Written by: Susanna Kenyon-Muir, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
If you’re a high achiever working in the corporate world, you’re more than likely continually looking to progress, whether that’s in changing roles or getting a promotion. You want to feel valued and know that you’re moving up the ranks. But this is sometimes easier said than done right? Feeling like you’re putting in all the effort, working long hours, hitting your targets but when it comes to the promotion cycle you don’t get the promotion. ‘Why’ you ask?
This is something I have encountered in my professional career and with clients that I work with. The void and black hole of wondering what happened to that promised promotion.
In today's competitive job market, climbing the corporate ladder often requires more than just hard work and dedication. If you're eyeing that coveted promotion at your workplace, it's essential to strategize and demonstrate your value effectively.
Below I outline a few simple strategies you can use to increase the likelihood of getting a promotion
1. Set Clear Goals and Objectives: Before embarking on your journey towards a promotion, take the time to define your career goals and objectives. Where do you see yourself in the next few years? What specific position or role are you aiming for? Having a clear vision will not only guide your actions but also showcase your ambition and commitment to your superiors. Understand what you truly want, and step into the energy of what you deserve. Do this by identifying and understanding your self-worth.
2. Exceed Expectations: Go above and beyond in your current role by consistently delivering exceptional results. Take on additional responsibilities, volunteer for challenging projects, and showcase your problem-solving skills. By exceeding expectations in your current position, you demonstrate your readiness for more significant challenges and responsibilities. Take note of what you’re doing and communicate this with your manager and key stakeholders.
3. Continuous Learning and Development: Make sure your skill set is up to par, never overlook continuing to upskill yourself or committing to some extra training. This will help you reach that next level. Invest in your professional development by acquiring new skills and knowledge relevant to your desired promotion. Attend workshops, seminars, or enrol in online courses to stay updated with industry trends and advancements. Demonstrating a commitment to learning shows your dedication to self-improvement and career advancement.
4. Build Strong Relationships: Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues, supervisors, hiring managers, and other key stakeholders within your organisation. Networking is crucial for career advancement, as it can provide valuable insights, opportunities, and support. Collaborate effectively with others, offer assistance when needed, and be a team player to build a strong professional network.
5. Seek Feedback, Act on it and Build up Your Skills Matrix: Actively seek feedback from your supervisors and peers to identify areas for improvement. Constructive feedback can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus on areas that need development. Moreover, demonstrating your willingness to learn and grow shows your commitment to personal and professional growth, which is highly valued by employers.
6. Demonstrate Leadership Skills: Even if you're not in a formal leadership position, you can still demonstrate leadership qualities in your current role. Take initiative, demonstrate integrity, communicate effectively, and inspire others through your actions. Leadership potential is a desirable trait in employees being considered for promotion, so showcasing your leadership skills can significantly enhance your candidacy.
7. Promote Your Achievements: Don't be shy about highlighting your accomplishments and contributions within the organisation. Keep track of your achievements, whether it's exceeding targets, implementing cost-saving measures, or leading successful projects. When the time comes to discuss your promotion prospects, be prepared to articulate your achievements confidently and how they align with the organisation's goals.
8. Work on Your Employment Proposal: Get proactive and write a personalised document which introduces yourself and explains why you are the best fit for a particular job. This will help you to stand out from other candidates by highlighting your key achievements, skills, experience and strengths in relation to that particular role. This is something I have used throughout my career and helped me secure every job I really wanted and was aligned with.
Securing a promotion at work requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and strategic planning. By setting clear goals, exceeding expectations, continuously learning, building strong relationships, seeking feedback, demonstrating leadership skills, and promoting your achievements, you can increase your chances of climbing the corporate ladder. Remember, perseverance and determination are key traits of successful professionals aiming for career advancement.
If you need help with tasks such as building your skills matrix and your employment proposal drop me an email at hello@coachingbysusanna.com I’d love to connect and look at exactly what you need to do to build these out effectively and help you to get that promotion.
Susanna Kenyon-Muir, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Susanna is a transformational life and career coach dedicated to helping corporate professionals design and live lives they genuinely love, in alignment with their authentic selves. With a worldly perspective gained from her experiences working in the corporate sector across the globe, both in large and startup technology organisations, she possesses a deep understanding of individuals and the dynamics of the corporate world. As the visionary behind 'Coaching by Susanna,' she not only provides expert coaching but also amplifies inspiring success stories through her podcast; 'On Being You – with Susanna.' She has recently launched wellness retreats designed to empower individuals in crafting their ideal lives.
