21 Ways to Put Yourself in Line for a Promotion

By Ken Chapman, Ph.D.
Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.
We would all like to get ahead on the job, but some of us are better than others at actually doing it. What sets the “haves” apart from the “have-nots”? A number of things. The following are twenty-one ways to get ahead:
1. Make the most of your employee review. If you don’t already know, find out what your performance ranking is based on and how raises are determined. Keep track of your progress: copies of memos suggesting new ideas that are implemented, praise and positive comments that you’ve received, etc. Keep a notebook with detailed records of your achievements that you can refer to at review time.
When you go to your review, be prepared. Review your notes and be ready to outline your accomplishments. Put those accomplishments into real terms whenever possible—demonstrate how you’ve helped the company save or make money and how much money, if that’s possible to calculate.
Play an active role in your review. If you receive a ranking that’s lower than one you’d like to have, ask how you can bring that ranking up. And take notes during the meeting. This will show your boss how serious you are about being a valued team member and will also give you something to refer to when it’s time for your next review.
2. Ask what you can do to make yourself more valuable to the company. The best way to put yourself in line for a promotion is to clearly demonstrate that you want one. Make it clear that you want to be valued and are willing to provide feedback.
If you don’t get enough constructive feedback on a regular basis, take a proactive role and ask for it. Then take steps to overcome those perceived negatives, and position yourself as someone who wants to do the best job possible.
3. Do what you say you’re going to do. Talking about the great work that you’re going to do isn’t going to get you anywhere, but doing it will. Never make promises or commitments that you can’t keep. Before you speak, be sure you have the skills and resources to follow through on your promises.
4. Make constructive suggestions to increase company productivity and profits. Making suggestions on a regular basis does two things for you:
It makes it clear that you care about your job and the company.
It gets you noticed.These suggestions can deal with ways to save money, make money, increase productivity, develop new products, or use new ways to promote existing products.
5. Maintain a high profile at work. Whether your company is small or large, you can “make a name for yourself” simply by making sure that you’re noticed. Keep a high profile by volunteering to serve on committees, offering your support and assistance to others, and being enthusiastic about everything you do—even the mundane tasks.
6. Improve your skills. Leaders who sit back and rest on their laurels soon find that the company has passed them by. Never accept the status quo by becoming complacent with your knowledge and current level of achievement. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn new skills and stay abreast of trends and developments in your profession.
7. Be willing to pay the price for success. Yes, success does come with a price. If you pay close attention to those on the higher rungs of the corporate ladder at your company, you’ll find that they put in longer hours, spend more time away from their families, and have more responsibilities to deal with. The flip side of the coin is that if you’re really doing something you love, the sacrifices won’t seem so much like sacrifices.
8. Meet with your boss regularly. If you don’t already meet with your boss on a regular basis, ask to do so. Staying in touch will not only give you the opportunity to share your progress and accomplishments, but it will also help you stay attuned to what’s going on in the company. A good relationship with your boss is essential. Be supportive and helpful, and make yourself as indispensable as possible—always realizing that no one is really indispensable.
9. Set goals and monitor them regularly. Successful people invariably point to their habit of setting and monitoring goals as a key to helping them make it to the top. Without goals, you have no direction. First determine what your long-term objectives are—then develop goals to help you meet those objectives. Your goals should be measurable and written. Once you’ve done this, monitor your progress toward meeting those goals on a regular basis and adjust existing goals as necessary.
10. Dress the part. Yes, it really is important to project outwardly the image you want others to have of you. The old advice of dressing for the position you wish to have, not the one your currently hold, is true. Take your cue from the people above you. But at the same time make sure you don’t become a “corporate clone.” Today individuality counts just as much as dressing for success does. It’s no longer true that everyone must dress in dark blue suits with power ties or scarves. Project your own personal style, but within the bounds of corporate decorum.
11. Network. While it’s not necessarily true that “it’s not what you know, but who you know” that counts in business, it’s very often a combination of the two. Establishing a broad network of contacts both in your organization and in the professional community at large can benefit you in many ways—personally and professionally. Don’t be afraid to use those contacts. They can come in handy when you’re researching a new project, when you need advice on how to deal with a particular issue, or when you need people to support your plans and ideas. But remember, it works both ways. To be an effective networker, you need to have something to offer others as well.
12. Find a mentor. A mentor is someone who can help you over the hurdles that you’ll encounter as you’re working to get ahead. Find someone who can provide you with advice and counsel—someone you can use as a sounding board for your ideas. Your mentor may be your boss, a fellow supervisor, a manager in another company, or virtually anyone who has broader experience than you have.
13. Emulate the successful people in your firm. The best way to determine what it takes to get ahead at your company is to carefully study those who have already made it. How did they get where they are? Were they hired from the inside or outside the company? What qualifications did they bring to the position? What is their personal style of management? How do they present ideas? What is their relationship with their superiors, their colleagues, and their employees? By analyzing the work styles of those above you, you can gather valuable insights about your corporate culture.
14. Socialize. Get to know the people you work with. Go to company-sponsored activities, join the firm’s sports teams, and attend all corporate functions. But remember; always be on your best behavior—even if others aren’t and you think it doesn’t really matter because you’re not actually in the office. It does matter.
15. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Every successful entrepreneur takes risks. In your position as an entrepreneur working your way up the corporate ladder, you’ll need to take risks as well. The key lies in taking calculated risks. Being successful in business involves making tough and sometimes unpopular decisions. But don’t make rash decisions. You’ll have many occasions to go out on a limb, but just make sure it’s a sturdy limb.
16. Be a good communicator. To succeed in business you must be able to get along well with other people employees—managers, colleagues, vendors, and customers, to name a few. This requires strong communications skills such as listening, presenting ideas, negotiating, and resolving conflicts.
17. Go the extra mile. If you always show up exactly at 8:00 a.m. and leave promptly at 5:00 p.m., you’re not doing anything to make yourself stand out. Going the extra mile means putting forth the extra effort it takes to get noticed, whether that means working longer hours, volunteering for more projects, or generating more ideas than others. Don’t talk about the extra time you’re putting in, however. This can make you look as if you’re either bragging or complaining.
18. Be confident. Are you amazed and a little envious of people who are always self-assured and confident? Don’t be fooled. Even the most suave of your colleagues have self-doubts at times. The important thing they’ve learned, however, is not to let those doubts show. Have a “Yes, I can!” attitude, not a “Well, I’ll try” approach to the way you deal with situations and people on the job. If you don’t believe in yourself, it is unreasonable to expect anyone else to believe in you.
19. Treat people with respect and courtesy. There are no “little people” in corporations—only “little thinkers.” Don’t be one of them. The administrative assistant you treat with disdain could one day be a manager whom you must deal with. Believe it—it’s been known to happen.
20. Share credit with others—especially your direct reports. Don’t feel that you must always be in the spotlight, assuming credit for everything under your supervision. Whenever possible, help others to shine. They’ll appreciate and respect you for it, and your efforts to make them look good will be remembered.
21. Train your replacement. Many leaders are hesitant to develop people who might replace them. But that’s exactly what you want to happen! You won’t be able to move up unless there is someone who can take your place—even on a limited basis until a permanent replacement can be hired. Don’t let professional jealousies and insecurities keep you from getting ahead.