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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