Getting a promotion at work sounds so easy. You prove your worth, come up with brilliant ideas, and voila – you’ve got yourself a promotion. Unfortunately, getting a promotion isn’t always that simple. Sure, there are many different ways to get a promotion. But in most cases, you need to prove your worth and convince your company that you’re ready for more responsibilities.
In reality, working hard and doing everything possible to advance your career is admirable. However, convincing your boss that you deserve a promotion is another story. Getting a promotion can be challenging because so many factors are involved in making that decision. Here are seven great tips on how to get a promotion at work and increase your chances of getting it sooner rather than later.
Become an expert in your field
The first great way to get a promotion is to become an expert in your field. For example, consider becoming a thought leader in your industry. How do you do that? Well, one way is to participate and speak at industry conferences and webinars. Another is getting essential education to ensure that you’re up to speed on the latest theory and practice. Nothing beats learning and having a degree from one of the top global business schools. So, you could expand your knowledge through educational MBA careers programs, such as at Aston University. The MBA curriculum focuses on advanced managerial skills that will help enhance your decision-making, analysis and strategic thinking.
Create a portfolio of your best work
If you’re hoping for a promotion soon, make it a point to document your best work. What does this mean exactly? Start keeping a portfolio of the projects you work on and accomplishments made from each of these projects. Having a record of your best work can help you make a stronger case for getting a promotion. If you keep track of your achievements, you have the data you need to back up your request for a promotion when the time comes. You can also keep track of things such as the challenges you’ve overcome or any improvements you’ve made to your department or company as a whole. It’s a great way to show your managers that you’re not only dependable, but that you’ve also got an eye for improvement.
Network constantly and influence up
Networking is one of the best ways to get a promotion. If you’re looking for ways to get ahead in your career, prioritize it. Networking doesn’t just happen by accident. You have to make it a point to talk with and get to know your leaders in other departments. You would be surprised at how something as simple as a few quick coffee breaks can go a long way. The fact is that every company has influencers – that is, the people who influence strategic leadership decisions, including promotions. Therefore, make it a point to master the skill of influencing up.
Be the go-to person in your department
Another way to get a promotion in your company is to become the go-to person. If you’re already your department’s go-to person, then you’re one step closer to getting a promotion. In short, you want people coming to you for advice and assistance with their projects. As the go-to person, it’s only a matter of time before your boss notices and promotes you. The best way to be the go-to person in your department is to help out whenever you can. Don’t just be the person who sits behind their desk all day – be the person who pitches in when someone needs help. You’ll get more experience and become more knowledgeable. Furthermore, your superiors will also notice.
Create a plan for the next year
Let’s say that you want to ask for a promotion. Well, before you request it, create a plan for the following year. Include how you plan to improve your current position. Also, show how you hope to improve your department’s processes and practices. Doing so is an excellent way to get promoted. The point is that you want to show your managers that you’re not only dependable but also focused on getting better and improving things around the office. By doing so, you have a better opportunity of getting a promotion.
Take on extra responsibility
Taking on more responsibility is another way to get a promotion in business. Furthermore, it’s also a great way to show your managers that you’re dependable and ready for more responsibilities. So, if you’re hoping to get promoted, prove to your bosses that you’re prepared to do more. What does that mean? Well, you need to take on the extra responsibilities that your superiors are too busy to do. If you take on additional responsibilities and prove that you can handle them well, you show your bosses that you’re ready for more. Also, you’ll develop more experience, which is another excellent way to get promoted.
Prove that you’re worth promoting
The last way to get a promotion is to prove that you’re worth promoting. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to prove that you’re worthy of a promotion, but it does mean showing that you’re ready for a promotion. If you’re hoping to get a promotion, you need to prove that you’re willing and able to do more tasks and responsibilities. So, if you want a promotion at work, you have to put in the effort. Getting a promotion isn’t easy, but it’s possible if you do the job and go above and beyond. In other words, proving that you’re ready means overdelivering and going above and beyond the call of duty. In short, you want to be an excellent team player and someone who your boss depends on at work.
Conclusion
Depending on your situation, getting a promotion might seem like a task reserved for only the most ambitious, driven and lucky people. However, it’s achievable for most people if they follow the tips mentioned earlier. So, become an expert in your field, network within your company, and be the go-to person in your department. Demonstrate that you have what it takes for more responsibilities. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting a promotion at work.