If you’ve been at the same job for a long time, you might be wondering if a promotion is in the near future. After all, you are one of the most seasoned employees. The fact is, however, that it takes more than just logging hours to make it to the next level. You can’t assume that a promotion will be coming simply because you have been loyal to your company for a long time. You need to actively show your boss that you are eager to tackle new challenges and you are ready for more responsibilities. If you want to advance your career, you will need to have excellent work performance and you need to go the extra mile to catch your supervisor’s attention. While experience and skills are certainly important, you can take extra measures to become a prime candidate for a promotion. Here are some things you can do to increase your chances of getting promoted.
Advance Your Skills
One of the best things you can do to increase your chances of getting a promotion is to advance your skills. The more skilled you are, the more valuable you become to your company. You can advance your skills by taking continuing education courses or by earning specialized certifications. Not only will these skills help set you apart from other candidates, but taking the initiative to advance your skills will show your supervisor that you are dedicated to your company.
Ask Your Boss for Feedback
If you want to know more about what it takes to get promoted, ask your boss. Express your desire to advance your career and ask them for advice on how you can achieve that goal. Ask for authentic feedback regarding your current performance and get an idea of what areas you could improve in order to earn a promotion. Ask your supervisor for specific suggestions on things you can do to improve your chances of getting promoted.
Make Yourself Known
No matter how hard you may be working, those efforts may go unnoticed unless you put yourself in a visible position. If you want your supervisor to promote you, you want them to notice you. Look for opportunities to do things that will catch your supervisor’s attention such as volunteering to take the lead on projects. Speak up at staff meetings and offer suggestions. Make an appearance at company-wide events. Dress professionally and be sure to speak and be friendly around the office. These things will get people talking about you…in a good way.
Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
If you want to move to a higher position you will need to demonstrate that you have the right leadership skills. When you are giving a project, work hard to exceed expectations and show the company that you are indispensable. Look for opportunities to show your supervisor that you can lead and motivate your colleagues. Volunteer to take the lead whenever you can and make yourself a role model for your coworkers.
Keep Track of Your Accomplishments
Your supervisor might not be tracking every one of your achievements but you should be doing so. From awards and certifications to successful implementation of new ideas and excellent performance on projects, keep a log of quantifiable accomplishments so you have concrete evidence of your performance. This will be important when it comes time to negotiate a promotion because you will be able to use this as evidence of the value you bring to the company.
Keep a Positive Attitude
Showing passion and enthusiasm for your job is a must. You want people to see that you genuinely care about the success of the organization and you want your positive attitude to be visible to all. Stay calm under pressure and try to keep a positive attitude even in the face of adversity and challenges. These are the traits of a true leader.