10 Tips On How To Ask For a Promotion
Everyone fancies getting promoted at their workplace, but few achieve it. Being promoted at work means better pay, higher social status, exciting perks, and extra work that is worth it. The raise is always on merit, but one can ask for it. If you’re overdue, learning to request a promotion will help shorten your waiting time. Here are 10 tips to try out for the lift.
1. Get Clear Expectations From Your Boss
The fastest way to ask for a promotion is to know the benchmark first. Ask your bosses for clear targets you can hit from your current position that will set you up for a promotion. This way, you’ll set realistic milestones within achievable schedules for the following promotion opportunities. Your superiors will see you as a goal-oriented person who is always looking for extra responsibilities and can think long-term. These are unique qualities every employer values in their employees.
2. Research the Role
Promotion may require responsibilities outside your current position. One way to over-deliver on a new role, even though it’s your first time, is research. Take crash courses and ask those ahead of you for experiential advice. Utilize the internet. Record and implement your discoveries. Over time, you’ll naturally adjust to the demands of the next role. Your boss won’t have a better choice than to promote you.
3. Seek Feedback
You can’t be too careful on your first try; you need feedback. After researching the role and acquiring the necessary skills, implement them and get feedback from your boss. This way, you’ll build a professional relationship with your boss that no one else in the company has. You’ll become the go-to person when the opportunity arises to promote someone to that position.
4. Identify and Solve Problems
One of the best ways to get promoted, regardless of your current position, is to demonstrate your capabilities—don’t just talk about them. Learn to identify and solve problems in your organization. It could mean be skilled at answering customers queries or solving complex problems. These attributes will set you apart as an asset to your company and paint you as fit for leadership. A sneak peak: your boss is already overwhelmed with current issues in the organization. You’ll be a no-brainer plus to outsource some responsibility to.
5. Build a Case
One way to show credibility is by presenting data. Data breaks down skepticism, regardless of the industry. Keep a record of all the problems you’ve solved in your organization and the positive impacts on the company’s goals, vision, and mission. Organize this data and present it to the decision-makers in your company. This record will serve as strong proof of your merits for a promotion. Additionally, it will look impressive on your resume for opportunities outside your organization.
6. Be a Positive Influence in the Office
Does your presence in the office encourage coworkers? Even if you’re not the boss, being reliable and having integrity are essential. Bosses appreciate committed employees who get the work done. Leading by example is one way to show you’re dedicated to growth in your career. Set a professional goal that aligns with your company’s goals and visions. Make it known to your superiors that you wish to be part of the business’s success story by taking up new roles. Your visible professional improvement and achieved goals will set you above your colleagues. You won’t say much when opportunities for promotion arise in the future.
7. Continuous Professional Development
Maintain competency in your current position, but keep learning and implementing supporting skills for the next role. Your boss will take you seriously when you’re dedicated to professional development. If you aim for a managerial position, acquire the complementary skill sets for the role. Add the certifications to your resume. Display the skills and certifications when applying for a promotion. This will place you in a winning pedestal.
8. Brace Yourself for a “No”
Getting a “No” hurts, but it doesn’t mean denial for the subsequent trial. When that happens, maintain a positive attitude. Politely ask for constructive feedback and inquire about how to position yourself better. Set action plans and stick to them. Be dedicated, not obsessed, so it won’t affect your current role. Always get feedback from superiors; this will show your focus and zeal for the company’s success. Your reconsideration might be the topic of the next board meeting.
9. Don’t Compare Yourself To Others
Resist the urge to say, “But James got promoted last year, why can’t I?” That won’t sit well with your boss. You’re not James. James got his promotion on merit by providing data and showing referrals. Get to work and make a strong case worthy of consideration. Don’t seek a promotion because James did. Instead, focus on how you can contribute to the success of your organization. If you don’t know how, learn from James.
10. Watch the Timing
There’s no defined time to ask for a promotion. However, some occasions are more favorable than others. A more appropriate time to request a promotion is during performance evaluations when you have delivered your best. Asking for a promotion outside that time may bring unfavorable responses. Another method is to request a meeting with your boss at the end of the month and follow practice step #1.
The idea is to tie your promotion request to happy and acknowledged moments you have caused. This will increase your chances of being considered.
However, you may not always get a “Yes”. Get serious and take extra steps, but don’t lose yourself.
Also See: 16 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Income Without a Raise
