Here are the top ten ideas to get a promotion, and hopefully a pay increase.
In our career, promotions are a critical milestone and are a benchmark for our progress. Unless you are independently wealthy promotion and pay raises are the way for you to lead a good life, save and build a nest egg.
So, how do you get that coveted promotion? And how do you get a pay raise that is well beyond the basic inflation? Working hard is an important component, but there are other strategies and techniques one can employ to boost their chances of getting a promotion. Here are the top ten ideas to get a promotion.
Top Ten Ideas to get a Promotion
Act the Part.
Get the position and promotion by acting as though you are already in the position. Shoulder more responsibilities and try to show traits and attributes that are a notch above. That way when the time for promotion comes around, your bosses will not hesitate whether you can do the job.
Dress the Part.
Dovetailing into the first tip, dress for the position that you are aspiring. Research indicates your appearance can make a substantive difference when it comes time for a promotion. But please ensure you are not coming off as a show-off or a flake going way beyond the norm. Dress like your boss but not perhaps the bosses three levels above.
Be the go-to person.
Become indispensable so that your company cannot possibly let you go. Whenever you are the can’t do without person, bosses will want to promote you or give you a raise just to keep you happy. Think about what you can do to build that cache of importance and indispensability.
Outgrow your job.
Do your current job with ease and ensure people know how good you are at the role. Promotions and raises often go to those that have outgrown their current role. Build up your expertise at your current job while demonstrating your chops for the next level up.
Befriend the Movers and Shakers.
Every company has its mavens, movers, and shakers. Try to identify such people. Then try to build relationships and look for opportunities to showcase your talent. These are the people who determine the future career progression of employees and being in the good books of such folks is a great career move.
Find Opportunities to be Visible.
Sitting and waiting for your work to shine through is not a winning proposition. You will need to find the right venues and opportunities to showcase the great work you are doing. Taking on assignments that matter to your bosses (and their bosses) will bring you into the spotlight. Of course, there is a risk that the tough assignment or complex project may blow up. But it may be worth the risk.
Be the last stop.
Become the go-to the person that your boss relies on for tough assignments. Volunteer for new opportunities and be one of the people that volunteer for them. Being the person who your boss can rely on to take on tough challenges is a great way to stand out, show that you’re motivated, and grow your cache and visibility within the company.
Solicit Feedback.
You may think you are doing great but do others think that way? So, go ahead and seek feedback from your superiors. In addition to feedback on your performance, get constructive criticism on where you can improve and how to make yourself valuable to the company. Following the advice of your superiors also will better your chances for a promotion.
Express your desire to get ahead.
It is important to not only work hard but be smart about letting your bosses know of your intentions about promotions and career growth. If you demonstrate enthusiasm for growth in the company, that will be a net positive in addition to the actual on the job performance.
Find the Right Place for your Talents.
Sometimes your current company may overlook your performance and ignore your desire to grow. In such cases, be willing to walk away and find a place that values your contributions and rewards you for your hard work and achievements. You don’t constantly threaten with leaving, but leave enough hints that you are serious about your career and hence you will pursue your dreams even if it has to be with a new company.