It’s Not Too Late To Secure Your 2015 Promotion

It’s September already, and the promotion you’d been hoping for this year just hasn’t happened. It might be tempting to stop hoping for it, and factor it into next year’s goals instead.

That would be a mistake.

There are still four months left of 2015, meaning there’s still plenty of time to make this the year you get that big promotion. At the very least, the groundwork you do now will put you in prime position for promotion early in the New Year. Either way, it’s time to be building momentum, not giving up.

Firstly, you need to give some serious yet dispassionate thought to why you haven’t received the promotion already. There are a few common reasons why people often miss out on promotions- as well as some top tips for re-establishing yourself as a prime contender for promotion.

1.  You think that ‘time served’ or simple hard work will get you a promotion. This is not the case in the modern workplace, where Millennials expect rapid promotion and overtake the longer-serving employees on the promotion track.

Tip: Stop feeling entitled to a promotion because of hard work or loyalty to the company. Look around at others who got promoted, noting their energy, tactics or fresh ideas.

2.  You’re working hard, not smart. You’re doing the legwork, but you’re not bringing your achievements to the attention of the managers.

Tip: When you have a success, make sure it is noted. Send regular updates to your manager showing the work you’re getting through. Present your successes in a way that make you a powerful candidate for promotion.

3.  You haven’t told your managers that you’re looking for career progression.

Tip: They might not even know that you are keen for a promotion! Sit down with your manager and indicate that you want to progress with the company in the future and discuss how you might do that. 

4.  You haven’t requested honest feedback. There might be something you’re doing that is blocking your chances of promotion.

Tip: Be brave enough to find out where you need to improve. Get out of your own way!

5.  You were somehow led to believe that you were next in line for promotion, but then it didn’t happen. You didn’t follow up.

Tip: Always follow up! Even if this conversation was many months, even years ago, follow up with that person. They might have taken your lack of follow-up as lack of interest. Yes, there’s a possibility they changed their mind about your suitability so dropped the idea, but isn’t it better to know that- so that you can change their mind right back again?

6.  You’re not using your initiative and anticipating problems, or offering fresh ideas.

Tip: Using your initiative to solve problems and come up with fresh ideas is the sign of someone primed and ready for promotion. Imagine you’re starting the role for the first time- remember when you were new and spotted inefficiencies or problems…but then just got used to them? Inject new energy into your role to anticipate and troubleshoot issues.

7.  You’re caught up in your own role or department and are not looking at the wider company’s goals.

Tip: Have a look at the company’s objectives from a wider perspective. Talk to your manager about how you can work together towards some of the strategic goals.

8.  You’re not keeping abreast of the wider industry.

Tip: Companies promote those who can keep them competitive in the field, can spot opportunities, and know where their competitors are heading. Subscribe to industry publications, attend seminars and seize learning opportunities. 

9.  You’re not making yourself indispensable to your manager.

Tip: Grease the wheels a bit. We are naturally drawn to helping those who have shown themselves to be helpful to us. Spot where you can be of extra assistance to your manager. 

10.  You’re not making yourself known.

Tip: Get busy on LinkedIn, comment on company social media, and write a piece for the company newsletter.

11.  You’re not dressing to impress.

Tip: It may seem superficial, but the way we dress has an impact on how people view us. If you dress for the position you WANT, rather than the position you occupy, you are one step closer towards making people see you in that kind of role.

For some of you, only a few of these will apply. Your delay in promotion may even just be a matter of timing, or internal company politics. Yet by following these tips, you will become a better, more productive employee, one that can’t help but be noticed during the next round of promotions.

Until next time,

Cheryl