Promotion is the advancement of an employee's rank or position in an organisational hierarchy system. According to Malam Payroll, employee promotions are executed by defined tracks by producing a report listing those entitled to rank advancement based on a defined range of dates.
The following article shall take you through promotion in terms of how to get it done and what to say by answering a few questions you may have.
How can I get promoted at work quickly?
It is too simple to assume that a promotion will come your way ever so frequently. You have to do more than just logging in your hours every day to get promoted. You need to actively show that you are ready to take on a new role. Here are some tips about how you can get promoted:
Make your boss obsolete
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This does not mean that you are putting your manager out of a job. Ankur Gopal of Interapt says, “…the best way to get promoted is to make your boss’ job easier.” This means that you show that you can take over and he/she can focus on new areas. Strong work goes up the chain, improves the company and gets you noticed.
2. Own projects from start to finish
If you can prove that you can consistently own projects from start to finish, you will not only get promoted, but you will make yourself indispensable. It is as easy as that.
3. Maintain the right attitude
Nicole Munoz of Start Ranking Now suggests that people who get promoted keep their cool under stressful situations. They meet deadlines and ask relevant questions that help customers be happier with the product or service. When an issue arises you should want to solve it. Work on how to avoid future problems by learning your mistakes. Remember to learn from other's mistakes as well.
4. Raise other team members’ performance
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Businessmen, such as Joshua Lee, look for people who complete their assignments and ask what the next task will be. Rather than making themselves look good, they help their colleagues as well. Make sure to raise the performance of everyone around you.
5. Make your boss aware you want the promotion
At times management may not know you want it or has not thought of you as a candidate. Often management will tell you what you need to do to get the position. Be humble, inquisitive and passionate.
6. The work is what matters
Employees who own their work as a reflection of their values and take pride in doing work are the ones trusted with positions of responsibility.
7. Display commitment
“When people are committed, you can tell by the quality of their work, effort and relationships they develop. When employees show commitment, we notice and try to reward them with well-deserved promotions” ~ Alfredo Antanacio of Uassist.
8. Make money
If you are bringing in money, you will be promoted. According to Ross Resnick, Making money is the ultimate internal currency. All other internal performance metrics can be translated into the money-making metric. Anyone who understands enough of the business ROI levers to structure and ask for a different title will probably get it.
9. Attract and manage great talent
At a fast-growing company, hiring quality people quickly is one of the most important goals. Bring additional talent through your existing networks, convince that talent to join the organisation, and create a productive team you can work with. Showing that you can build and manage a profitable team is a clear path to promotion.
What does it mean to get promoted at work?
Being promoted means getting a bigger role within the organisation. The best way to show that you are worthy of that bigger role is by seeing beyond your day-to-day and thinking strategically about how your efforts can most help the organization.
This means understanding the business you are in and how your role – and your department fits in. That will empower you to make more strategic suggestions to your manager. It also means understanding the culture your organization is looking to build and acting in a way that exemplifies it.
How to justify your promotion to your boss
You need to earn your promotion by first acting in a promotable way. Here are the qualities you need to display to get that promotion:
- Be good at your job.
- Prove that you can develop yourself
- Have strong relationships across the organisation
- Listen to those around you
- Be purposeful with what you say
How to Ask Your Boss for a Promotion
The single biggest mistake people make looking for a promotion is they think if they keep their head down and work hard they will get one.
That is giving away your power. Be proactive – if you believe you are worthy of a promotion or would like to earn one down the road, ask your boss for it.
LinkedIn provides courses on how you can get yourself promoted. Follow the links below and get your equipped.
- Learning to Be Promotable – by Elizabeth McLeod and Lisa Earle McLeod
- Having an Honest Career Conversation With Your Boss – by Lida Citroen
- Developing Executive Presence – by John Ullmen
- Strategic Thinking – by Dorie Clark
What to say when you get promoted
For starters, you will need to thank your boss for giving you the opportunity. Show him/her that you look forward to the responsibilities in your new position.
Talk about the goals the department has to achieve, both for your company and your customers. When people have something to think about besides themselves and their feelings, their energy can be directed more productively. Remember, you were promoted to accomplish certain goals, and regardless of any hurt feelings, those goals still need to be accomplished.
Sifiso Dingani is a Talent Management Consultant at Industrial Psychology Consultants (Pvt) Ltd a management and human resources consulting firm. Phone +263 4 481946-48/ 481950/ 2900276/ 2900966 or cell number +26377 551 7211 or email sifiso@ipcconsultants.com or visit our website at www.ipcconsultants.com