The ability to get a promotion at work is essential for any who wants to increase their income. Promotions generally mean higher pay, more opportunities to impact your organization’s decision-making, and the ability to gain leadership experience. In addition, taking on more responsibilities helps us grow professionally. It exposes us to new ideas and different ways of thinking.
Whatever your motivation for wanting to advance, you may find it challenging to get a promotion a work. Some long-tenured employees feel unappreciated when they see new employees advance ahead of them. On the other hand, Black employees may think that their race keeps them from getting ahead.
Unfortunately, discrimination does exist. However, there may be more legitimate reasons you are not being promoted at work. This article will discuss some of the qualities that upper management looks for when promoting employees.
Be a Reliable Employee
Managers expect employees to show up for work and be there on time. Most managers understand that things happen. The occasional attendance issue probably won’t keep you from advancing. However, frequent absences and tardiness will send you further down the list.
Additionally, being a reliable employee isn’t just about showing up. To get a promotion at work, you must show that you are willing to put in extra time when necessary. If a deadline is looming, but you bolt for the door as soon as your shift is over, you are hurting your chances for promotion.
This is especially important if you want a position in management, which often requires you to work longer hours than others.
Leave Your Personal Life at the Door
While networking and getting to know your coworkers is essential, you should maintain a certain level of professionalism and mystery in the workplace. Your coworkers don’t need to know about every aspect of your life. Leave the weekend talks for your friends and keep your work discussions primarily professional.
While upper management may laugh at your jokes of all-night partying and irresponsibility, they will remember these same stories when it is time to hand out promotions.
Dress for the Job you Want, not the Job you Have
I’m not sure who coined this phrase, but this has been a quote that has stuck with me throughout the years.
Whether you like it or not, your appearance says a lot about you.
We all have specific ways in which we like to dress. However, the way we WANT to dress is not always how we SHOULD dress at work. Most employers have a dress code. You may notice that some people follow the dress code while others don’t.
You should do your best, not only to follow the dress code but to exceed it.
If you are seeking a management position, always dress in business attire, even if the office calls for business casual.
If you are required to wear a uniform as part of your job, make sure your pants are shirts are always cleaned and pressed.
Women should always be mindful of their curves. In the workplace, less is more. Leave the hip-hugging skirts and pants for after hours. Work is not the place to draw attention from men. You want to be seen as a professional, not an object.
Be the Best at What You Do
It does not matter whether you work in retail, hospitality, construction, or corporate America. You should strive to be the best at whatever you do.
If your job requires you to make coffee, then be the best coffee maker in the store. If you hate your job, understand that the best way out of that position is to outperform those around you. While others are busy complaining, you should be busy making an impression.
Always Learn
Never become stagnant in your position. There is always something to learn, and you should be looking for opportunities to do so.
Do not be an employee who just comes to work and does the bare minimum. Look for opportunities to improve the processes that you do. Learn new software if you can, and always take advantage of any training programs your job may offer.
In addition to that, you should learn to do the job of the employees around you. Seek opportunities to learn higher-level aspects of the business. Look beyond your duties to figure out how other positions interact with your own.
Get a Degree or Certification
A higher-level degree will significantly impact your ability to move up the chain. You may be able to get promoted without a degree, but you will eventually hit a wall.
Most management positions will require you to have a 4-year degree in something. I think that most businesses would love to promote from within, but unfortunately, the lack of qualifying candidates within the organization forces them to look outside the company for talent.
The last thing anyone wants is for someone less knowledgeable to become their boss. The best way to avoid this situation is to position yourself to become the boss.
It is never too late to go back to college. Make it a priority!
Be Customer Focused
Customers are the cornerstone of any business. Without them, the business wouldn’t exist. Customers can also be a pain to deal with at times. Nevertheless, you should always display good customer service, even with irate customers. Handling difficult situations in a positive manner will impress upper management.
Additionally, thinking of ways to improve the customer experience, even if it isn’t necessarily “your job”, will show that you have leadership qualities.
Believe in Yourself
Getting a promotion at work may be challenging, but it can be done. The advice in this article has worked for me for many years. Despite being a Black woman, I have managed to have positions basically handed to me due to my work ethic.
Do not allow negative thinking to keep you from accomplishing things. If you put your best foot forward, it will be noticed.
