6 answers
Akhila
Student
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
2
Questions
Asked
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how do you move up within a company
how do u move up or get promoted in a company. do u have to tell ur boss u want a promotion or do they just happen
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1351
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Akhila the most important part of asking for a promotion is preparing ahead of time. When you make the ask, you’ll need to prove (with specifics) that you’re ready for the next step.
First, you’ll want to emphasize to your manager what you’ve brought to the table so far—it’s a good measure of both your contributions and your future potential. Make a list of all of your accomplishments to use as your talking points. Have you taken on a side project that grew into a new revenue stream? Doubled your sales goals in less than six months? Doing a great job in your position isn’t enough to make your case—you’ll need to show that you’ve gone above and beyond.
Next, identify the specific position you want, and why you’re ready to take it on. If you’re asking to become assistant manager, know what that entails and then demonstrate that you’ll be able to fulfill the position. Want to be a team leader? Give examples of how you’ve successfully managed smaller projects or groups of people, like coordinating your department’s internship program. Find concrete examples that prove that you’re the right person for the job
TIMING
There’s no “perfect” time to ask for a promotion, but some times are definitely better than others. The most straightforward time to ask is your annual (or semi-annual) review—it’s a built-in opportunity for both you and your manager to discuss how you’ve been doing and where your career is headed. (Just be sure that you’re not asking for a promotion solely because you’re up for review—you still need to demonstrate that you deserve the bump.)
Also consider your position in the company and what’s going on within your department or team. Are people around you leaving or moving up the ranks? Is your department merging with another, or repositioning itself within the company? When there’s a lot of overall change going on, it presents a great opportunity to step
up and ask your boss where she sees you fitting in as the organization moves forward.
Finally, don’t be scared off by the dismal economy. Even in these tough times, smart employers understand that their employees are one of their most valuable assets, and they’ll want to retain (and reward) the best of them. You might get a smaller salary bump than people did in years past, but a promotion isn’t just about the money: It’s also about increased responsibilities, and hopefully you’ll be fiscally rewarded when the economy starts to turn around, even if you aren’t now.
Hope this was helpful Akhila
First, you’ll want to emphasize to your manager what you’ve brought to the table so far—it’s a good measure of both your contributions and your future potential. Make a list of all of your accomplishments to use as your talking points. Have you taken on a side project that grew into a new revenue stream? Doubled your sales goals in less than six months? Doing a great job in your position isn’t enough to make your case—you’ll need to show that you’ve gone above and beyond.
Next, identify the specific position you want, and why you’re ready to take it on. If you’re asking to become assistant manager, know what that entails and then demonstrate that you’ll be able to fulfill the position. Want to be a team leader? Give examples of how you’ve successfully managed smaller projects or groups of people, like coordinating your department’s internship program. Find concrete examples that prove that you’re the right person for the job
TIMING
There’s no “perfect” time to ask for a promotion, but some times are definitely better than others. The most straightforward time to ask is your annual (or semi-annual) review—it’s a built-in opportunity for both you and your manager to discuss how you’ve been doing and where your career is headed. (Just be sure that you’re not asking for a promotion solely because you’re up for review—you still need to demonstrate that you deserve the bump.)
Also consider your position in the company and what’s going on within your department or team. Are people around you leaving or moving up the ranks? Is your department merging with another, or repositioning itself within the company? When there’s a lot of overall change going on, it presents a great opportunity to step
up and ask your boss where she sees you fitting in as the organization moves forward.
Finally, don’t be scared off by the dismal economy. Even in these tough times, smart employers understand that their employees are one of their most valuable assets, and they’ll want to retain (and reward) the best of them. You might get a smaller salary bump than people did in years past, but a promotion isn’t just about the money: It’s also about increased responsibilities, and hopefully you’ll be fiscally rewarded when the economy starts to turn around, even if you aren’t now.
Hope this was helpful Akhila
Thank You Janae. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Doc Frick
Misha D'Andrea
Learning + Development
18
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Misha’s Answer
Clear goals, plan for skills, open communication with manager, and track it all. Track resources that helped you, give kudos and recognition to peers who have helped you because that can also help advance their careers as well.
Take initiative to have the conversation, take initiative in the areas you are responsible for and even beyond. Exceed expectations in your current role (do your job well), before taking on reach/stretch projects.
Identify what skills and competencies are needed for the next step and actively work towards them. Document your progress on this front. Do the research in advance and then have that conversation with your manager and even folks in the role you aspire to about what you need to do to get to that next step. Be proactive, rarely will a promotion be given if there is not an open line of communication about you wanting to take the next step.
-Misha, Angela, Stephanie, and Paige (Cloudera)
Quantify + document achievements
Take initiative to have the conversation, take initiative in the areas you are responsible for and even beyond. Exceed expectations in your current role (do your job well), before taking on reach/stretch projects.
Identify what skills and competencies are needed for the next step and actively work towards them. Document your progress on this front. Do the research in advance and then have that conversation with your manager and even folks in the role you aspire to about what you need to do to get to that next step. Be proactive, rarely will a promotion be given if there is not an open line of communication about you wanting to take the next step.
-Misha, Angela, Stephanie, and Paige (Cloudera)
Misha recommends the following next steps:
Alex Khaw
Engineer
2
Answers
George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Always stay ready to embrace new knowledge, treating it as a fresh learning opportunity. Dive deeper into the world of business processes and remain eager to seize any opportunities that come your way.
Carol Henry
Team Business Manager
5
Answers
Wayzata, Minnesota
Updated
Carol’s Answer
What a great question. One thing I was told in my career was to be curious, read everything and be a constant learner. As my career advanced and I moved into a management position I was always looking for those that wanted to grab on to more, not more work but more knowledge. When engaged in a role with a company, seek a mentor and take advantage of your companies HR department representatives. Learning from others within a firm you are interested in staying with is a gold mine! I wish you nothing but the best!
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
500
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Something I learned early in my career is that you never know who sees you. If you put in a quality effort and take pride in your job each and every day, people will notice you.
On the other hand, if you do, want to move up in your organization, letting your supervisor know is a great step. Even if they share that you might not be ready, you can ask them for a list of skills that you can improve to increase your chances with a promotion is available.
I did the above added job, and even after acquiring the skills, I was not promoted. That gave me a clear signal that it was time to move on. And my next job, I was promoted twice and 3.5 years.
Some timing, some preparation, a little luck and being in the right environment.
On the other hand, if you do, want to move up in your organization, letting your supervisor know is a great step. Even if they share that you might not be ready, you can ask them for a list of skills that you can improve to increase your chances with a promotion is available.
I did the above added job, and even after acquiring the skills, I was not promoted. That gave me a clear signal that it was time to move on. And my next job, I was promoted twice and 3.5 years.
Some timing, some preparation, a little luck and being in the right environment.
Daniel Jang
Investment Consultant
5
Answers
Palisades Park, New Jersey
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Build up connections;
put yourself out there;
network;
become a subject matter expert, someone that people can turn to for assistance
Create your own luck. No one is going to advocate better for you than yourself.
Go out of your comfort zone and take up new challenges, studies, and etc.
Make your presence known.
put yourself out there;
network;
become a subject matter expert, someone that people can turn to for assistance
Create your own luck. No one is going to advocate better for you than yourself.
Go out of your comfort zone and take up new challenges, studies, and etc.
Make your presence known.