Why is it that some people seem to sail through life without major upheavals or too much to distract them? They move from school to college, and then on to work and coast up through the ranks? While you’ve been waiting for a promotion for years?
You’ve been through the recruitment process, landed your dream job and proved your worth. You have a foot in the door and now want to move up the career ladder. Follow these simple strategies to fast track your promotion.
1. Dress Like You Mean It
Right or wrong, physical appearance is important. It forms the first impression that coworkers, bosses, and total strangers have of you. If you’re looking for a promotion, you need to dress like you mean business. Some experts suggest dressing a couple of points above your pay grade. Others recommend dressing in a similar style to your manager. You shouldn’t copy their dress sense directly but should take note of their overall look in terms of suit type, skirt length, smart or relaxed, makeup, etc. If this doesn’t appeal to you and you like to be your own person, use the following tips as a rule of thumb:
- Adhere to any dress codes.
- Whatever your hairstyle, ensure it is well-maintained, neat and tidy. If you have long hair, fasten it into a practical style that won’t get too messy.
- Keep makeup fairly neutral. Wear enough to enhance and make the most of your features but don’t go overboard.
- Wear clothing that is suitable for the job you do. There should be a balance between practicality and looking smart.
- Display your individuality without being ‘too much’. For example, healthcare workers wearing scrubs all day can find attractive underscrubs at stores such as http://www.careismascrubs.com/prints-underscrubs/. So, you’re keeping to the dress code but showing a little bit of personality.
- Look after your clothes and create a well-groomed appearance. Keep them well-laundered, mend them if you find a hole, iron them, and clean and polish your shoes.
2. Demonstrate Interest And Enthusiasm
If you’re seeking a promotion, going through the motions each day and doing just enough isn’t going to fly. You need to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm in the role. Ask questions during meetings, do research, and make suggestions. Volunteer to get involved in projects or take the initiative and suggest a project yourself.
3. Be A Positive Influence
No-one likes a gossip or the person who is constantly moaning. No matter how tough things are, be the one who always finds the positive in people and situations. Smile, say good morning, find solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
4. Admit When You’re Wrong And Move On
Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is how you deal with them. Admit you made a mistake and take steps to fix it. In addition, demonstrate that you’re aware of how this occurred, that you have taken the time to reflect, and that you have put steps in place to prevent it from happening again.
Good managers recognize that without taking calculated risks, we can’t move forward. The mistake won’t be at the forefront of their mind, but how you handled it will.
5. Don’t Pass The Buck
Your manager is likely to be busy. Therefore, if you’re constantly pestering them to check work and decisions, you’re adding to their workload. It also demonstrates that you’re not confident in your abilities. Though protocols need to be followed, managers appreciate employees who take responsibility for their actions and are accountable.
7. Accept Constructive Criticism And Act On It
It can be hard to accept criticism. No-one likes to be told that they are doing something wrong or that there is a better way. It can feel quite hurtful. The trick is not to take it personally. It is not a criticism about you as a person. It’s a tactic to improve processes and functionality within the business. Without supervisions and assessments, no-one would move forward.
Therefore, accept criticism graciously and demonstrate that you have taken it to heart. Make the necessary changes and move on. Sites like http://www.forbes.com have tips on how to do this.
8. Share Your Knowledge And Assist Others
Businesses thrive when people work together for the same purpose. Be curious and discover new and efficient ways to do your job. But don’t just keep this to yourself. Share your knowledge with others. If other members of staff are struggling, offer to provide them with some extra training. If you have a quicker or more effective way of completing a task, share it. Be the go-to person for troubleshooting and resolving problems.
9. Know When To Say No
Being willing, enthusiastic and accountable doesn’t mean being a doormat. It’s fine to take one of the team every now and again, but successful people know when to say no. If you find that people are taking advantage and piling their work and problems on your shoulders, be firm but politely decline. Explain that you’re busy with your own work and are unfortunately unable to assist.
Maintaining healthy barriers is a positive trait. If you take on everyone else’s work and problems, your own work is likely to suffer.
10. Stay Late But Not Too Late
The person who arrives at work every morning with a couple of minutes to spare and then leaves at 5:30 on the dot will be noted for it. If you’re seeking a promotion, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re willing to go that extra mile. This may mean coming in early or putting in a few late nights. However, there’s a fine line between showing willing and over working. Ultimately, working overly long hours won’t benefit anyone. Your work and productivity are likely to suffer, and your quality of life will be restricted. It comes down to establishing barriers again. Be clear about what is and isn’t acceptable. It’s fine to take one for the team but be firm and know when to stop.
Promotions aren’t just about what you know and how well you do your job. There’s a lot more to it than that. It’s about demonstrating the right qualities, being responsible and accountable, and being a team player. And it’s also about judgment, knowing when to say no, and learning from mistakes.
