Promotion at work

Promotions are not a given. Employees have to create and manage their own career paths through one or multiple organisations. And remember that a promotion is not always an upward path. Sometimes, especially in today’s business environment, you may need to make a lateral (side-ways) move to position yourself for a later upward move.

How do you develop your promotion plan? Incorporate the following strategies into your plan:

Develop mentoring relationships

One recent study found that in four out of five promotions, those promoted had a mentoring relationship with someone higher in the company who helped spread a good word about them. Some companies have formal mentoring programmes, but even if your company does not have one, there are still ways you can build relationships with people in higher positions in the company. Mentors can also be great sources of information and career guidance.

Quantify results

While promotions are not necessarily based on your past performance, you can certainly make a much better case for a promotion by showing detailed information about your past successes. Those who get results get ahead. Keep a record of everything you do that enhances the company’s bottom line, that puts the company or your department in a good light, that is creative and innovative, and that shows your loyalty and commitment to the organisation.

Practice self-promotion

We’re taught by our families that modesty is a virtue, but if no one knows how great you are, you simply won’t get ahead. Be a known quantity. If you have achieved major accomplishments or created new or award-winning programmes, make sure that people know about them, especially the people doing the promoting.

Establish a bond with your employer

It might help to think of your employer as one of those border guards between countries. He or she can either be raising the gate and waving you onward and upward to your next position within the company, or can be keeping the gate down and blocking you from any movement within the company. Use all opportunities to make your boss a key supporter of your promotion.

Some experts also suggest building rapport with your employer by learning more about his or her outside interests and hobbies and then chatting about them during office parties or other informal activities.

Acquire new knowledge and skills

It goes without saying that one of the best ways to succeed in securing a promotion is to expand your knowledge and skills in areas that are critical to the organisation. As technology and other environmental forces change rapidly, you need an ever-increasing skill not only to perform your job, but to stay marketable.

Build your network

The more people who know you, know your strengths and abilities, know your value to the organisation, and know (at least some of) your ambitions, the more likely your name will be discussed when opportunities arise. An added benefit of networking is that you will learn much more about the company if you network with people in other areas of the organisation.

Act professionally at all times

Earn a reputation for being dependable, professional, and cooperative. Act and look the part. The following tips may help:

• • Dress professionally and neatly even on business casual days

• • Ask questions when you aren’t sure how to do something

• • Dare to be different, make yourself stand out from the pack

• • Keep a positive outlook on things, even when in tough situations

• • Don’t whine or complain or blame others when things don’t go your way

• • Make a name for yourself in your industry through conferences, articles and speeches

• • Don’t be a clock-watcher.

Finally, be a problem solver. Don’t go to your employer with problems. If a difficult situation arises, be sure to come up with at least one solution before seeking your employer’s blessing for dealing with the situation. Problem-solvers get promoted. Complainers who expect the employer to solve all their problems don’t.

Create your own opportunities

If you see an area that has been neglected and you have key skills in that area, write a proposal for a new position. And even if the company does not establish the new position, you have again shown your initiative, creativity and value to the company and these things can only help you the next time you request a promotion.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about workplace wellness.