ID HOTELIER - It is no secret that in order to be promoted at work, you need to do more than just show up and do your job. You need to go above and beyond, stand out from your peers, and continuously demonstrate that you are an asset to the company. But what does that mean, exactly? And how can you make sure that you are on the path to being promoted? Here are nine ways to make yourself more promotable at work
1. Be a Leader, Not a Follower
When it comes time for promotions, companies want to see that their employees can take charge and be leaders. If you have never been in a leadership position before, start by taking on small projects and demonstrating that you have what it takes to be successful. This will show your manager that you are not afraid of responsibility and that you have the ability to lead others.
Leadership is more than a title, it is a mindset that transfers to behavior. Behaviors such as being proactive vs. reactive, thinking and acting with a long-term view in mind vs. a short-term one, having the ability to see the “big picture” vs. getting bogged down in the details, and being able to inspire and motivate others are all key leadership behaviors. If you can demonstrate these behaviors at work, you will be well on your way to being promoted.
2. Look for Opportunities to Go Above and Beyond
Whenever there is an opportunity to go above and beyond your normal job duties, take it! This could be anything from taking on additional projects or responsibilities to offering to help out with a task that is outside of your normal scope of work. Whatever it is, show that you are willing to put in the extra effort and that you are reliable.
Think about what work you can do that will make a positive impact on the company as a whole. This could be coming up with new and innovative ideas, streamlining processes, or finding ways to save the company money. If you can make a significant impact, you will be one step closer to being promoted.
3. Pursue Lifelong Learning
In order to be promotable, you need to continuously learn and grow. This means keeping up with industry trends and developments, reading trade publications, and taking advantage of any opportunities for professional development. Showing your boss that you are committed to lifelong learning will demonstrate that you are invested in your career and that you have the potential to grow into a bigger role within the company.
As you pursue learning opportunities, be sure to document what you have learned. This could be in the form of a portfolio, blog, or even just a list of courses or books you have read. Having this documentation will come in handy when it comes time to ask for a promotion.
4. Be a Team Player
No one likes a lone wolf who only thinks about themselves. To be promotable, you need to be a team player who is always looking for ways to help others. This means offering assistance when needed, sharing credit when deserved, and being someone that others can rely on. When your boss sees that you are always working for the good of the team, they will be more likely to promote you to a leadership position.
Some examples of being a team player include:
- Being willing to lend a helping hand
- Sharing credit with others
- Being a good listener
- Being open to others’ ideas
- Offering constructive criticism
As you work on being a team player, you will likely find that you are more productive and that you enjoy your work more. And when your boss sees this, they will be more likely to give you more career growth opportunities.
5. Take Initiative
Don’t wait around for someone to tell you what to do – take initiative! If you see a problem that needs to be fixed or a process that could be improved, speak up and offer your suggestions. Showing that you are proactive and always looking for ways to improve things will demonstrate that you have the potential to be a leader.
Some ways to take initiative at work include:
- Identifying problems and offering solutions
- Streamlining processes
- Automating tasks
- Implementing new ideas
Taking initiative will not only make you more promotable, but it will also make you more indispensable to your company.
6. Be Passionate About Your Work
Your boss wants to see that you are passionate about your work and that you truly care about the company’s success. One way to show this is by going above and beyond your normal job duties. Another way is to get involved in extracurricular activities, such as volunteering for company committees or spearheading new initiatives. Whatever you do, make sure that your passion shines through.
When you are passionate about your work, it will show in everything you do. That becomes contagious and will start to rub off on others. Your boss will take notice of this and will be more likely to give you opportunities for career growth.
7. Be Positive
No one likes working with a Negative Nancy. To be promotable, you need to be positive and upbeat, even when things are tough. This doesn’t mean that you have to be fake – just focus on the good and be an overall pleasant person to be around. When your boss sees that you are always positive, they will be more likely to want to give you opportunities to succeed.
Some ways to be more positive at work include:
- Focusing on the good
- Being solution-oriented
- Remaining calm under pressure
- Being a good role model
Being positive is not only good for your career, but it’s also good for your mental health. As you start working on being more positive, you will soon see the benefits in your career.
8. Be a Good Communicator
Effective communication is essential for any leader. If you want to be promotable, make sure that you are always clear and concise when communicating with your boss and coworkers. This means avoiding jargon, using proper grammar, and being respectful of others’ time. When your boss sees that you are a good communicator, they will be more likely to promote you to a leadership position.
If you find that you need to work on your communication skills, there are many resources available to help you. You can take a class, read a book, or even listen to a podcast. The important thing is that you are always working on improving your communication skills.
9. Be Coachable
No one is perfect, and that’s okay! To be promotable, you need to be coachable and receptive to feedback. This means being open to criticism and using it as an opportunity to improve. Showing your boss that you are coachable will demonstrate that you have the potential to grow into a bigger role within the company.
You can also make yourself more coachable by:
- Asking for feedback
- Listening to others
- Taking constructive criticism well
- Making an effort to improve
If you work on being coachable, you will find that it will be easier to receive feedback and criticism. This is an essential skill for anyone who wants to be promotable.
Final Thoughts
If you want to be promoted at work, it is important to do more than just show up and do your job. You need to stand out from your peers, continuously learn and grow, and be a team player.
From taking initiative to being positive, these nine tips will help you stand out from your coworkers and prove to your manager that you have what it takes, and increase your chances of being promoted into a leadership position within your company.
Let's Hear From You!
What other tips would you add for ways to make yourself more promotable at work? Share them in the comments below!
Becky Vinton - talent strategist with over 20 years' experience improving the effectiveness of organizations and enhancing employee experience as a global human resources leader and business consultant. She holds an MBA Degree and several certifications including Human Capital Strategist by the Human Capital Institute.
I created Your Inspired Career to help people like you find the answers they need for a successful career and enriched life. I'm on a mission to help you thrive at work, further your life goals, achieve your career dreams & reach your full potential.
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