By Rosalyn L. (@MsRosalynOfficial)
Photo Credit: CreateHerStock / Neosha-Gardner
If you’re ready to move beyond an entry level position, you’ll likely find these five tips to position yourself for a promotion to be quite useful. After all, once you’ve been working in the same position for a while, there’s a good chance that you’ll be ready to take on a new challenge. It’s up to you to conduct yourself in a manner that positions you as someone who should be considered for higher level job opportunities as they become available.
Conducting yourself as a team player is one of the most important things that you can do to position yourself for career advancement. Working as a team player involves focusing on what’s in the best interest of your department and the company as a whole instead of just looking out for your own interests. To position yourself as a team player, it’s important to exhibit a “we” attitude. For example, make it a point of developing positive relationships with your co-workers. Be proactive in offering to help others when your workload allows. When you are recognized for an accomplishment, share the credit by pointing out the role that others played in the success.
Also Speak Up!
If you want to be considered for advancement, take advantage of every opportunity you have to learn new skills. Many companies encourage employees to cross train, which involves learning how to perform tasks that are beyond the scope of their current position. Companies do this to help ensure continuity when employees are out temporarily or permanently, as well as to identify team members who are open to learning new things.
Employees sometimes complain about cross training, saying that management is trying to get more work out of them without paying for it. This is not an attitude of someone who is likely to be seen as being promotable. Instead, look at on the job cross training as a way to become more valuable to your company. After all, the greater your skill level is, the more types of jobs you will be eligible to perform. Additionally, by exhibiting a positive attitude toward learning new skills, you’ll distinguish yourself in a positive way from grumbling co-workers.
If you are ready to take your career to the next level, be sure and implement these tips to position yourself for a promotion. Doing so can help you build a solid reputation as a professional. Even if the right opportunity doesn’t become available within your own company, following these tips will likely help you cultivate a strong network of peers and other business contacts.
