Isn't It Time for Your Job Promotion?
If you are committed to your career advancement, it's time to
consider a job promotion.
Trouble is, if you're like most ambitious career climbers, you
definitely want a promotion. But you're not too excited about
asking for one. Here are six tips that can put you on the path
to a successful job promotion:
1. Do your homework before you do anything. What have others in
your organization done to get promoted? What is the basis your
boss uses for promotions? . . . performance? . . . creativity? .
. . friendship?
2. Ask your boss what you can do to make yourself more valuable
to the company. And ask him/her during a routine performance
review. NEVER ask for a promotion. Instead, ask how you can make
a larger contribution.
3. Be prepared to demonstrate your accomplishments and
contributions. And do it very specifically by the numbers. I
mean by that you should quantify your results by showing dollars
generated, percentage growth, savings, etc.
4. Work out some practical suggestions for improvement or bring
to the table some new ideas. Write down your ideas in a
presentation that you can leave behind for your boss to review.
5. Look for opportunities to take on responsibilities that go
beyond your current job description. Gain more visibility by
taking additional training, or signing up for in-house seminars.
Make sure your boss knows about these career expanding
activities.
6. Most importantly, take the time to generate chemistry and
rapport with superiors. This does NOT mean buttering up your
boss or paying unwelcome compliments. It does mean asking
advice, being available to help out, looking for opportunities
to take on an extra assignment or pitch in.
A final piece of advice that can seriously upgrade your chances
to get a promotion: get yourself a mentor! Find a more senior
manager a couple levels above you--someone who is well-respected
in the organization. Turn that person into a career partner . .
. a business friend who can offer suggestions about the best way
to advance yourself. A good mentor can turn you into a job
promotion winner!