Setting some goals for your career and a timeframe that you would like to achieve them in is an important way of staying on track. If you’ve got the ability, there is no reason why you shouldn’t progress through your company or move onto a higher role in a different one. Unfortunately, getting a promotion is not always easy and sometimes it can be hard to figure out what you need to do to progress. It can be very disheartening when your boss chooses a new candidate for a higher role that you feel that you have been working hard for throughout several years. Understanding how to make yourself shine in the workplace is very important and when you eventually get that promotion you will be very happy!
To help you understand what you need to do, we have put together some tips on how you can get that promotion that you have always wanted and be on your way to success. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more!
Do A Great Job
This first tip seems extremely obvious, but it is important when it comes to being recognised. It is likely that you are already doing the best that you think that you can do but you should be open to trying new things to make yourself stand out. It is important that you get your work done on time, but you should make sure that the standard is really high. There are many resources and tools that are available to help you excel at your job so make sure to take advantage of them. If you work in a team, you might find that other team members hold you back from showing your full potential.
There are some great ways of getting around this and if you suggest that your team uses them, you’ll show some initiative. One of the great ways to bring your team together and improve the efficiency of projects is the use of a Kanban board – a great workflow management tool that help teams collaborate much better and increase their productivity. If you’d like to learn more about this and find out how to use it, make sure to check out how to use a Kanban board explained by Kanbanize and start improving your team’s productivity.
Excelling at your job and showing leadership and initiative in your team will help your boss to see your potential.
Talk to Your Boss
One of the main reasons why people get passed over for a promotion is that they have not spent the time explaining their career goals to their boss. This might seem intimidating and you don’t need to ask them directly for a promotion but by simply explaining that you’d like to progress will put you on their radar and they are more likely to consider giving you a promotion. You should also make sure that you talk to your boss regularly to inform them about the job that you are doing. They will only see the big picture and are unlikely to know about all of the small things that you do for the company and how vital you are in keeping it running successfully. You can do this by organising a monthly meeting or even by simply sending updates on your team’s progress through email. Don’t be afraid to praise your team to your boss as this will show that you care and that you are a good candidate for a promotion.
When it comes to impressing your boss, you should also try your hardest to make their job easier. By freeing up some of their time and helping them with their workload, you are showing that you are committed and that you are someone who should be recognised for your efforts. If your boss lets you help them with what they need to do, you’ll be able to show them that you are trustworthy and are capable of doing work expected of a higher position. Don’t ask for a pay rise for doing these extra jobs as it will show that you are only helping to get a promotion. However, make sure that the amount of extra work that you are taking on is reasonable and that you are not taking on the work of a higher level without it being recognised.
Make Connections
Often the decision to promote someone is not just the work of your CEO or line manager, they’ll consider input from other members of the team as well as other important stakeholders. This is why you shouldn’t focus all of your efforts on making sure that your boss likes you. If you want to get a promotion, you should make some other connections in your company. You can do this by talking to other staff members throughout the building, organising teambuilding activities with your own team or even offering to help other departments. Get your name known throughout the company and people will start to recognise the good work that you are doing. The word might even get back to your boss and with the recommendation of other departments, they might consider promoting you. Making connections with other companies is also important in case you ever decide that you want to take you promotion elsewhere. Go to networking events, ask for introductions to clients or other companies and you might see yourself in the position that you dream of soon than you thought!
Show Commitment
If you have been working at the same company for many years, it is likely that you will have already shown commitment. If you have recently moved companies, you might need to spend some time showing that you are invested in the company and that you are capable of the promotion. Showing commitment is very important and your boss will appreciate it if you are able to give a little extra every now and again. Go the extra mile, offer to work a few hours on a weekend or find a new client that your company can take on. By showing your commitment you will prove that you deserve the position and you are more likely to be considered for the role. Being committed to a role doesn’t always have to involve doing extra work on the weekends. You can show your commitment through your great quality work that you produce on a regular basis. Putting effort into your work shows that you care about it and you are more likely to be a good candidate for a promotion.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, there are a lot of things that you can do to help yourself get a promotion in work. It is always important to show how good you are at your job before asking your boss. You’ll want them to consider what you have to say carefully and so take some time to put in the groundwork. Make sure to get all of your work done to a high standard and to show initiative when you can. Transform the productivity of your team using some great workflow tools and you’ll show your boss what you are capable of. Don’t be afraid to branch off and help other departments in order to build connections and spread your good reputation around the company. Follow this advice and you’ll be sure to get a promotion!