4 Ways To Show Your Manager You’re Ready For A Promotion

As seen on Forbes.

Opportunities don’t just happen and fall onto your lap, you have to create them. Getting a promotion at work is often initiated by your manager, but you can actively create those opportunities to showcase your hard work and proactively seek that job promotion.

A recent survey among 800 US employees showed that 63% of the workforce received a promotion in the last 2 years, while nearly 8% have not been promoted in the past 5 years and 14% have never received a promotion. 

If you know that you’re ready for the next steps in your career, here are 4 ways you can show your manager that you deserve to level up from your current role: 

Be Exceptional In Your Current Role

Doing your job well will help you keep the job, but doing it exceptionally well will get you recognized and be considered for a promotion. Be on top of all the tasks assigned to you by submitting your work on time, or even earlier, to show your time management skills. Communicate clearly and professionally with your manager by providing concise updates and impactful insights when working on a project. 

Being able to establish clear, measurable goals for yourself and consistently exceeding them not only demonstrates your commitment to the job but also emphasizes your ability to deliver results. 

Show That You’re Capable Of More

A promotion means added responsibilities, so to get your manager’s attention to give you a promotion, you have to show that you can handle more tasks. It doesn’t have to be having to lead a huge project by yourself right at once, you can do it little by little. 

Start by suggesting that you get on other projects, especially those that align with your strengths and interests to demonstrate eagerness to expand your responsibilities. Always add value to your new team by offering solutions or ideas for improving processes, and workflows, or achieving success in the project’s completion. 

You can also work on other things that another role would require. Looking for ways to innovate shows that you’re forward-thinking and committed to the company’s organizational goals. A study by Gallup shows that only 10% of people have the talent to manage people, so demonstrating leadership skills even if you aren’t in a formal leadership role could get you that promotion too. Exceed expectations, inspire others with your work ethic, and lead by example. 

Mirror The Role You Want To Have

You might have heard of the saying “fake it ‘til you make it,” and there is some truth to it. This mantra is another crucial way to nudge your manager into giving you the role you want with a promotion. If you are already able to do the responsibilities for the position that you’re aiming for, then you’re a step closer to that new role.

Observe and mirror the behaviors of those who are successful in your desired role, including communication styles, decision-making processes, and problem-solving approaches. Keep pushing yourself to develop new skills and improve your output.

Being mentored by someone who’s already doing the job you want could also increase your success in getting that role, especially if they’re planning to leave the job soon and are looking for a replacement. Make it easier for them to see that the best person for the role is the one they’re already looking after. Studies show that people with mentors perform better and advance in their careers faster, and despite these benefits, more than 54% of working professionals do not have this kind of relationship. 

So, take advantage of having a mentor to boost your career growth. If you want to ask your current manager to be your mentor, our previous article on Asking Your Manager to Be Your Mentor could be of help to you. 

Do The Work Without Being Asked

Have you ever completed a task before anyone told you to do so? That instinctive drive to take charge, get things done, and make your manager’s workload lighter shows good initiative. This is a valuable trait that highlights your dedication, reliability, and leadership potential to climb the corporate ladder.

Make this a habit by offering to help a colleague or manager in completing projects on time. It does not only show your willingness to contribute more but also build healthy relationships in your workplace. You can also do the task that everyone in the team seems to be avoiding because it is difficult or it will take a long time to accomplish it. This will exhibit your work ethic and that you are a team player, making you an attractive employee for future opportunities.

Keep in mind that many employers like to fill positions by promoting within the company as it requires less time and resources than an external hire. So make sure that you build a good working relationship with your manager so they will recommend you for a promotion if a spot is available.

Showing your manager that you deserve a promotion is not just about meeting expectations, it’s about going above and beyond with exceptional results. Position yourself as a standout candidate within the organization by taking initiative, doing more, and being mentored. Continue showcasing your value so that your efforts will be recognized and you’ll be rewarded with a promotion. It may be closer than you think!