How to get the promotion and take your career to the next stage
Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash.
If you’re feeling stuck at work, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. Assuming you like your current company, consider a move to the next level of responsibility and influence. You don’t need to wait for your manager to call all the shots: Take action today that will help you get the promotion you deserve.
Take a proactive approach to your career growth using some of these approaches:
Speak Up
Let your manager know that you want to take on more responsibility in the company. Identify where you want to grow within the organization and then ask your manager for help in developing a career plan.
Working with your manager as a partner in your career growth shows that you want to contribute to company goals, and it allows her to apply your skills in the best way while also planning for the overall needs of the team should your promotion take you to another department.
One Forbes contributor frames this idea beautifully by urging you to:
“View your manager as your client. In fact, see them as your primary client. After all,they are the one budgeted for your salary. If they were your client, you would proactively consider what their needs are—including preferences, pain points and what they tend to say ‘yes’ to.”
When you approach your boss with her needs in mind, it makes it easier for her to hear your request for career growth.
Expand Your Scope
Demonstrate your ability and motivation by volunteering for new projects beyond your current job description. Again, work with your manager and let her know that you want to expand your skill set by contributing to or leading different projects.
It goes without saying that this extra work should not interfere with your assigned duties. Continue to show value in your current role while proving that you have the desire and skills for the next level.
Develop Your Skills
If you can enhance your value through training or certification, do it. Take every opportunity to learn and apply new skills. Identify the attributes and competencies that will make you successful in your target position and seek out ways to work on those areas.
In some cases, that will mean attending a seminar or taking a class. In others, it could mean reaching out to mentors or leaders within the company who can share their expertise.
And once you learn new skills, apply them in your work. Demonstrate that you know how to use the higher level skills to provide results that are valued by your company leaders.
Use Data in Your Favor
You know your value, but do others? Find ways to measure your contribution using quantifiable data. This tactic applies to more than business development and closing big deals. Even if you don’t have a sales role, think about how your work supports the company’s bottom line. Consider these examples:
Your marketing strategy increased website page views by 15 percent
Fewer complaints after your new customer service policy went into effect
A quality control idea of yours improved a process or production efficiency
Each employee plays a unique role in overall company success. Understanding your individual contribution will help you measure and demonstrate your value to higher-ups.
Offer Solutions
Some of the best employees point out problems and even disagree with superiors. However, there’s a huge line between offering constructive feedback and whining.
If you notice an issue, be prepared to offer solutions and ideas rather than complaints. Your value – and promotability – will increase tremendously if you help the company identify and solve problems that impede success.
If you would like to take your career to the next level, contact me to learn more about my approach to individual career coaching and salary negotiation.