Climbing the corporate ladder is a central component of the American Dream, but it is no easy feat. The fabled success story of an entry-level employee working their way up from the mailroom to the C-Suite is a tale told time and time again, however, changes in the US labor market and culture have fundamentally altered workforce development. Put simply, hard work is no longer the sole criteria for a promotion at most companies.
A 2021 workplace happiness survey by SurveyMonkey and CNBC shows that 60% of Americans rated their opportunities for career advancement as “good” or “excellent.” However, these opportunities for advancement are just that—opportunities—without action on the part of the employee. In order to capitalize on your growth potential to get a promotion at your current job, it is crucial that you take the time to develop a plan and stand out amongst your competition.
Leverage your Professional Network
Like most things in life, securing a promotion is much easier with support from others. No man is an island, and even independent contributors can receive assistance from their colleagues and mentors in the workplace.
If you are planning your next move up, seek out employees at your company that have recently been promoted and ask them for their advice. Not only will they be able to provide valuable insights into their own experience securing a promotion, but they can also serve as references further along in the process.
Communicate with your Supervisor
Maintaining consistent communication with your manager is always a good idea, and it becomes even more so if you are pursuing a promotion at your current role. Initiate a dialogue surrounding your future career goals and ask questions about what you need to do to achieve that mission. By doing so, you are not only demonstrating that you are committed to growing with your company but also that you are open to feedback and constructive support – a key personality trait found in leaders.
Cultural Fit Matters
In order to show your employer that you are ready for the next step in your career progression, you must showcase your value outside of your required duties. You can do so by engaging in activities and team-building events at your company. Playing an active role in organizational culture-shaping efforts will improve your visibility to higher-ups and fortify your path to a future promotion.
Do Your Research
If you want to successfully move up in a company, it is crucial that you take the time to research industry requirements and standards for the position you are seeking. Remember, promotions don’t exist in a vacuum – more often than not, they are a result of vacancies that must be filled. This means that you could be competing against dozens of internal and external candidates, most of whom will be extremely qualified for the role.
In order to stand out from the pack, research individuals on LinkedIn who have held similar positions to the one you are targeting. Once you’ve done so, you can identify trends in qualifications (such as function-specific certifications and training courses) and begin strategizing on how to attain those qualifications yourself.
With the right plan in place, you can be confident that you are setting yourself up for success with regard to your next promotion.