What can you do if you’re interested in a promotion and it doesn’t appear that you’re going to be automatically offered a new position by your manager? There are ways to request a promotion diplomatically and to enhance your candidacy for promotion. Here’s how tips and advice on how to get promoted.
Before you ask for that promotion, be sure that you’re doing all the right things to help ensure that the answer will be positive. Here are some of the factors employers consider when evaluating employees for promotion.
Do a Great Job. How you perform in your current position is going to be important when you’re considered for a promotion. Excellent performance reviews and your reputation as an above-average employee will carry a lot of weight when the company is making staffing decisions.
Be a Team Player. Volunteer to help with new projects in the office. Volunteer for committees or task forces. Offer to help your boss and co-workers whenever time permits. You’ll be known as a team player and an individual that colleagues want to work with.
Don’t Miss Work. Be on time for work and don’t take more time off than you are allocated. If you’re known as a sloucher and someone who misses more work than is appropriate, it will be held against you.
Network and Get Noticed. Attend company parties and gatherings. The more connected and engaged you are with your colleagues, the more they will know about you and the more you’ll stand out when it comes time to consider you for promotion. Managers are more likely to promote an employee they know well than a random applicant they don’t know much about.
Continue Your Education. If your company offers opportunities for professional development classes, take advantage of as many as you can. If your skills need updating or advancing, take continuing education or college classes. This way, your technical skills will be top level.
It is advisable not to ask for promotion do when you use these as the reasons.
Asking for a promotion or raise simply based on length of time employed. Mary Elizabeth Bradford, a career coach, and resume writing expert, says this is a common mistake made by employees today. Just because you’ve had X months or years in your role, doesn’t mean you’re automatically qualified for, or entitled to, a promotion. Your contributions need to create value, and you should be perceived as the most logical choice for the new role.
Not having a recent significant achievement or milestone that supports your request. “Give your boss a reason to promote you for excellent results versus asking for a promotion out of the blue. And do not let emotion get in the way, as impactful as this is on your job and relationship.
Acting inappropriately. Complaining, for instance, that outsiders are being interviewed for the position is a big “no-no,” Whining about others detracts from your own professionalism and credibility. Similarly, comparing your worth to others in the firm who already have achieved the level you seek is counterproductive. Keep it positive, focused, and don’t put anything negative in writing.
Not having your facts about job responsibilities and the match with your credentials. This is probably the biggest mistake made in seeking a promotion; the ‘why,’ not for you, but the company.
Lack of persistence. Employees sometimes back off too quickly, whereas your boss should witness your complete presentation and rationale. If you quickly shy away at the first furrowed eyebrows, you could lose a golden opportunity. Measured tenacity which is gauged by the flow of the conversation can be your best guide on next steps. And it shouldn’t stop there. You’ll also want to follow up as well and in most cases, many of them don’t!
Asking for too much at once. Many employees ask for a promotion, raise, new privileges and more–all at once. This will likely frustrate your boss. It is advisable to look internally which is knowing your priorities and work down the list as concisely as possible.
Believing that promotions are based on merit alone. That’s not the case in many companies where politics and other factors come into play, according to Amy Hoover, president of Talent Zoo. She added if you’re career-minded and want to climb the ladder it’s important that you analyze your corporate culture to determine what you need to focus on besides a job well done.
