Last updated on Mar 22, 2024

What do you do if you're ready for a promotion and want to position yourself accordingly?

You've been working hard, delivering results, and exceeding expectations. You feel ready for a promotion, but you're not sure how to make it happen. How do you position yourself as a valuable and deserving candidate for the next level? Here are some tips to help you network your way to a promotion.

1 Assess your strengths and gaps

Before you start reaching out to potential advocates and decision-makers, you need to have a clear idea of what you bring to the table and what you need to improve. Conduct a self-assessment of your skills, achievements, and areas of growth. Identify your unique value proposition and how it aligns with the goals and needs of your organization. Be honest and realistic about your gaps and how you plan to address them.

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Parag Bhalerao

SVP & Senior Executive
Assessing strengths and gaps is an important step, however this assessment can't on technical skill level alone. As we are trying to move up the ladder, other aspects related to business, processes, people management etc. become more and more important. We need to identify trainings and motors that will equip us to perform the new job more effectively.
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2 Communicate your aspirations

Don't assume that your boss or your colleagues know that you want a promotion. You need to communicate your career goals and expectations in a proactive and respectful way. Schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss your performance, feedback, and development plan. Express your interest in taking on more responsibilities and challenges, and ask for their support and guidance. Also, inform your mentors, sponsors, and peers about your aspirations and seek their advice and input.

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Parag Bhalerao

SVP & Senior Executive
Communicating your aspirations is important but can get a bit tricky at times. We need to understand that not everyone around us will be thrilled with our aspirations. Again, demonstrating your skills and desires through various channels including performance review meetings, skip level meetings, goal settings, acquiring training/certifications, etc. becomes important. Also we need to keep an eye on open requirements and job posts within the company.
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3 Build your visibility and credibility

One of the key factors that influence promotion decisions is how visible and credible you are within your organization and your industry. You need to showcase your expertise, contributions, and impact in various platforms and channels. For example, you can volunteer for cross-functional projects, lead presentations or workshops, publish articles or blogs, or join professional associations or committees. By doing so, you can expand your network, demonstrate your value, and gain recognition.

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4 Seek feedback and opportunities

Another way to position yourself for a promotion is to seek feedback and opportunities that can help you grow and improve. Ask your manager, mentors, sponsors, and peers for constructive and specific feedback on your work, skills, and behaviors. Listen to their suggestions and implement them in your action plan. Also, look for opportunities to take on stretch assignments, learn new skills, or solve problems that can showcase your potential and readiness for the next level.

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5 Cultivate relationships and trust

Networking is not only about meeting new people, but also about cultivating relationships and trust with the people you already know. You need to nurture your connections with your manager, mentors, sponsors, peers, and other stakeholders who can influence or support your promotion. You can do this by staying in touch, providing value, expressing gratitude, and reciprocating favors. By building rapport and trust, you can increase your chances of getting referrals, endorsements, and recommendations.

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Parag Bhalerao

SVP & Senior Executive
Building trusting relationships, gaining confidence from peers and seniors is important. Helping them resolve their problems, going extra mile, volunteering for trainings or other initiatives will help us increase our visibility while gaining the trust.
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6 Be prepared and confident

Finally, you need to be prepared and confident when the opportunity for a promotion arises. You need to have a strong resume, portfolio, and elevator pitch that highlight your achievements, skills, and goals. You also need to practice your interview skills, anticipate questions, and prepare answers that showcase your fit and potential for the role. Moreover, you need to project confidence, enthusiasm, and professionalism in your interactions with the hiring managers and other decision-makers.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you're ready for a promotion and want to position yourself accordingly?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your strengths and gaps

2 Communicate your aspirations

3 Build your visibility and credibility

4 Seek feedback and opportunities

5 Cultivate relationships and trust

6 Be prepared and confident

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Networking

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What do you do if you're ready for a promotion and want to position yourself accordingly?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your strengths and gaps

2 Communicate your aspirations

3 Build your visibility and credibility

4 Seek feedback and opportunities

5 Cultivate relationships and trust

6 Be prepared and confident

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Networking

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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