the hiring manager may not take you seriously, and your supervisor may question your dedication to your current job. The same is true if you apply for a job elsewhere too soon. Be patient, and take the time available to develop competence in one job before trying to move up to a higher position.
- Sometimes it's hard to show that you're competent and ambitious without appearing arrogant or threatening. However, you have to be firm to get what you want. Remember to be tactical, don't hesitate to help, and be kind to your coworkers, not just your boss.
