Are You the Right Candidate For a Promotion?
We all know that promotions come and promotions go. However, I'm sure many people have often wondered about the inner workings of how the promotions process work. Some of us at one point in our career was either passed over for a promotion, watched other people rapidly move up the career ladder, or lacked the confidence to seek out a promotion. Whatever your reasons, Donald Asher's newest book titled Who Gets Promoted Who Doesn't And Why: 12 Things You'd Better Do If You Want to Get Ahead will change your way of thinking about how promotions actually work. In it, he backs up his facts with real life examples to illustrate and verify his points.
Over the course of 20 years, Asher has interviewed hundreds of people; human resources professionals, line managers and real people who have been highly successful in getting promoted many times throughout their career. The number one tip from managers and careerists: do your job and do it well (p. 2). In addition, there are other tactics that factor prominently in advancing your career. Here are a few key points from Asher's book that you can employ to elevate your career.
Respect Timing. Contrary to popular thinking, promotions are not based on rewarding the individual for past contributions (p. 3). It is based on the prediction of how well the person will do in the new position. What can you bring to the new position? What can you do for your new boss and the organization? What will your future contributions be?
Asher cautions not to be irreplaceable (p. 15). Why? Because the benefits of replacing you might outweigh the benefits of keeping you in the existing position. Hiring from within creates a domino effect. For each person promoted, that position will need to be filled by someone else within the organization. However, if you hire someone externally, there is only one change that will take place within the organization to fill the position.
In a corporate environment, companies try to maximize the results of staff changes. And if a promotion comes up and you are not available to take over the new job, the company will fill the position based on their time schedule. This is where timing also comes into play. Special projects and or assignments should be timed to conclude when new promotions are coming up.
Promote Yourself. There are many ways to get yourself noticed such as dressing for success, displaying leadership qualities and the skillset required for advancement, and getting to know and communicating with, the appropriate people. Don't be shy about introducing yourself to high level management. Networking with key people can potentially help you get the next job. Employers tap into their network of contacts so knowing the right people just might get you a promotion.
Working on special projects, learning how to perform better in your job, and following through with what is required and expected are other tactics to promote your career.
Continuous Learning. Develop a plan to improve your skills and education at every opportunity. But don't expect your company to pay for your education because they may not be inclined to pay for it. Discuss with your employer your goals and expectations upon completing your education such as a new assignment or higher pay.
Other avenues to increase your knowledge base are: newspapers; reading publications in your field, trade or discipline; subscribe to blogs, newsfeeds, journals or newsletters; sign up for an online course, join associations and attend training conferences; read your organization's in-house material; get certified; or attend a retreat on management or executive topics. Continuous learning allows you to develop the skills you will need for future promotions.
Have an Ascension Plan. Asher distinguishes those who hold a succession of various positions versus those who intentionally plan a career (p. 81). A careerist plans ahead and knows how to further their career by implementing various strategies and methods along the way. For example, changing jobs, moving to a different company, city or even industry.
The path a careerist seeks is not static but is constantly being revised and improved over time. It must be logical and follow a step-by-step path: (1) selecting specific job titles (2) coming up with a sensible plan to acquire the skills required for the position (3) realistically promoting yourself (4) planning for your replacement to take over after you leave (5) and having a contingency plan with options (p. 83).
So, are you ready to get promoted? To find out more about advancing your career, try these titles:
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