Getting a promotion is usually a lagging indicator, meaning you must show you can do the work before achieving your next career goal. So, how can you ensure you are doing what you need to get promoted?
Achieving a promotion requires intentional actions and strategic planning. Let's explore four concrete steps to position yourself for your next career advancement.
Step 1: Master Your Current Role
Excelling in your current position is step #1. You cannot expect to get promoted if you can't handle your current workload. Here are a few ways to ensure you are managing your current role:
- Review Your Job Description: Review your job description quarterly to revisit & ensure you are covering your responsibilities.
- Document Your Wins: Keep a detailed log of your projects, emphasizing how you've met or surpassed goals.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from your superiors and peers to refine your performance.
Step 2: Make Your Boss's Job Easier
Assisting your boss makes their lives easier and positions you as a proactive problem solver, showcasing your potential for greater responsibilities. Here's how you can add value:
- Identify Pain Points: Actively seek out tasks that are cumbersome for your boss and find ways to improve efficiency, demonstrating your initiative and problem-solving skills.
- Manage Deadlines: Don't make your boss reach out and ask when you or your team will finish a project. Keep tasks and projects in a tool like Trello or even a spreadsheet & communicate status updates weekly.
Step 3: Increase Your Visibility
Being visible to key decision-makers is essential for being considered for promotions. Most leaders discuss potential promotions with other departments before making a decision. Here is how you can engage more deeply with your organization:
- Join High-Profile Projects: Take on roles in projects that are visible to senior leadership, showing that you can operate at a higher level.
- Lead and Share: Establish yourself as a thought leader by organizing knowledge-sharing sessions like demos and town halls, which can significantly boost your professional profile within the company.
Step 4: Communicate Your Goals
Clear communication about your career ambitions helps you receive the necessary guidance and support and ensures that your goals are on your manager's radar. Establish a clear path forward by:
- Setting Clear Goals: Discuss your professional aspirations and potential career paths in one-on-one meetings.
- Create a Development Plan: Collaborate on a plan that specifies the skills you need to develop and the steps required to achieve your goals, facilitating targeted growth.
Each of these steps is designed to build your case for a promotion. By demonstrating excellence in your current role, making strategic contributions, increasing your visibility, and communicating your career goals, you'll be well on the path to your next promotion.
How have you positioned yourself for your next promotion? Reply to this email or reach out to me at david@morethancoders.com. I reply to every email I get.