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Do you feel like you're stuck in your current job? Are you ready to move up?
It's tough to climb the corporate ladder, but if you want a job that excites you
and pays well, you'll likely have to make the climb at some point. If you want
to get a promotion, you'll need to be a
patient team player while also being an ambitious self-promoter. It's a
difficult balance to strike, but these tips can help.
Work for a company that can give you room to grow. The type of company you work can determine your potential for promotion. When applying for jobs, seek out companies with opportunity for advancement. You don't have to work for a huge corporation, although these usually offer plenty of promotion possibilities at any given time, but you do want to look for a company that has enough going on so that you can be assured you're not running into a dead end. Preferably this company will be doing well and growing, though many companies, especially very large ones, tend to grow in cycles.
Concentrate on just doing the best you can in your current position. Excellent performance reviews aren't sufficient to get you a promotion, but they're necessary for it. So are good attendance, punctuality, and a willingness to go the extra mile when the company needs it. Be known as the first to arrive at work and the last to leave. Showing up 5 minutes early and leaving 5 minutes after your shift can turn into a fortune of extra income over your lifetime when you are the one that gets the promotion.
Make sure people know you're doing a great job. You don't want to toot your own horn too much, but you can't always expect your merits to speak for themselves. Keep in good contact with your supervisor, and make sure he or she knows what you've been up to (assuming you've had some smashing successes). Don't be an attention grabber or "brown-noser," but make sure people know who you are and make sure you get credit where credit is due.
Be popular. In an ideal world, promotions would be based solely on merit. We don't live in an ideal world, though, and office politics will often play a role in who gets promoted and who doesn't. Use and develop your people skills. Be kind and helpful to your coworkers, supervisors, and underlings. Develop relationships with people you work with, play golf with the boss, and get to know people (other than your immediate supervisor) who make decisions in the company. Be present at company events and network with people from outside your department.
Make sure the right people know you want a promotion. Don't be afraid to tell your supervisor about your career goals--most good supervisors will ask you about them and try to be helpful. Continue to do a great job in your current position, and don't seem fed up with your current work, but let decision makers know if you really want a particular job.
Apply for jobs within the company. These days you can't just wait for a promotion to fall in your lap. That happens sometimes, but most promotions, especially at large companies, require you to go through the application and interview process, and usually you'll have to compete with candidates from outside the company.
Apply for the right positions. Don't just apply for any opportunity that pays a bit more than your current job. Look for opportunities that you are genuinely interested in and that you are qualified for. You don't have to have all the skills listed in the job description, and you probably won't, but you want to be able to make a good case that you'll be able to get up to speed quickly.
Take the application process seriously. Too often, internal candidates figure they've got the new job in the bag, but studies show that as few as 1/3 of internal candidates win the better jobs they seek. External candidates can be extremely competitive because they have no pretenses of security--they want the job, and they know they'll have to put their best foot forward to get it. In addition, companies sometimes want to bring in new people to bring new skills or perspectives to the organization. The lesson here: don't be complacent, and remember to "sell" yourself as you would if you were applying for any other job.
Seek out new skills. If you become the best customer service representative of all time, you're well on your way... to remaining a highly regarded customer service representative for the rest of your career. It's not enough to be great at your job; you also have to develop marketable skills that prepare you for more responsibility. When you gain skills and qualifications far beyond what your current job requires, your employer may see keeping you in that job as a waste of your talents.
Go to school. If you haven't earned a Bachelors degree, do it. If you have, consider earning a Masters or PhD, but only if one of these qualifications will help you achieve your career goals. Don't just go back to school for the heck of it. Instead think about what programs will help you climb the corporate ladder. Sometimes specialized professional designations or licenses can be far more important to getting a promotion than degrees, and sometimes you may just need to take some classes to improve your computer skills or accounting ability, for example. There are a wide range of education programs available that allow you to go to class in the evenings or on weekends, and there are also ample opportunities for accredited self-study and online learning. What's more, your employer may reimburse you for certain tuition expenses, so it may be possible for you to expand your knowledge at no cost to yourself.
Take on temporary projects. Temporary projects can be a great way to broaden your skills and network with people from other areas of the company. Many people feel uncomfortable volunteering for these assignments because they can be challenging and can force you out of your comfort zone. That's the point.
Volunteer. If you're not getting new skills at work, consider volunteering your spare time to a non-profit organization. Large, well-recognized non-profits almost always offer a wealth of opportunities to learn new things, and smaller organizations may also have suitable projects you could work on. Successful non-profits typically look to fill volunteer positions with people who are qualified to do the job, but with a little persistence you should be able to find an opportunity that uses your existing skills and helps you build new skills. Your community involvement can also be a plus toward your getting your promotion.
Get a mentor. A strong relationship with a manager or someone higher up in your department can open a lot of doors for you. For one thing, you'll likely learn a lot about the organization and about the jobs you might want to get in the future. For another, you'll have an ally who will be willing to go to bat for you when you do decide to apply for a new opportunity. Finally, your mentor may groom you to succeed him or her when they move up or retire.
Groom a successor. It's a common paradox: you're so good at your job that you're indispensable, but you're so indispensable in your current position that the company would fall apart if you were to leave that position. The solution to this problem is to take another employee under your wing and train him or her so that they will be ready to fill your shoes if you get promoted. Some people are afraid that their understudy will take their job if they do this, but as long as you're a great employee and continue to develop your skills, the only way you'll lose your current job is by getting promoted. Training another employee (or several) also shows that you have management skills and that you care about helping other employees develop their skills.
Develop a new position. If you figure out a better way to do your existing job or see the need for a new position, don't be afraid to talk to management about creating this position. Since you're the one who saw the need and, presumably, you're best qualified for the position, this can help you take on new responsibilities, even if you don't get a big pay raise at first.
Seek employment elsewhere. If, for whatever reason, you seem to be at a dead end with your current employer, it's time to look for better opportunities elsewhere. This can be hard if you feel a loyalty to your employer, but you do need to do what is in the best interest of your career or you will become unhappy with your job. Recent surveys show that as many as 75 percent of employees are looking for new jobs at any given time, so you won't be alone.
If you're doing a great job and have had rave performance reviews but have still been passed over for a promotion or two, maybe there's something your manager isn't telling you. You may want to ask some questions about why you didn't get the promotion and what skills or qualities the successful candidate had that you didn't. Be polite and tactful, but try to get real answers. This is not an opportunity to complain, but rather a chance to find out what you can do to get the next promotion you want.
When looking for companies that give you room to grow, it's always a good sign if they mention that they like to promote from within. Don't take this assurance too seriously, however. No matter where you work, you will probably still have to compete with external candidates.
If you have particular career goals in mind--and you should--perform a "gap analysis." This is an analysis of where your skills and qualifications are at now compared to where they need to be to get to the next level and to achieve your overall career goals. Think about this carefully and honestly, and then work out a plan to close the gap.
Try as you might to avoid office politics, at times you do have to take sides. Do so gracefully and reasonably, and be careful not to burn bridges or alienate people.
Patience is a virtue, even when seeking a promotion. Be realistic with yourself about your qualifications and job performance, and don't get frustrated if you get passed over for a promotion. Wait for the right opportunity. But don't wait forever.
Tired of climbing the corporate ladder? Strike out on your own. If you have marketable skills or a hobby which you are passionate about, such as 'gossiping' and consider your own show as stand-up comedian.
It can be difficult to let people know you're competent and ambitious without seeming arrogant or threatening. You do need to be assertive, however, to get what you want. Just remember to be tactful, helpful, and kind to everyone you work with--not just to your boss.
If you apply for jobs willy-nilly, hiring managers may begin to take you less seriously, and your current supervisor may question your dedication to your existing job. The same can be said if you apply for other jobs too quickly. Be patient, and take the time to develop competence in one job before trying to move up.
Be careful to set reasonable expectations for yourself. It can be easy to burn yourself out by trying too hard. For example, if you often work more hours per week than you can maintain indefinitely, you may set an expectation in others that you will continue to work those hours.
Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get a Promotion. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
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By Andrew Smith
Job promotions are not something that happens all of a sudden. Getting promoted
is not only about your growth but it is equally proportional to the benefits an
organization expects you to deliver for them.
In short to expect a promotion one has to prove his abilities and capability as
an individual or in other words be an efficient employee.
In order to achieve the status of an efficient employee one must keep the
following things in mind:
· Ensure that you do your job well within the time and at desired quality levels
· Master your job: make sure you know the current job you are on as well as the
back of your hand. Be an expert.
· Try and keep yourself away from workplace politics and gossips. Having said
that, do not totally exclude yourself from the workplace politics because having
contacts and having influence can help as well as hinder, so be selective and
have the correct approach.
· Be a good listener, this will always help you to enhance your working
capabilities.
· Have a positive approach towards responsibilities delegated on you.
· Always try and do a bit extra then what you have been asked to do while
strictly keeping in mind the work done is acceptable and useful to the company.
· Look presentable: Although it may sound strange that how the way you look has
an impact on your working capacities but it definitely changes the way a person
perceives you.
· Patience is required in some instances where after meeting all the above
points a promotion is not secured, hang on its on the way.
· Continuously keep upgrading your skill rapid changes in technology and
management approaches it's absolutely necessary for an employee to upgrade
continuously to enable him to perform well as well as keep his chances for a
promotion alive.
Andrew Smith is a co-site owner of HowToAll, a site providing information on how
to do things on a numereous topics.
http://www.howtoall.com
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By Richard Adams
If you have a job, you are one of the lucky ones. Many people, these days, don't
have what you have. But, like all things, sometimes what you have is not enough
- you need to make more money. If you are a good worker and valuable to your
employer, getting a promotion and earning a little extra cash should be a
realistic goal for you.
If you are looking for a promotion and/or a raise, there are a few things you
should know:
1 - Never ask for a raise based on the fact
that you need more money. Any employer in their right mind will turn you down
immediately. Asking for a raise because you are spending too much it tantamount
to begging.
2 - Before you ask for a promotion or raise, make sure you have done the job you
were hired for and exceeded it. The best way to get a promotion is to already be
doing that job. If you are an assistant secretary and you want the secretary
job, you had better already be doing the job of secretary and be able to prove
it.
3 - State your case. Enter any negotiations for a promotion or pay raise with a
written statement documenting your ccomplishments. If you have done X or Y, brag
about it. If you have saved the company X amount of money, tell them. Make sure
your employer knows that you are valuable.
4 - You may be valuable, but you are also replaceable. Do not threaten your
employer with notions that you may leave. Once an employee states that they are
thinking of leaving, a smart employer will get rid of them. You cannot hold your
company hostage. You need them more than they need you.
5 - Make yourself more valuable to them. Work on your education, think up new
ways to save the company money or become more efficient. By taking a proactive
approach to your job, your employers will see that you are a valuable asset to
the company.
6 - Ask for a promotion and if you don't get it, ask again in six months. You
may not get the promotion the first time around, so ask again. In the meantime,
find out what it is that prevented you from getting the promotion and work on
improving that aspect of your performance.
In your life, you will be turned down for promotions several times, so don't
sweat it. Use the knowledge you receive in the denial to make yourself a better,
and thus more valuable, employee.
If you want to know how to make more cash then a great resource is
http://www.make-cash-today.com
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By David W Richards
Haven't been promoted after working for the same company for ages? No need to
feel jealous at your colleague with better career. He/she might deserve it.
What about you? Look into yourself. Evaluate your work. How do you rate yourself
in terms of job?
Have you been performing well? Or, not?
Maybe its time for you to do more than usual. You might think that you have done
it up to the maximum level. But, its not for you to judge. Its your supervisors
job.
So, what to do to change their opinion about you? How to make them give you the
opportunity to get the promotion?
Try these below tips:
1.Understand your pluses
What are you goon at doing? Is the job you are currently doing related to your
skill? Or, it is not something you're good at? There is a possibility that you
haven't got the promotion because you are placed in the wrong position. You are
not good at marketing, yet you have to sell products. You might be good in
writing, yet you are working as an HRD staff. If you have understood your
capability, it is easier for you to get a job in which you can be the best.
2.Never stop learning
You have found out what you are good at doing. Yet, you stop there. You get
satisfied easily. This is completely wrong. You must keep learning no matter
what. Get more knowledge and skill by joining some workshops or courses. Don't
get satisfied easily!
3.Commitment, sense of belonging and hard work
Try to commit to do the best for the company. Build a sense of belonging towards
the company. If you have done those two, it will be easier for you to work hard.
Because, no matter what you do, it will have an impact on the company and
eventually will have an impact on you, the employee.
David W Richards has a major interest in self-improvement. He has also been
creating interesting websites such as
http://insuranceyacht.info,
http://insurancewoman.info, and
http://insurancevacancy.info.
If you are interested in the essentials for perpetual job promotion, in a blueprint for all career paths, then click the banner below and join as a Pro Member:
By Joyce Jackson
Every career can use a boost from time to time. Salaries can increase and job
outlooks look better when career enhancement tools are used to benefit the
person who needs several things working in their favour in the workplace. Career
enhancement tools vary but one thing is clear and that’s the success you can
realize by using career enhancement tools.
There are many career enhancement tools you can use to help you become more
successful in your job or self guided business. Home business owners often use
these tools too. Take a look at the list below and see which tools for career
enhancement will help you most.
• The Occupational Outlook Handbook which is placed online by the US Bureau of
Labour offers career guidance in many different areas. You can find out salary
reports as well as educational requirements for certain careers and the general
outlook for certain careers.
• Aptitude tests are wonderful job enhancement tools for employers and help
employers determine who is suited for certain positions within a company.
• How-to books are great tools career minded individuals will use from time to
time. These books include everything from financial guides to skill training in
many different areas.
• Books on particular careers which offer real life biographies and case studies
are also great in enhancing careers. Individuals use these studies and life
stories to relate their experiences on the job with others who have been there
and done that!
• Video media is a great way to train and enhance careers of multiple
individuals and proves very successful for the training in larger call centers
and facilities which train numerous employees.
• Books such as Jeffery Gitomer’s Little Red Book of Selling and Dale Carnegie’s
Lifetime Plan for Success which includes How to Win Friends and Influence People
are both great career enhancement tools for people who want to get ahead in
their workplace.
• Going to see live speakers such as the speakers seen at sales conferences can
greatly enhance career opportunities. Speakers trained to help you generate
sales or build self esteem are highly productive in helping career minded
individuals get ahead in their respective careers.
• Listening to self-empowerment tapes and CDs can greatly boost your job
productivity.
• Attending on-the-job training classes as well as technical classes to help you
cross train in many different aspects of your work place is great too.
• Being well informed is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself and
being a cross-trained employee is one of the best ways to enhance your career
through salary increases and better career opportunities.
• Talk to others in your field. Put yourself in the company of others who are
not only successful but know they are successful. In doing so, you’ll learn how
they are able to be a success and you’ll have the opportunity to rub shoulders
with people in your industry who can offer you some sound advice when you need
it which can certainly enhance your career!
How to become more successful in business is determined by what you are able to
do to self-empower yourself in your career choices and career training. You have
to know not only how to empower yourself but you also need to know where to find
the career enhancement tools to give you the competitive edge.
Locating classes, training and other tools is very simple using the keyword
search feature on AOL as well as Google searches. You’ll find the difficult part
of finding tools to enhance your career is not in finding the career enhancement
tools but in being dedicated enough to do something with them once you locate
the tools to give you a career boost!
Joyce Jackson is a career enhancement expert and licensed architect and consults
regularly with professionals to advance their careers. See her extensive tips at
http://careerenhanceonline.com
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By Sharon Alexander
Whether you work in education, for a
corporation or a non-profit organization, you will need to let people know your
work. If you notice, there are certain people in your current organization who
always seem to get recognized for their visibility at work.
If you want to move up in your career and you want to show that you can
influence people in your job, it's time to look at strategies to create
visibility at work. Here are 10 tips to help you maintain visibility at work:
1. Take a self-inventory -- this is basically an assessment of where you are in
your current position. What are the skills and attributes you have that are
important to the company. If you aren't sure, ask your boss.
2. Keep up with professional development -- make sure that you take any
opportunity to upgrade your skills or your knowledge in your profession. If a
new opportunity comes along, you want to be able to take it.
3. Take credit for the jobs you do well --when someone notices that you have
done a good job, gracefully thank them and then suggest that you are pleased
with what you did.
4. Show initiative and motivation - volunteer for committees or new products
that come up. Sometimes taking a project that is a bit risky that you know you
can make succeed will put you in the forefront of the bosses' mind.
5. Write articles - share your information that you discover in a company
newsletter or other publication that is appropriate. Also join a professional
organization and write for their newsletter. This will insure your visibility at
work.
6. Promote others -- when you want visibility, help someone else to become
visible. If you are a part of a team and they have finished putting together a
project, make sure that they get visibility for their contributions.
7. Get involved -- let people get to know you through company gatherings. Talk
to people from all over the company and get to know a wide selection of people
in addition to those you already know.
8. Keep a portfolio -- whether you are in a job where a portfolio is necessary
or not, it is a good idea to keep a portfolio of all the projects you've worked
on and seen through to the end. Even the first page of each report is good. This
will give you something to talk about to your boss at a later date.
9. Ask for a promotion when its time -- some people become visible but forget to
ask for a promotion when the timing is right. Use your portfolio to help and
outline what you've done and why you feel a promotion is a good idea.
10. Share your knowledge -- be sure to share your knowledge at conferences, in
special meetings or whenever the opportunity is appropriate. The more you can
maintain your visibility at work the better.
Maintaining visibility at work is important, especially if you want to move up
the career ladder. These tips should help you out, the important thing is not to
loose focus.
Sharon Alexander - Claim That Job For more information on how to manage your
career successfully, and to get a free job hunting report, visit Claim That Job
at http://www.claimthatjob.com.
If you are interested in the essentials for perpetual job promotion, in a blueprint for all career paths, then click the banner below and join as a Pro Member:
If you are interested in the essentials for perpetual job promotion, in a blueprint for all career paths, then click the banner below and join as a Pro Member:
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