If you are considering asking about promotion opportunities at your job, you are probably wondering what steps you can take to ensure that your boss sees you as a valuable employee. To advance at work, you will need to come up with a realistic plan about how you can best demonstrate your ability to handle more responsibility and handle the challenges of your job. This will enhance your value to the company and better convince your manager that you are worthy of a promotion. Here are some dos and don'ts when asking for promotion opportunities at your job.
Do Seek More Tasks at Work
Before you start asking for a promotion at work, start accepting more tasks at work by asking for them. This not only demonstrates that you know how to handle your time effectively; it also shows that you are willing to go the extra mile for your company. Be careful to only ask for things that are pertinent to the job you have to avoid trying to outdo your immediate colleagues or worse yet, a manager. Once assigned, complete these new tasks consistently and to the best of your ability.
Don't Expect a Promotion at Your Review
Many employees make the mistake of thinking that they are entitled to some form of promotion at their annual employment review. This is not the case. Most employers will be reviewing the performance of their staff periodically over the course of the year and that means you have multiple opportunities to shine at work. Do your best to demonstrate your commitment to the overall mission of your company and you will improve your chances of getting a promotion when you ask for it.
Do Become Your Manager's Most Reliable Teammate
One of the best ways to capture the positive attention from management that you need to be considered for promotion is by becoming the most reliable member of the team. That means being willing and open to coming up with ideas to enhance your role on the team in addition to improving your skills on the job. You will set an example for others and become your manager's right hand, which will go far when it comes time to seek a promotion.
Don't Fawn after Your Manager
No one likes a "suck up" at work. Use caution when working alongside your manager to avoid becoming overly concerned with constantly appealing to your boss while ignoring the relationships you have with co-workers. Seek to find that balance between advancing your career and working as part of your close-knit team to find the best success while working on getting a future promotion.
Do Get More Training in Your Chosen Career Path
A great way to enhance your ability to get a promotion at work is by seeking out opportunities to get additional training in your chosen career path. If you have a management role in mind, consider taking some business management courses. Don't assume that you currently have all the skills that you need for an advancement. By letting your manager know you are serious enough about your career to get more education or training, you will impress them enough to take you seriously when you ask for that promotion.
