Sometimes you are actually not the best person for the job … but a lot of the time, if you feel like you should have gotten that promotion but didn’t, there are other factors playing a role. The best way to insure that you get that promotion, though, is to know what those factors are before you are passed over so that you can take some corrective action now. Here are some questions you should ask yourself if you’re hoping to improve your chances of scoring a promotion.
Can you quantify your contributions to the company? Sure, you might know that you contribute … to some things, in some ways. If you’re hoping to score a promotion, though, you should think about – and be able to quantify – the ways in which you help the company. This isn’t only helpful if you have the opportunity to make your case as to why you should be promoted; it’s also helpful simply for your own awareness. If you keep track of your specific contributions to the company, you are more likely to be aware of your specific value and to act accordingly, thus making it easier to answer the remaining questions appropriately.
Have you voiced your desire for promotion? Believe it or not, usually you need to voice your desire for a promotion. Your boss may not even know you’re interested in a move if you don’t say so. When you voice your desire to move up, it’s best to do so in person so that you can get a good understanding of the situation and expectations. Plus, you’ll have a good chance to verbalize the answers you thought of in the question above.
Do people know you? Although you might think of work as being just about work, you need to take the time to get to know you. When it comes time to discuss promotions, your boss will find it easier to convince others of your appropriateness for the position if people actually know who you are. So, start learning names – and speaking up enough that they learn yours. Management is not overly likely to be on board with giving a promotion to “that quiet guy in the last cubicle.”
Do you look like management material? That is, do you arrive at work neatly dressed and awake? Or do you slump in, eyes half shut with the most casual get-up you can get away with? Even if it’s okay to dress casually at your workplace, it is always a good practice to dress for the job you want, not the job you have.
