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6 Ways to Get a Promotion
July 31, 2009 – 7:32 amSo you want a promotion?
Yeah, thought so. We all do. Who doesn’t want more money, more authority, more power (*Insert Tim Allen grunts here*)?
OK, so how do you get one though, especially in this downturn economy?
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| Advancing your career is hard work! |
One of our bloggers on Human Resources IQ, Kevin Burns, wrote about 10 things you can do to not get a promotion.
Fair enough.
But, let’s be positive, shall we? (It’s this new thing I’m trying.) What can you do to get a promotion?
Well, here’s my list.
6 Things to Do to Get a Promotion at Work
Work Hard. I mean, duh, right? Show up to work on time. Don’t goof off the whole day or spend most of your morning checking on your fantasy baseball league (unless that’s somehow your job. In which case, carry on).
Play office politics. Bring in doughnuts to the company meeting. Laugh at the boss’ jokes. Get in with the “cool” clique. Yes, unfortunately, work is pretty much like high school. The popular people get ahead.
Be a team player. Uggh, cliche, I know, but you gotta work well with others to get ahead. If you’re always shooting down others’ ideas or not getting in your assignments on time, no one will want to work with you. And they certainly won’t want to give you more money.
Go to a happy hour or two. Provided you don’t get completely sloshed and end up propositioning the boss’ wife (unless he’s seriously open minded), this is a way for coworkers and higher ups to learn about you, and get to like you, in a more relaxed context.
Take on extra work and projects. Yup, it’s a pain, but it’ll show that you can handle more responsibility. Plus it will give you something to do besides check up on your fantasy baseball league.
Ask for a promotion. Set up a meeting with the boss, provide specific examples of how you’ve contributed and gone above and beyond, and ask for a promotion. I know it’s scary. But no one is just going to give you a promotion. The worst thing that could happen if you ask and your boss says no is that you’re in the same position that you were in before. If you don’t ask, you’re in the same position that you were in before. Forever.
What are some of your tips for getting a promotion? Write your thoughts below.
5 Responses to “6 Ways to Get a Promotion”
Enjoyed your list … al except for the “Play Office Politics.” I would offer to be “above” the office politics but be a nice guy. Treat people as people and accept them as they are. Shouldn’t be lot of of politics to play then. Good list though. Thanks for the “spin” on mine. I still think mine’s funnier (kidding).
By Kevin Burns on Jul 31, 2009
I like the boozing after work. Whatever U say can’t be held against you during happy hour bar crawls
By tastyAA on Aug 4, 2009
I agree that office politics are obnoxious – but even making a choice to “not play” them puts you in the game – just a different position. Whenever I can I give everyone I meet with tips on how to stay out of them and how to encourage others not to participate BUT pretending they don’t exist isn’t strategic either. Beer and work – hmmm – avoid whenever I can. Work is work and play is play. There is happy medium in there somewhere and you should find it whenever you can.
By Karen Reedman (KRonHR) on Aug 4, 2009