Getting a promotion involves more than just hard work.
Yes, you need to work hard, be dedicated and competent in your job to
get that big fat promotion. But in these competitive times, a lot more
goes into getting a good appraisal. So, we put together 10 tips that
can help improve your chances of a promotion.
1. Set a goal and a path to get there
First, figure out what’s the next role or job you want. Then, do what
it takes to get there, over and above your current job duties.
For instance, if you are a marketing executive and the next level is
to become a brand manager, there might be certain types of projects or
training that can enhance your skills and make you better suited for
your next job.
“The more initiative the employee takes based on his aspiration, the
faster he will learn,” says Sumit Mitra, executive vice-president of
human resources at Godrej Industries Ltd. Managers will eventually see
that you understand the new role and consider you for it.
2. Don’t wait to be spoon-fed
In this dynamic world, organizations and jobs are evolving all the
time and jobs are not simply a certain set of duties. Be on the
lookout for what’s changing around you and step up to take on extra
tasks when possible. It shows your drive, and perhaps helps the boss
out a little bit. Don’t wait for your manager to come and tell you
what else you should be doing. The promotion won’t come to you, you
need to reach out to get it.
“I would always be impressed by a person who takes a proactive
approach in taking on additional responsibilities,” says Nirmit
Parekh, managing director and chief executive officer of international
executive research firm 3P Consultants Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai.
3. Be flexible and let it be known
Are you open to moving on to a new job function or to a different
location for work? If yes, let your superiors know. Sometimes managers
may perceive, for instance, that you might not want to move to another
location because your children are in school or your husband can’t
move, and thus pass you up for a promotion. Make sure you don’t get
tagged with this label.
Some companies, like Godrej, have systems by which you can let your
company know of your openness to moving. But if your company doesn’t,
“you should informally inform the human resources team; they will have
more visibility” of jobs across the company, says Mr. Mitra.
4. Mid-way feedback
The surest way to know if you are on the right track to where you want
to go is to ask. While most companies have a formal performance
appraisal process once a year, experts suggest that it might make
sense to check in with your boss informally, mid-way through the year.
This lets your boss know: “I’m here to learn, I’m here to contribute,
please let me know where I’m falling short,” says Mr. Parekh. “It also
makes the person who you’re asking (feel) respected.”
5. Turn challenges into opportunities
It sounds like self-help babble. But sometimes a promotion or
opportunity may really come your way in the form of a challenge, such
as a project in a remote part of the country.
If you sign up for it and do a good job, it shows management your
ability to handle pressure and your grit. “Going through these
challenges not only gives you a sense of newfound confidence, but also
gives you recognition that you are just not a peace-time general but a
successful war-time general,” says P. Dwarakanath, director of group
human capital at Max India Ltd., a financial and healthcare services
firm.
6. Be a problem-solver, not a complainer
If you’re working on a project and there is a roadblock, don’t go
running to your boss listing all the problems. “If you are expecting
your manager to find a solution then I think you are expecting a lot,”
says Rajalakshmi S., director of human resources at Pegasystems
Worldwide (India) Pvt. Ltd, a business process management firm in
Hyderabad.
Instead, be positive and try to figure out ways to solve the problem.
This can be a signal to your higher-ups that you have the ability to
handle more than just your current job, and might be ready for a
leadership role.
7. Find a mentor
If possible, find someone in your organization to help guide you on
what you need to do to move up and to improve your visibility in the
organization. This is especially helpful in very large companies where
younger employees may find it tough to know about various
opportunities.
Finding the right mentor might not be easy. Mr. Mitra of Godrej
advises looking for someone whose guidance and judgment you respect
and with whom you share some emotional connection.
8. Are your goals aligned with the company’s?
As organizations evolve rapidly, they are looking for leaders who
understand the company’s vision and whose goals are aligned with those
of the company. When possible, find ways to make it clear to your
superiors that, at the very least, you are interested in a long-term
career at the company that will involve advancement from your current
position.
9. Getting the boss equation right
Depending on the structure of your organization, your immediate
supervisor may have a little or a lot to do with your promotion. So,
keep him or her happy.
That doesn’t necessarily mean inviting the boss over to dinner at your
place every other week. Rather, you need to build trust and bonding at
a professional level. Following many of the tips above will help. Be a
team player and be the person who can be counted on when something
unexpected happens or there’s a crisis. Ultimately, you want “your
manager (to have) the confidence that you are reliable,” says Mr.
Dwarkanath.
If your boss is holding you back, make sure that you’re visible to
your boss’s boss, who likely will have a greater say in your
advancement. Don’t be thwarted just because you think your immediate
supervisor feels threatened by your promotion prospects.
10. Be patient.
It’s like job-hunting in a way. It requires a degree of karma. If you
are overlooked for a promotion, don’t sweat too much. Complaining and
whining could reduce your chance of being considered for the next one.
Obviously, if you keep being overlooked you need to figure out why
from your superiors.
But don’t read too much into the first or second time you get passed
over. The key is to keep your managers in the loop about your
accomplishments. “If there are gaps in communication, then even the
worthy many times do not get promoted,” says Ms. Rajalakshmi.
By Shefali Anand and Prerna Sodhi
from India Career Journal
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