When a coveted position opens up in a company, it’s like a feeding frenzy around the office. You’re competing with your coworkers for the spot, and you have to be aggressive if you want to win. Here are some important tips on how to beat out your coworkers and get the promotion.
Focus on Your Job
If a few people in your office are gunning for the open spot, don’t get caught up in any office politics. You’ll all be trying to impress the boss, but the best way you can do this is by focusing on your job and continuing to perform at the very top of your ability. Worrying too much about what others are doing or trying too hard to show them up will only distract you and could backfire in the long run.
Talk to Your Boss
As soon as the position opens, it’s a good idea to have a brief talk with your boss before anyone else does. Simply state to your boss that getting the promotion is a goal of yours and that you want it. This is enough to make sure your boss considers you for the position, and he may even be able to offer you some helpful advice on how to get there, such as by telling you what he’s looking for in a candidate.
Work Well with Others
It’s always important to be a team player, but it’s especially important when there’s a promotion at stake. You want to be seen as an employee who gets along with others, not someone who will be cutthroat in their career pursuits. Do not sacrifice the success of the team in order to shine as an individual. It will not bode well for you when decision time comes around.
Come Early, Stay Late
Oftentimes a promotion will mean longer hours and more work, so show your boss that you’re able to handle it by working more at your current job. Show up earlier than before, and stay later. Hopefully your boss will notice the extra effort you’re giving, and they’ll see that you can handle the time demands a promotion might bring. You’ll get bonus points if you’re the first one in and the last one out.
Seek Out References
Especially when you’re in a big company, it’s a good idea to seek out some references. Let your former or current managers and supervisors know you’d like the position, and ask them if they’d be willing to put in a good word for you or send a letter of recommendation to the big bosses who make promotion decisions. It never hurts to have more people on your side.
Be Prepared
When the time comes for your promotion interview or meeting with your boss, be prepared to prove your worth and capability. Write a brief summary of the accomplishments you’ve made at your job, especially the tangible ones that can be backed up with real numbers, like sales increases. Practice for the interview so you’ll be ready to nail it and get the job.
Andreas Svensson is a swedish-born IT specialist and avid writer who enjoys giving others advice. To ensure all his work is done professionally and correctly he utilizes a grammar checker prior to allowing anyone to read it. Learning English grammar rules isn’t easy when it is your second language so he is glad for the extra help.