If you work for someone else rather than yourself, you might expect to get promoted within a short period of time. However, just because you are doing a good job does not guarantee that you will be granted the promotion you’re looking for. Just because you’ve been working somewhere for a long time doesn’t guarantee you’ll get a promotion either. An employer must consider many factors in order to decide who is most suited for the position, and if you really believe you are up for the task and responsibility of a promotion, you’ll need to ensure your boss is aware of what you can do and that you fulfill their criteria. Here are some things you should consider:
Have a Positive Attitude
If you want to create a good impression at work, you must have a positive attitude. Why would your employer promote you if you are always moaning about your job and actively looking for ways to avoid doing it because you are bored or frustrated? If you want to work in a position of responsibility, which is what would happen if you were granted a promotion, having a good attitude at work can certainly help you; your employer will notice that you take the job seriously while still enjoying what you do. When you combine these factors, you become a strong candidate for promotion.
Even if you dislike certain parts of your work, don’t complain about them. If you believe that something has to be altered because it is just not working in the right way for you, and potentially other employees too, come up with a remedy and present it to your employer rather than simply complaining. This will be more beneficial and will also look excellent for your promotion chances.
Get Qualified
There is no such thing as knowing too much about any particular topic, and when that topic happens to be the industry you work in, it’s even more important to continue studying to cover any gaps in your knowledge. There are many ways to get this additional information. For example, you may want to get an extra qualification which will show your employer you’re serious about what you’re doing and prove to them that you are dedicated to being the best you can be (always positive points when looking for a promotion). Rather than having to reduce your hours or take time off work, you can study for an online degree, for example. The MBA salary increase you could achieve if you do this might be substantial.
Think about what you want to accomplish in your profession, and then choose the best educational path for you.
Ask For It
An employer may not realize how keen you are for a promotion until you ask for it. It can be difficult to discuss, particularly if you are afraid they will say no, but if you don’t ask, you could be passed over just because your employer was unaware of your goals and dreams.
Don’t be discouraged if your company does not believe you are the best candidate for the position. Instead, find out why they picked someone else and what you could do better the next time. That way, you’ll have some objectives to work toward and can guarantee you’re the right candidate for the position if a promotion is given again.
If you can’t get an answer from your employer or you would prefer not to ask what made one person more suitable for the promotion than you, pay attention to that person. Look for similar personality characteristics, accomplishments, and habits among individuals who have been promoted. These insights may help you better understand what you need to do to advance in your career.
Some companies, for example, prefer to promote workers who have excellent social skills and attend all workplace events. If this is the situation in your organization, you will need to make an effort to mingle more and attend more workplace activities. If you don’t like doing that, then rather than a promotion, you might prefer to look at improving your career in a different company.
Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As your career progresses, you will need to continuously improve your leadership skills. One method to do this is to serve as a role model for your co-workers and gain their respect by performing well at work. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to demonstrate to your employer that you can lead and support your team members whenever the opportunity arises.
By subtly taking charge of every situation that allows for it, but without stepping on your manager’s toes, you can – perhaps slowly but surely – prove that you are a good leader and that you therefore deserve the promotion that is being offered. A promotion isn’t just about getting more money; it’s about gaining more responsibility, and you must be sure that you are ready to take on this responsibility before you get the promotion; otherwise, you won’t enjoy your new role, and your employer will wonder if they have made the right choice.
Be a Problem Solver
Every company has problems when it comes to inefficiencies and issues. By taking the initiative to address these problems, you can differentiate yourself as an outstanding employee and demonstrate your leadership potential, as well as showing that you can think for yourself and that you understand the business well enough to know what is causing a problem within it.
Search the office for anything that is impeding production, generating unnecessary costs, endangering worker safety, or preventing the company from achieving its goals. Then, come up with a plan to remove those issues. Companies appreciate self-starters highly, and if you decide to take the initiative in areas where your company could be weak, you may have an advantage over other candidates for a promotion. Of course, never assign blame for inefficiencies; instead, make the required adjustments (or propose how the business might make changes if you are unable to actively execute them). Blaming anybody may reduce, or perhaps eliminate, your prospects of advancement.
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