@aninebing
If you’re wondering how to get promoted, you’re already on the right track. Thinking about it makes you more likely to shoot for the stars and make it happen. And, to be honest, it’s a bit more than just doing your job well.
In order to earn a promotion, you need to prove that you’re ready to take on the responsibility, that you’re the right candidate to climb the ladder, and that you’re deserving of this role. So, how exactly do you do that? Well, you start by looking at the people who’ve already earned their promotion and then you go from there…

1. Be a goal-oriented person 

There is no harm in sitting down with your boss and discussing your professional goals. Let them know where you want to be, what you’re trying to achieve and how you want to get there. Your boss can help you by telling you the areas you need to improve in, by pushing you towards opportunities and by telling you what’s going well.
Ask yourself the question ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ – and share that information with your manager or your boss. There’s no harm in putting it out there, if you’re not ready yet, they can tell you, and they can put a good word in for you elsewhere.

2. Be selfless, not selfish 

When talking about your growth, the things you want to do and the things you need to achieve, using ‘we’ not ‘I’ is always better. It’s not just in the way you talk, though, it’s about your actions. This is how to get promoted, for sure.
Stay late with the team to help them get stuff done, go above and beyond to hit your goals and volunteer yourself for more tasks and responsibility because you can, not just because of an immediate reward.
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3. Become irreplaceable 

Is there some aspect of your job that you can take over sole responsibility for? Can you improve a system somewhere? When you’re the go-to person for something specific, you know you’ve nailed it, because you are indispensable. This is key when you’re thinking about how to get promoted.
Leadership is always looking for this type of person, someone who can make a role their own and grow within the company while hitting their goals and nailing it every day. Find out how to make the first hour of work the most productive if you struggle with this.

4. Do some homework 

Yep, if you want to climb the ladder you’re going to need to invest some time and money into resources that will make you a better employee. Go to events or presentations, invest in skills that might be relevant, sign up to journals.
Let others around you know about the knowledge you’re accruing. Drop it into the conversation or use it at work to improve a process or bring knowledge to a meeting, this is a subtle way of proving you’re dedicated to the industry.

5. Create your work portfolio

If you’re ever in the position to ask for a raise or be put forward for a promotion, you need to think like management. They are operating as a business, after all, so they want to know what you can bring back. What’s your return on investment?
Rather than feeling like you’ve been put on the spot, or feeling a little nervous to talk yourself up, create a working portfolio that you can show them. “Glad you asked,” you can say when they ask you what you’ve achieved this year that you feel shows you’re ready for a promotion. Then you can whip out your portfolio and show every professional achievement you’ve had within the company, and how it’s directly helped them achieve their bottom line. You’re looking for how to get promoted, but what you need to really look for is how to earn a promotion. Your work portfolio will show any manager your worth.