Getting promoted at work isn't just about hard work. If it was most people could get promoted at the first time of trying. Getting a promotion at work is sometimes an art form - as well as well planned. You have to know what to do and when to do it. It's about selling yourself but not being arrogant, creating a relationship with the boss without coming across to colleagues as an arse-kisser and a yes man and it's about working well (very well) with others.
Here are our top tips to get that promotion at work that you want.
Promote yourself
Sell yourself and be a known quantity at work by sharing your accomplishments with colleagues, but more importantly the boss. Send the boss a monthly email and detail what you've been doing and the successes you have achieved.
Know your goal
Be clear about the position you want as promotions come and go. So only apply for the promotion you want when that position becomes available.
Establish a bond with the boss
Building a positive relationship with the boss is a key factor in winning promotion. Having your boss on your side when promotion is an option is great as they will champion your cause. Crucially you'll be working closer to the boss when promoted so a positive working relationship will be advantageous in the short and long term.
Develop your soft skills
Soft skills relate to social skills and communication skills crucial to building positive working relationships with colleagues. This means listening to people when they come to you, engage others in conversations, being a team player and being positive around others at all times.
Demonstrate your commitment to your own professional development
Don't assume your current knowledge base is good enough to fill the shoes of the person above you.
Looking to develop your professional development shows a commitment to learn more about your own role and the roles working above you. But gaining more qualifications isn't enough. You need to tell the people around you (and your boss) that you have gained more knowledge about improving your performance.
Be professional at all times
Earn a reputation for being dependable and professional at all times. This includes:
- Dressing professionally and neatly
- Ask questions when you are unsure about something - this will minimise mistakes
- Be positive at all times, especially in stressful situations
- Be open-minded
- Don't be a clock watcher
- Deliver tasks ahead of time
- Don't voice your complaints or gossip with colleagues
Look the part
They say you should dress for the position you want, not the position you've got. So dress smartly every day and walk with confidence around your place of work. Getting a promotion is sometimes about perceptions, and you want the boss to perceive you as someone who means business and looks the part. You want them to image you in the role that you want not in the role you're currently in.
Ask for more responsibilities
Be the person who volunteers for everything. Be the person who picks up the challenging jobs as well as smaller jobs so your boss starts to see you as the 'go to' person at work when something needs doing and doing well.
Don't share the credit
Be a team player but put your name, and only your name on successful projects. This will mean leading a project rather than being a bit part player. But that's good. It will demonstrate you have the leadership skills to get things done.
Prepare for the interview
To gain a promotion at work you will tyically need to sit an interview. So practice your answers to questions like:
- What is your weakness? - Rememer to answer by saying what you have done to change this weakness to a positive.
- What are your strengths?
- Can you tell me a time your experienced success / failure?
- When was the last time you worked in a team?
- What will be your number on priority when if you were promoted?
Don't forget the dreaded 'What if..?' questions were the boss askes you to answer a question about a situation you might find yourself in if promoted.
For more advice about interviews visit our Interviews channel.
