BECOMING THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR PROMOTION

What is Promotion?

A promotion refers to the advancement of an employee's rank or position in a hierarchical structure.

It usually includes:

• New job title
• Greater number of responsibilities and
• Pay increase.

It may also include an expansion of benefits and managerial authority over other employees.

Job promotions are usually based on performance and tenure.

Effect of Promotions

A promotion is viewed as desirable by employees because of the impact it has on:

• Remuneration
• Authority
• Responsibility, and
• The ability to influence broader organizational decision making.

A promotion raises the status of the employee who receives it which is a visible sign of esteem from the employer.

Are there techniques and strategies to being promoted?

• Concentrate on just doing the best you possibly can in your current position: Excellent performance reviews are critical to get you a promotion.  Also important are punctuality and willingness to go the extra mile when the job demands needs it.
• Make sure people know you are doing a great job: You don't want to toot your own horn too much, but you can't always expect your merits to speak for them. Keep in good contact with your supervisor, and make sure he or she knows what you've been up to.
• Be known: In an ideal world, promotions would be based solely on merit. We don't live in an ideal world, though, so: use and develop your people skills, speak up at meetings, initiate conversations in the break room and at lunch time and participate in group conversations between coworkers in order to get noticed. Always be mindful of the relevance and appropriateness of your input.
• Make sure the right people know you want a promotion: Don't be afraid to tell your supervisor about your career goals--most good supervisors will ask you about them and try to be helpful.
• Seek out new skills: If you become the best customer service person of all time, you are well on your way... to remaining a highly regarded customer service representative for the rest of your career. It is not enough to be great at your job; you also have to develop marketable skills that prepare you for more responsibility. Develop yourself  (additional qualifications), learn other skills by attending training, seminars, conferences etc and learn a second/third language.
• Groom a successor: Some people are afraid that their direct reports may take their job if they do this, but as long as you are a great employee and continue to develop your skills, the only way you will lose your current assignment is by getting promoted. Training another employee (or several others) shows that you have management skills and that you care about helping others grow.
• Assume a leadership stance: This means taking full responsibility for your autonomy on the job in order to set an example for your co-workers. Your supervisors will notice that your actions encourage those around you to work harder and more efficiently and, as a result, you could be presented with opportunities for climbing up the ladder.
• Contribute useful ideas: Before scheduled meetings, research the issues to be addressed and determine how you can provide input. To move up the ladder, you must be able to prove your value as an employee, by making suggestions that improve the company's fortune.
• Work hard: There is no substitute for effort. It will take some personal sacrifice to move up the corporate ladder, such as coming in early, working overtime, taking on extra responsibilities and being accountable for difficult tasks.
• Diversify your position: Identify areas in your workplace where your strengths could be useful and think of ways in which you could expand your job description to encompass those areas. Present your ideas to your supervisor and volunteer to adapt your current functions to the broader scope.
• Network among industry professionals: Do this by attending industry seminars, trade shows and networking clubs. As your reputation grows, so will your chances at climbing the ladder. Moreover, forging associations with a positive outlook with those in your industry, will assist you to learn the industry’s best practices.
• Focus On The Bottom Line: Profit orientation is the key to your future. Intense bottom-line focus is the key to growth, success, and rapid promotion. The very best people in every organization are thinking constantly about what they can do to increase the profitability of their companies. The greater impact your work has on the company’s bottom line, the more you will be recognized and rewarded.

“Men who accomplish great things in the industrial world are those who have faith in the money producing power of their ideas.” (Charles Fillmore)

Conclusion

Henry L. Doherty

Plenty of men can do good work for a spurt and with immediate promotion in mind, but for promotion you want a man in whom good work has become a habit.