Position Yourself For the Promotion You Want

Ready for that well deserved promotion? Here are 10 steps to help position you for that next big career move.

1. Get clear on your goals and identify the next step in your career journey. While you don’t need a full 5 year plan, you do need to know what comes next.

2. Prepare yourself for the position you want. Look at a few job postings for this type of role. Highlight the skills and responsibilities that you do not currently have and work on those now.

3. Take initiative. I cannot stress this enough. Do not limit yourself by your job title or description. At each step of my career, I looked at what I wanted to do next and started asking for those opportunities. The value is in the experience.

4. Find a mentor/coach. It makes such a difference when you have someone to help guide and support you in your career. Invest in yourself and learn how to go farther faster.

5. Use your 1:1 meetings with your manager strategically - come prepared with topics to discuss, highlights and successes to share, progress updates, challenges, and goals. Use this time to get feedback and identify opportunities for further growth and development.

6. Stay visible and top of mind - make sure your achievements are noticed by the right people.

7. Keep a list of projects you have worked on, accomplishments, results, and recognition you have received. This is key to highlight and reference in meetings with your manager, on interviews, in your resume, and during your annual appraisal.

8. Belief and doubt take the same amount of energy. Stop falling into the imposter syndrome trap and know that you can do it.

9. Doing the work isn’t enough. You need to communicate your value. The hardest worker doesn’t always get recognized. The one who can communicate their value does.

10. Don’t wait for the opportunity. Create the opportunity.