10 steps to getting a promotion

Want a promotion but have no idea how to get one? Follow these simple steps....

Do you ever sit idly daydreaming at your desk, wondering whether you'll ever get a promotion? Perhaps you've been working in the same role for years now, but simply can't understand why you haven't moved up the ladder.

Well, it might be for reasons you've never thought of before. So here are 10 steps to getting that much sought-after promotion.

Socialise

You may think that the key to success is to keep your head down and never stray from your desk. But you'd be wrong. Getting to know your colleagues is really important, so try not to alienate yourself too much.

Don't feel you can't take part in office banter - providing it isn't gossip about your boss' personal life, chatting to your colleagues is a great part of team building.

Similarly, don't stay chained to your desk on a Friday night. If all your colleagues are going to the pub, join them. And don't forget to invite your boss - getting to know your boss could be the first step in the right direction.

Don't be a perfectionist

It's OK to make mistakes. Providing you're working hard, it's not the end of the world if you make the odd mistake. If you do make an error, learn from it and move on. If you're too caught up checking every little detail, your boss might think you're too much of a perfectionist, and as a result, the promotion might go to your colleague.

Be honest

Honesty really is the best policy, so always be truthful when talking to your boss. Make sure you're honest about your aspirations and how you want your career to move forward. Don't simply say what you think your boss wants you to say. You can be tactful about it while still making it clear that you want to progress.

Don't be too tidy

If your desk isn't the epitome of tidiness, don't worry. You can still be organised without having a perfectly neat desk. In fact, if all your pens face the same way and you have neat rows of notes, your boss might think you don't have enough work to do.

Providing you're getting your work done efficiently, the state of your desk shouldn't matter too much (which is just as well because mine is a mess).

Work the right hours

You might think that working extra late and coming in early in the morning will automatically catapult you into the promotion category. But you'd be wrong. If you're continually doing overtime, it could be seen as a sign that you're struggling with your workload and that you can't cope with your deadlines.

That said, if there's a particular busy period coming up and it's generally expected you stay late, make sure you do.

Take on more responsibility

If you think you can take on more responsibility and you're looking for a more challenging role, make sure you volunteer to help out where necessary. Have a chat to your boss about it too - just make sure you're realistic with your expectations and don't aim too high if you don't think you'll be able to cope.

Once you've taken on that responsibility, try to demonstrate how much you are enjoying it. And always do what you say you're going to do. That way, you'll get a reputation for delivering results and being reliable, which is a great thing to have.

Ask questions

Keeping your head down and just getting on with it won't necessarily help you to get a promotion. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if you have an idea about how something could be improved or how the team could work more efficiently, suggest it. Although you might feel you're overstepping the mark, it will show you're interested in improving the business as a whole.

Do the research

If you want to move up the career ladder, make sure you do your research. If there's a specific role you want to apply for, make sure you know the job description inside out and can explain how your skills match up to those required.

Show off your achievements as much as possible - but without sounding too arrogant. If, for example, you've smashed your sales target for the month, make sure your superiors know this.

Related how-to guide

Get a promotion

If you want to get a promotion at work, these tips should set you on the right path.

See the guide

Create a new position

If you genuinely think there's a better way to do your current job or you see the need for a new position, it's worth talking to your boss about it. And as you're the one who thought of this position, and are likely to be the most qualified for it, this should mean you'll be able to take on new responsibilities.

Improve your skills

If you think your skills could do with a polish, see whether there are any courses you could attend. Check with your employer to see whether there's a training budget you can take advantage of. Showing that you want to improve your skills will impress your boss and will also make you better qualified for a potential promotion.

A final note

Finally, according to a study in the American Economic Review, women who wear make-up earn up to 30% more than those who don't. So maybe putting on a spot of lipstick and mascara will give you the promotion you're after (may not work if you're a man, however). Similarly, wearing shoes which make you seem taller is said to help. We're not entirely convinced, however....

This is a classic article that has been updated for 2011.

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