FEATURE ARTICLE
Get Yourself Promoted
By Lolita Villa
Promotion is a common
goal we all work hard for. It gives us something to aim
for during the long, hardworking, underpaid day at the
office. But while some people do step up the corporate
ladder, others seem to cling on to the lower rungs. Not
understanding the reasons why some people don't make vertical
may give rise to feelings of envy towards their colleagues
or bitter feelings against a boss who might be seen as
myopic or ungrateful.
It takes a little bit
of proactivity and open-mindedness to get out of stagnant
waters - especially if you're one of the people whose
promotions are taking too long in coming. The important
thing to remember is that promotions don't just happen
to you. It's not a gift that falls out of the sky. Promotions
(or variations of such, like getting a raise) are given
to the winner who runs the race, and who makes every effort
to stretch his arm out to get the prize.
There are a few practical
things you can do to get yourself promoted. Put them to
practice and watch yourself get one over the competition:
1. Be honest
with yourself. Evaluate yourself carefully if
you have what it takes to get promoted. Like everything
else in life, big breaks can be had when the basic elements
are in place: performing consistently well and having
a clean reputation are a given in every successful career.
If you haven't moved on in awhile, you need to ask yourself
whether it's due to factors beyond your control, or if
it's your fault.
2. Get a mentor
in the higher-up. A recent study found that four
out of five promotions involved a mentoring relationship
with a person in high position who endorsed the worker
in question. It helps to build relationships with people
who can give you more information and guidance in your
career, as well those who are able to pass on to the boss
a good word or two about your progress.
3. Get more
skills. Specialization is a good thing, but the
impact of technology, globalization, and flatter organizational
structures is changing what it means to be "marketable"
in the industry. Focusing on skills that are just related
to your present job will most likely just get you to stay
in that job. But if you have your eyes set on jobs of
higher responsibility, you need to assess and learn for
yourself what additional skills and knowledge that job
requires.
4. Sell yourself.
Advertising your achievements is sometimes mistaken by
others as "sucking up to the boss." This is
not true. It's a sad fact that no matter how hard working
or brilliant you may be in your little corner, you'll
get absolutely nowhere if nobody is aware of the good
you're doing in the organization. Be visible. Carbon copy
your accomplishment reports not just to your immediate
superior, but also to your boss's superior, whenever appropriate.
Volunteer to spearhead activities in your organization
such as leading seminars and the like.
5. Be a problem
solver. Employers like to feel that they have
nothing to worry about when a particular job is in the
hands of a dependable person. If you are able to handle
responsibilities and contingencies smoothly without having
to pull the boss out of his golf game or mid-morning meeting,
then you're halfway there.
6. Network
like crazy. Silent people are easily forgotten.
Don't let obscurity steal your chance at getting further
up the corporate ladder. Make friends with everyone. Establish
yourself as a cooperative, easy-going and productive person.
Be helpful. Go out of your way to make contributions not
only to your inner working sphere, but also to related
departments, especially where synergy and mutual advantages
can be had in the future.
7. Make friends
with your boss. Some people have the mistaken
belief that employers stand on one side of the fence,
while the employees are on the other. Though no person
or corporate culture is perfect, it helps to understand
that both you and your superior are in the same boat,
with the fruits of success are shared between you. Try
to forge a friendly bond with your boss, within the limits
of professionalism and propriety. Doing so will bring
you no harm.
8. Be professional.
Professionalism isn't just seen in the kind of work you
do. How you conduct yourself in your relationships with
your co-workers, having a positive attitude towards work,
being a role model, and looking and acting the part of
an executive (or any other position you want to acquire)
is important. Whining, complaining and bad mouthing other
people are common, unprofessional practices.
9. Be a team
player. These days, a lot of work is being accomplished
through teams. Getting a good reputation with your team
members is part of effective networking. It's also important
to share successes with team mates. Striving to look after
your own back with disregard for everyone else is anachronistic
in today's corporate culture.
10. Keep a
good record of your achievements. It helps to
keep a detailed and updated report of what you have accomplished
for your company. State specific tasks and undeniable
benefits derived from those tasks/ duties done. This is
a mere back-up prop. It helps to have some palpable evidence
of how much you deserve a promotion. The best way though,
to get recognized, is to practice a combination of the
tips mentioned above.
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