5 steps to securing a promotion

1) First step – Communicate it, early! 

This first thing I realized is, you have to communicate your intentions early.

The first time I began socializing that I wanted to get promoted, I thought it was simply a case of ‘putting your hand up’ around two months before year-end, when promotion decisions are made.

I assumed that was sufficient time.

How wrong was I?

In actual fact, it was a whole process that you need to be thinking about and beginning to communicate at least a year in advance.

My advice is even if you’re met with skeptics, it’s important to make sure your intentions are known well in advance of the decision date. 

2) Do your research 

It can take a long time to reach that lucrative promotion or progression through the ranks, there are certain things you have to do and certain experiences you have to have to be considered for that role.

It’s difficult to tell exactly what leadership expects to see from someone to merit a promotion.

The best way I think you can figure this out is by speaking to people on your team who have been promoted and understand how they did it. Taking time to gain as many perspectives as you can really helps.

Your peers and the individuals you work with will really be able to give the best advice.

The only thing I would caution on this, is take opinions with a pinch of salt. You can very easily become overwhelmed if you try to do everything to meet a ‘made up’ criteria.

There is no set rulebook, every employee is unique.

For example, I was given the advice that I had to take on all this extra work to reach a promotion, which given the project I was working on at the time would have resulted in me having to work 12+ hour days.

My rule of thumb which has served me well thus far, is only take on extra work if you can deliver it to 100% of your ability.

If I am consistently working 12+ hour days, I will inevitably become tired and burnt out and have too much on my plate to deliver everything to 100% of my ability.

In summary, do your research, gather perspectives to guide you but don’t work yourself into the ground trying to satisfy each opinion. 

3) Speak to your boss, and bring them along with you

The next step in the process is having the all-important conversations with your boss.

Take time to understand what their expectations are for a promotion candidate and someone in the role you want to be promoted to.

Get feedback to understand how you can bridge the gap between how you’re currently operating and the next level, once you find tactical things to address you can manage this throughout the year.

This will also help you to really showcase what you’re doing and begin sharing your intentions with leadership so when those decision points arrive and your name comes up they will connect the dots.

In my experience, I made sure to have multiple touch-points with my boss during the process which consistently reminds them of my desire for promotion and it helps you to understand early if there are any gaps or areas you need to focus on.

That way, you can keep your finger on the pulse in terms of staying on track and meeting the needs of a successful promotion candidate as leadership are the ultimate decision makers.