If you want to get a promotion at work, then you’ll be glad to know that this isn’t as impossible as you might think. Sometimes a few simple changes can help you to get on the right track and this is the best way for you to really make the most out of your career. Let’s explore what might be holding you back.
Not Asking for a Promotion
Sometimes the best thing that you can do is ask for a promotion. Sure, this can be stressful and at times you may even find that you end up feeling embarrassed because you are putting yourself at risk. At the end of the day, you have to make sure that your employers know that you are ambitious and that you are entirely focused on doing your best work as well. If you are able to do this then you will be able to really progress in your career and this can work wonders for you overall. It should be no surprise at all that a few decades ago, the average employer had a way lower workload when compared to now. The main reason for this is because in this day and age, employers need to be much more versatile. It’s also a much more competitive economy as well, and as people gain more skills, they are also having to do more jobs as well. This can make any job harder than it needs to be. If you want to help yourself here, then try and make sure that you are ready to ask for the promotion and that you are not overwhelmed in your position right now. You also have to make sure that you are handling your duties with ease and efficiency. If you are constantly making mistakes then this will not do you or your boss any favours, and your promotion will probably be turned down.
Neglecting Long-Term Goals
Another thing that you have to make sure of is that you are not pushing aside your long-term goals. Company employees often get so wrapped up with their day to day jobs that they forget about the bigger picture. So think about it, is what you are doing right now really what you want to be doing in 5 or even 10 years? If not, then you need to reposition yourself and you also need to try and get yourself back on track. If you focus on doing the job that you have well and if you are aligned with the office culture, then you will go way further in life than if you were trying to meet your boss’ every request. If you want to help yourself even more then make sure that you are enrolling on the right course. If you work in the educational field, then a Masters of Education course might work in your favour.
Overshooting your Target
If you work in a mature workplace that has some degree of hierarchy then everyone should know their place. If you try and impress your manager by handling all of their responsibilities as well as your own then this can be seen as threatening, and you may actually be annoying your supervisors instead of helping them. If you want to try and show that you are worthy of a promotion, then you need to make sure that you complete your job on time or ahead of schedule. If you do, then you’ll be able to show everyone that you are there to stay. You might also want to help some of your peers and work colleagues too, but remember that your manager should be able to handle their job without relying on you. If they can’t then this is a sign that they are not fit to be in the position, and if you keep on proving yourself, it may end up going back to you.
Being in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time
If you want to discuss your promotion with your boss then make sure that you are choosing a suitable venue and that you also schedule it in advance. You also need to make sure that you have enough time allotted as well. Avoid just before lunch and at the end of the day as well. The main reason for this is because that’s often when people are the busiest, and this won’t help you to get the answer you are looking for.
Asking for a Promotion based on the Wrong Factors
Sure, you might have been with the company for 10 years but that isn’t grounds for you to get a promotion. You have to make sure that you are proving yourself. This could include not just meeting deadlines, but also exceeding them. Longevity does not equal a promotion, so make sure that your contributions are actually creating value and that they are promoting the company in general. If you want to help yourself here, then try and make sure that you consult with a mentor and that you also focus on the right activities. You have to make sure that when you ask for your promotion, you have a recent or significant achievement that supports your milestone. The more you can make sure that this is the case, the more you can excel.
Testing your Employer
Trying to get a promotion as a strategy to see where you stand within your current firm is not something that you should be trying to do. There are much better ways for you to try and get a read on where you stand prior to this. This could involve discussing your future with your employer, finding out what paths there are for progression and also asking for constructive feedback.
Not Acting Appropriately
Complaining about clients or even your co-workers is the best way for you to talk your boss out of giving you a promotion. Comparing your worth to someone else is not the way to go. Sure, you might have put more work in on a project when compared to them, but this is not going to score you any points with your boss. After all, a leader needs to be respectful and a team player. If you want a promotion, then you have to make sure that you are able to deliver this.
Inappropriate Moves
Threatening to leave if you don’t get a promotion will also really work against you. You should never tell your boss that you are able to get a better level of pay elsewhere, or that other companies will fight for your skills. If you say things like this then this may end up costing you your dream job and this is the last thing that you need. If you do this, then you also risk your boss losing a lot of respect for you as well.
Being Unclear
You may think that all of this time you have been doing your job right, but what if you haven’t? Employees can sometimes go months on end thinking that they are doing their job right, only to find that they haven’t and that someone else has been picking up the slack. It’s impossible for you to go above and beyond without really knowing what you are going above and beyond for. Refer back to your job description and also make sure that everyone is happy with the work that you are putting in.
So, there are a lot of mistakes that people often make when trying to get a promotion. If you want to avoid these then you need to be clear about what your role is within the company, and you also need to help your colleagues. Respecting work hierarchy is also a good thing, as it will help you to progress within the company properly and efficiently.
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