Blog Professional Development
By Allaya Cooks-Campbell
June 17, 2021 - 14 min read
Jump to section 10 ways to show you are “promotion-ready” 8 mistakes to avoid if you are trying to get promoted 5 signs you might be getting promoted Many of us may have been raised to let our hard work “speak for itself.” Unfortunately, when you’re angling for a promotion, that may not be enough. While corporate ladder “climbers” don’t have a good reputation, the truth is that there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be recognized for your performance. If you have your eyes set on a better title or bigger salary in the future, being a valuable member of the organization is a critical first step. But if you really want to stand out as a future leader, here are several steps you can take to learn how to get promoted at work. 1. Make your boss’ job easier As someone who’s been in your role for a little while, you likely know what your supervisor worries about the most. Taking those concerns off their plate can help them see you as dependable and capable. It reinforces that you’re a team player and invested in the bigger picture. Try stepping up to cover their responsibilities while they’re out-of-office so they can enjoy their time away. 2. Work on your communication skills Getting promoted usually means stepping into a leadership role. The more people you’re responsible for, the more important your communication skills will be. Spend some time now learning how to communicate with different types of people. Learning how to communicate goes hand-in-hand when learning how to get promoted. Investing in these relationships now will smooth the transition if and when you become their boss. 3. Ask how you can improve You must already be doing an incredible job in your current position to show your superiors that you are capable of handling a promotion. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Ask how you can get better. Take time to develop new skills and practice getting feedback like a boss. If you can receive constructive criticism without getting defensive, you’ll show that you’re ready for the next level. 4. Be nice Develop strong relationships within your organization. For most bosses, the decision to promote someone also requires the input of others. Maintaining good relationships will encourage other colleagues to go to bat for you when it matters the most. Always treat everyone with kindness and respect. 5. Recognize others Your promotion isn’t just about you. Companies promote those who can motivate and manage successful teams. If you’re trying to get promoted, you may be tempted to sing your own praises. However, by recognizing others, you’ll actually make yourself look good too. And who knows — the coworker you shout out might return the favor. 6. Communicate with your boss Don’t be afraid to tell your manager that you want a promotion. They can help you develop core competencies and keep you in mind when the next promotion arises. You don’t have to start the conversation by demanding a promotion. Instead, ask them what it will take to get one. This will put your boss in the position of a guide or a mentor, and get them equally invested in your career success. 7. Bring in revenue Every organization cares about its bottom line. If you can bring in revenue (or save money), you’ll be seen as a valuable part of the company. This will put you in a strong position to advocate based on your results — and justify the accompanying pay raise. 8. Pay attention to others that have been promoted Has someone else been promoted recently? Ask them how they did it. Did they take on additional responsibilities over time, go back to school, or step into a newly-created position? See what you can learn from their experience. Ask if they have any feedback or advice for you. 9. Become more resilient When your promotion does come, it’s time to celebrate — but it may bring its own stress, too. Leaders have more “stage time,” but they also deal with more people and higher stakes. Develop resilience now by working on your ability to manage stress and improving your work-life balance. These "soft" leadership skills will pay off as you advance to higher levels. 10. Create value wherever you can Many people think that dominating every conversation is a leadership trait. Be intentional when you speak so that you become known for only contributing valuable input. Look for ways to streamline processes so you can be more efficient. Invest that freed-up time into developing your skillset or projects that deserve your extra attention. Sign up to receive our latest content, tools, and resources. Thank you for your interest in BetterUp. 1. Burning yourself out When working towards a promotion, it’s natural to want to look your best. But if you’re working long hours or over-committing to projects, this strategy can backfire. You may end up burning out or dropping the ball on an important task. Manage your energy carefully. No promotion is worth putting your health or career growth at risk. 2. Thinking “me vs them” There’s room for everyone to be successful — and just because you want that new role that opened up doesn’t mean anyone else does. Don’t let your ambition or your insecurity cause you to act in ways that you’ll regret later. There’s no need to put your team members down to make yourself look better by comparison. Focus on how you can make everyone better in your new position. 3. Giving an ultimatum Outdated career advice would tell you to leverage a new job offer for a better role or higher pay at your current job. While this could be a savvy move, be prepared to walk away if it doesn’t go your way. Without appropriate context, your manager could see this as an attempt to manipulate your way into a promotion. They likely won’t appreciate it. 4. Keeping your struggles a secret We already know that staying quiet about wanting a promotion won’t get you noticed. But neither will stay quiet about what you’re struggling with. Letting your manager know how you’re stretching yourself opens communication and shows them your investment in the role. It also opens doors to talk about whether your team would benefit from creating a new role (hint, hint). 5. Selling your promotion with a sob story You may have childcare to pay for or a sick family member, but that isn’t a good reason for your company to spend more money on you. Avoid using your personal life to make the case for why you need a promotion. Your company may care about your well-being, but they won’t see that as a compelling factor in their bottom line. Focus on the great work you've done instead. 6. Applying for roles that don’t suit you If you’re really tired of your current role, you may think any ol’ job will do. While wanting a change is understandable, you should only apply for roles that you’re genuinely interested in. Throwing your hat in the ring for a variety of roles may make you look unfocused. The leadership team may look at you as a less serious candidate when a job description you really want comes around. 7. Blabbing about your promotion Sure that you’re a shoe-in for that open role? Don’t print new business cards just yet. Telling the whole office about your new job is a great way to isolate yourself from staff and management alike. You’ll look like a bad sport and as if you can’t handle sensitive information — and of course, that’s if the job is even yours. 8. Posting the wrong thing on social media Even if you’re applying for an internal opening, you’ll be the topic of discussion. The hiring team may want to look at your resume, your portfolio, or see what comes up on LinkedIn and Google. Refrain from posting or sharing anything that is out of alignment with the way you’d like to be perceived in your new role. So you’ve been working hard and getting all the right kinds of attention. You’re a team player, your performance reviews are outstanding, and the timing feels right. How do you know if a promotion is headed your way? Here are 5 signs that you may be getting a promotion: 1. You’re getting more work Have expectations increased or your role changed recently? While new responsibilities can add more stress, it’s a sign that your manager trusts you. 2. You’re being asked to train someone Imitation — or duplication — is the sincerest form of flattery. If you’re being asked to train or mentor new employees, it’s an endorsem*nt of your skills. It may also be a first step towards handing over your responsibilities to free you up for something else. 3. Your boss asks about your goals Has your manager started asking you about your long-term career goals? This may be a gentle way of gauging your interest in new opportunities. 4. You’re being invested in Maybe you’re being invited to new meetings, or a higher-up takes you out for coffee. If training opportunities or conferences arise, your manager suggests that you should go. Investments of time, resources, and money in your career development aren't made lightly. They are indicators that you’re seen as part of the organization’s future. 5. You’re asked to sit in on interviews If your manager or HR department asks you to weigh in on new hires, this indicates that they trust your opinion and your understanding of the role. Don’t be afraid that you’re hiring your “replacement.” After all, someone will need to fill your position once you move up! When discussing or asking for a job promotion, write down and memorize a handful of key points that explain why you deserve it. These might include specific projects or tasks that you went above and beyond to complete on time with stellar results. Understand how your individual work fits into the organization as a whole, and make a case for why you would be the best candidate. If you’ve done the work and put in the hours, approach your boss with confidence that you are the right person to be promoted. Your years of experience, work ethic, and knowledge of your organization are valuable assets, and when you have success, so does the company. How to get promoted at work is really just a matter of how you do your job — to the best of your ability and with the desire to get better.10 ways to show you are “promotion-ready”
8 mistakes to avoid if you are trying to get promoted
5 signs you might be getting promoted
Understand Yourself Better: Big 5 Personality Test
Understand Yourself Better: Big 5 Personality Test
Professional Development
Published June 17, 2021
Allaya Cooks-Campbell
With over 15 years of content experience, Allaya Cooks Campbell has written for outlets such as ScaryMommy, HRzone, and HuffPost. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified yoga instructor as well as a certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. Allaya is passionate about whole-person wellness, yoga, and mental health.
Read Next
Professional Development 15 min read | June 25, 2024 Self-promotion: how to showcase your skills and experience Self-promotion is the seldom-mentioned secret to professional success. Learn how to increase your self-promotion skills and discuss your accomplishments. Read More Professional Development 13 min read | October 21, 2022 Getting passed over for a promotion is tough. Here's how to handle it It’s hard to know what to do if you don’t get a promotion. Here’s how you can overcome a setback and find future success. Read More Professional Development 13 min read | November 18, 2022 What to do if you’re getting promoted too quickly Are you worried about getting promoted too quickly? Read these signs that your promotion is happening sooner than it should, and what to do about it. Read More Professional Development 14 min read | October 18, 2022 Not seeing a promotion? Is it a problem? Here’s what to do Don’t get stuck in a rut. If you’ve received no promotion after five years, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Here’s what to do. Read More Professional Development 13 min read | October 13, 2022 Are you being passed over for a promotion? Here’s what to do Were you passed over for a promotion? We know how that stings. Here’s how to get back on the career development track and land your dream job. Read More Professional Development 16 min read | July 14, 2022 The only guide you’ll ever need for career planning Whether you’re trying to get a promotion or help your direct reports grow, we all need career planning. Learn why it’s important and the 7 steps to success. Read More Professional Development 27 min read | July 14, 2022 What is career growth? How to move forward in your career Prioritizing career growth benefits employees and companies. From improving retention to getting promoted, learn what career growth is and why it matters. Read More Job Search 17 min read | April 18, 2022 Career advice: 24 tips for each stage of your career From changing careers to working toward a promotion, careers are hard to navigate. Here’s some of the best career advice for each stage of your career. Read More
Professional Development Are you being passed over for a promotion? Here’s what to do Professional Development Getting passed over for a promotion is tough. Here's how to handle it Job Search Should I quit my job? 5 reasons it may be time to resign Employee Experience When stack ranking should (and shouldn't) be used Hiring How to create a new role at work (and avoid common mistakes) Professional Development What is career growth? How to move forward in your career Professional Development What to do if you’re getting promoted too quickly Professional Development Not seeing a promotion? Is it a problem? Here’s what to do