Not everyone has the desire to climb the corporate ladder but that doesn't mean that you should not aim to move up through the ranks in order to better yourself and your company. Not all organizations have a direct path to moving into more senior positions (assistant manager, manager, general manager, for example). However, if you follow the tips we outline below, you will stand out within your company and put yourself in a position for personal and financial growth.
Track and Quantify Your Accomplishments
Being able to show concrete, quantifiable contributions to the organization can help tip the scales in your favor when it comes time for a promotion. To get started, simply create a personal log/notebook that tracks the number of widgets you produced, the number of clients you renewed, or the amount of new business you sold. When an opportunity presents itself, the candidate that can quickly quantify how they contributed will have an advantage over others that are being considered.
Make Your Boss Look Good
There is a good change that your manager has certain performance goals to meet throughout the year and her team’s performance is related to whether she will hit those goals. Make sure you know what her goals are and do your best to help her reach them. When it comes time for a promotion, you will be the first team member to come to mind for a recommendation.
Work Outside of Your Comfort Zone
It’s easy to fall into a routine of showing up to work, doing the minimum that is expected of you and clocking out at the end of the day. However, these are the types of employees that stay under the radar and are passed over when it comes time to promote a team member. If you want to advance to the next level, it’s important to move out of your comfort zone by taking on new tasks or special projects.
Nurture Relationships
As mentioned above, staying under the radar could cause you to get passed over for a promotion. In many cases an opportunity may present itself in a different department or area of the company. Building relationships with co-workers and networking in the company break room could uncover opportunities that you may not have been aware of if you did not try to nurture relationships at work.
Suggest a New Position
This may seem like a bold move, but don’t be surprised at the potential to create a new position based on a gap that you think needs to be filled. Consider writing a proposal for management suggesting the new position. Even if the company decides against creating the role, you have shown your initiative, creativity, and value to the firm. These qualifications can only help you the next time you request a promotion.
In Summary, not everyone wants or needs to be on a path to senior management. However, a few simple changes in your daily behavior at work could set you up for growth.
