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Push for Promotion

Promotion: post-recruitment

What gives the person next to you the competitive advantage for that job promotion? Nowadays it is not as simple as 'walking the walk and talking the talk'. There are many other factors involved in guaranteeing you that next step up the career ladder.

Dress and Act the Part

Always dress for the position above you. Be sure that you are always neat and groomed. Even if you are sitting in on the world’s most pointless meeting, try to appear interested and to contribute and engage with your colleagues. Offer to take on extra work and head up projects, this shows leadership qualities.

Look at your Behaviour

Try making a list of the ideal qualities you should have in order to obtain that next position. For example, these would be appreciated in almost any job: ‘listening more’, ‘learning to bite your tongue when needed’, ‘arrive early and leave late’, ‘offer to help out with projects’.

Learn New Things

By taking an interest beyond your own job, in how the other departments work within the company you will have a clearer idea of how the company functions as a whole. This puts you in a better position to help in different areas and by taking an interest you are proving that you are keen to understand how the business operates at all levels.

Ask for it

Be proactive and ask for the promotion if you think you deserve it. Try to have facts and figures to back up your request for example ‘I have improved profits by 3%’ or ‘management of assets has been dramatically improved.’ If you go in with the answers ready it will be difficult for your manager to not oblige. Also consider how to 'go the extra mile' and what you bring to the organisation. Consider extra responsibility that you have taken on since beginning the job, it may be that you are already doing most of the new job duties already.

The main areas that managers in business want to hear about are increasing revenue, cutting costs and business growth. So if you have contributed to any of these, be sure to let them know.

Learn from it

If you are turned down for a job promotion, try not to feel too disappointed. Use this as a feedback session. Ask why and what further skills would be needed in order to get you there. If you over achieve in time for the next review and are turned down again, it may be time to consider your options. It may be worth looking at joining another company where progression is encouraged.