Do's and don'ts of getting a promotion

Many of us have had an upbringing that values effort and hard work above all. Even so, sometimes it is not enough when we aspire to a promotion.

The bad reputation of climbers at work is well known, however, there is nothing wrong with wanting our work and professional effort to be recognized, and at the same time our income derived from it to be increased.

Being recognized as a valuable member of the organization is essential if you want to access a position with a better title or better salary. But to be a future leader and stand out use these steps to move up at work.

Here are some good tips to show that you are ready for a promotion:

• Make your boss's job easier

I'm sure if you've been in your position for some time, you know what your boss is most concerned about. If you are able to take away those kinds of worries, they will see you as a reliable and above all capable person. Stand out as a team player and be involved in everything concerning the organization. If you also cover their responsibilities during their free time outside the office, you are sure to increase their professional perception of you.

• Strive for communication skills

Investing time in learning how to communicate with different types of people is usually a very good investment. Since moving up the ladder often means moving into a leadership role, the more people you manage, the more important your communication skills will be. Hence, learning how to communicate has a lot to do with learning how to move up. All the time you invest now in networking will make things easier later when you become the boss of these people.

• Ask how you can advance

Surely in your current position you are already doing an excellent job. More than likely, your superiors have already seen that you may be ready for a promotion. However, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, so ask how you can improve. Invest some of your time in working on new skills and rehearse how to receive feedback as if you already have the promotion and several people under you. Show your superiors that you are ready to move up to the next level by even taking criticism constructively, without getting defensive, just being more open-minded and self-critical. This will also help your own colleagues and superiors see that you are a good listener, that you know the importance of others' opinions and that you value teamwork.

• Be friendly

Create sincere and solid relationships within the organization. Your superiors know the importance of support from others to promote you, even more so if those others are going to become your team members. Your own colleagues will support you when it matters most and to a large extent this is due to how you have related to them. That's why it's so important to be personable, respectful and sincere with your colleagues.

• Be able to recognize the work of others

Your promotion is not only due to your merits. In fact, although good individual work can bring a positive appraisal of a person, companies promote those who create well-managed, motivated work teams. A first step can be to recognize the work of others above even talking about how good you are at doing so many things. It's sure to make you look good and perhaps the colleague you thank might return the favor.

• Let your manager know

Don't be afraid to tell your bosses that you want a promotion. Forget about demands and be much more open to dialogue. Ask them what it takes to get that promotion. This puts them in the position of a guide or mentor, becoming personally involved in your professional success. They can help you develop new skills and keep you in mind when the next promotion comes along. As your manager, they will be proud of their mentee if they get promoted.

• Provide economic value

All companies want results and most of the time they are their reason for existing. So if you are able to grow revenue or save money for the organization you will be demonstrating your valuable contribution. Undoubtedly this puts you in a position of strength supported by your own results to justify more competencies, responsibilities and the corresponding salary increase associated with them.

• Look at others who have been promoted

Has anyone in your organization been promoted lately? Learn all you can from their experience and see if they have any advice for you. Ask them how they got it. Maybe they took on more work and additional responsibilities, went back to school, it was a newly created position. From all of this you can glean valuable information that you can then use to your own advantage.

• Manage difficult situations intelligently

Now that you've gotten your promotion, it's time to celebrate. However, be aware that this comes with its own stress. The risks of a new position of greater responsibility are greater, more meetings, more people interacting with you, more complex problems to solve. You have to know how to manage all this. Develop your own skills to manage the overwhelm and thrive in a balanced way between life and work. This will not only make everything flow more smoothly but will also prepare you for the future as you advance to higher levels.

• Provide value whenever possible

Dominating a conversation may seem like a leadership trait, and sometimes it is, but there is a balance to be struck between being passionate and providing valuable input. Streamlining processes for greater efficiency can free up extra time that can be spent on developing your own skills or on projects that certainly deserve attention.

What to avoid if you want to be promoted?

• Don't burn out

You have to manage your efforts wisely and carefully. It is not worth putting your health or career growth at risk. It is usual to put a lot of energy into your promotion, a lot of effort on your part to get the best possible appearance. But working long hours, with many open projects and commitments, this can be counterproductive. You may even end up burning out or leaving some important task aside. Keep this in mind.

 

• There is no Me vs Others

Everyone can have their space to succeed. Just because you want that newly available position doesn't mean that others want it too. You can't allow your insecurity or ambition to make you act in a way that you will regret later. Don't compare yourself, don't look down on other members of your team, it's much smarter to focus on how you can improve everyone when you're in your new position.

• Don't use ultimatums

Using a new job offer, in a better position, and at a higher salary to get a promotion is outdated advice for boosting your career. It may seem like a smart move, but where does it leave you if it doesn't work out? be prepared to walk away. Your boss might see you as manipulative or although he or she will appreciate your promotion, he or she will think you're going to use this same argument again in the future. It would certainly not help to establish a relationship of trust and commitment on your part with the organization.

• Don't keep your effort a secret

Let your boss know that you are making an effort to open up communication. Let him or her see that you are interested in the role. If you keep quiet that you want a promotion you won't be considered, you know that. Nor is it going to help you to keep quiet about everything you are doing to get it. In fact, if he sees your effort, it opens the door to talk about whether the team will benefit from this promotion.

• Don't sell yourself as a professional with a sad personal story

Don't use your personal life as an argument to get a promotion. Saying that you need the money for whatever reason is not a good strategy. Even if your company cares about your well-being, it doesn't seem like a good reason for them to invest more money in you. I don't think you consider this a determining factor in increasing your bottom line. Surely, you're much better off focusing on the great work you've done.

• Don't want a position that doesn't suit you

It is possible that you are tired of the job you are currently doing and that any other position is better. The desire for change is understandable, but it is better to focus on the positions that really interest you. Applying for any position that comes up may seem less serious and unfocused to the management team, just when the position that really interests you appears.

• Don't sell the skin till you have caught the bear

If you tell the whole office that you are the perfect candidate, that you are going to get that vacant position, you will isolate yourself from your colleagues and from the management. You will appear conceited and rude. You will look like you can't handle sensitive information and may not be prepared for greater responsibilities.

• Not taking care of what you post on social media

The hiring team, even if it's an internal promotion, is sure to look at your resume, you'll be a topic of discussion and they'll even see what you post on social media on occasion. That is why it is important to take care of what you publish and that it does not contradict the way you would like to be perceived for your new position.

The signs that may indicate your next promotion

You've been working hard, putting in effort and getting attention. You're a team player, all your ratings and performance are excellent, and now is the right time for your promotion. But how do you know if you're getting it? Well, here are some signs:

• An increase in your workload

Suddenly you have more responsibilities, more work, this is a sign that your boss trusts you. You just have to do what you know how to do and cope with the extra stress.

• You are asked to train someone else

Without a doubt, if you are asked to train a new employee or a colleague in your team, it is that they surely value your skills. In addition, it may be the first step in relinquishing your responsibilities and freeing you up for something else.

• Your boss asks you about your career ambitions

Has your boss started asking you about how you see yourself in the organization in a while? Does he/she want to know your goals? it may be a gentle way to test your interest in new opportunities.

• Time is invested in you

You begin to be invited to meetings that you did not attend before. Some supervisors or department heads take time with you to get to know you better or just have a cup of coffee. They suggest training opportunities or conferences as interesting for you. All this in the end is time and money, it is not done lightly, they are thinking about your career development. This is an indicator that you are considered important in the future of the organization.

• You start participating assiduously in interviews

If your manager or the HR department asks for your opinion on new hires, this is a clear sign that they trust your opinion and understanding of the position you have been filling. Don't be afraid to hire your replacement. Someone will have to do your job so you can fill your promotion.

CONCLUSION
If you plan to ask for a job promotion, write down and memorize a few key points that clearly explain why you deserve it. Examples might include projects or tasks that you have been completing on time with incredible results. Having a vision of how your individual work fits into the organization as a whole and making a case for why you would be the best candidate can be the finishing touch.

If you've put in the time and effort necessary, approach your manager with the assurance that you deserve the promotion. Your years of expertise, work ethic, and understanding of the firm are significant assets, and when you succeed, the business succeeds as well. It truly comes down to how you do your duties at work: to the best of your ability and with a drive to grow better.