Aiming towards a promotion in any field or job position can be a challenge, especially in business when it’s such a saturated environment. However, while promotion in business can sometimes see you facing tough competition, it can also be one of the most rewarding careers moves if it allows you to rise to the top of a business setting or company and earn a lot more money and experience.
Below are 6 steps you can seek to take to improve your chances of a promotion in business.
Are You Ready for a Promotion?
It’s important to understand whether you are ready for a promotion. This applies to both your working situation, but also your emotional and mental situation too. Promotions may result in more highly-pressured roles with a lot more responsibility, and while the salary may cover for this extra responsibility, it can also take its toll.
Therefore, it’s always important to thoroughly explore your options and think about the specific role you’re applying for. While the desire for a higher salary is always a good driving force behind applying for promotions, you also need to be sure you can handle any career change the promotion will result in.
Will you be able to put in extra hours if needed? At you at the right level of your career to handle this change. How will this affect your personal life? Exploring the situation as a whole is important to know whether now the time for that promotion is. Of course, you can always seek a promotion down the line if now is simply not the time.
6 Steps to Improving Your Chances of Promotion in Business
Step 1: Make Your Intentions Known
You may have hoped and dreamed of this promotion but not vocalized your wishes within your working environment. Speaking with friends and family about the opportunity for promotion, or exploring the situation in your mind, is one thing, but your managers and bosses need to be aware of your business aspirations; otherwise, you might be overlooked.
Be sure to speak at any opportunity about what you would like your future at the company to be. If you’re included in business meetings or have one-to-one appraisals, these are prime opportunities to discuss how you would like to move forward and the fact that you’re willing to take on more responsibility.
Not only does this allow the people in charge to know what your business goals are, but it also opens up a dialogue if they have any advice about what you would need to do or change to advance to the next level.
Step 2: Look for Extra Opportunities
Make yourself available for any extra responsibility, hours, or anything else you can take on to make a good impression. Don’t risk burnout or working more than you’re physically able to just to impress for a promotion, however, as this will do your health no good; instead, look for opportunities you can comfortably do, such as a few hours overtime or taking on extra tasks within the workday. This will show that you’re motivated and willing to put in the time needed to help the business and use your time more productively.
Step 3: Improve Your Qualifications
For a lot of business positions, qualifications and experience will be key. If there is anything you can do to improve your chances by achieving extra business-related qualifications, like an MBA online, this has the potential to set you apart. Especially if you are competing for a promotion with a high number of other applicants, business qualifications can help.
Be sure to also research the expectations of the promotion. For example, there may be a specific request for applicants to have a particular qualification, so you’ll need to make sure you have that before you have the potential to move to the next level.
If this requires you to take further years of study, it will always be worthwhile, as it will still be an advantage for any job role or promotion you seek in the future.
Step 4: Set Yourself Apart as a Leader
This doesn’t mean start issuing orders to your colleagues, but it does mean looking for chances to set yourself apart from other employees. If your business has a team project or something which requires a volunteer to lead, then make sure to put yourself forward, for example. Or, if colleagues need help with something, being willing to share your skills or offer your time can help you to set yourself apart.
Step 5: Be Punctual and Professional
Many areas can be considered when choosing someone for a promotion, and your working track record may be one of them. While you can’t always help being late or sick, of course, doing your best to always make it to work on time and avoid any absences will always work in your favor. Avoiding lateness and being professional is important regardless of promotion, of course, but putting more focus on it around the time you’re looking for a promotion can be a help.
Step 6: Speak to Other Business Professionals Who Have Been Promoted
This is particularly important for the company you work for if it’s a large team that has seen many promotions, especially if others have been promoted for the same role you’re looking for. You may want to see what experience they have, what they did to secure a promotion or any other advice they can offer.
This applies to any business advice you can gather, even if from business professionals outside of your organization. It’s always helpful to learn from people who have been in your position and successfully secured a promotion.
Key Takeaway
Put yourself forward for a promotion by clarifying what you’re striving towards and gathering as much extra experience as you can. Display yourself as a professional who thrives on working hard and always look for opportunities within your workplace that will give you that extra edge.
