Make Yourself a Better Promotion Candidate

If moving into a higher position is part of your career plan, don’t just bide your time until you’ve put in enough years to get noticed. There are plenty of things you can do right now to position yourself for a step up the ladder.

Start by taking a look at your skills and educational background. Employers love workers who are always trying to learn new things, especially skills that would benefit the company. Would mastering Spanish help with customer service? Could your computer skills use some updating? Are you afraid of public speaking? Use classes and conferences to develop yourself – and your résumé. Also, be sure that you have the qualifications necessary for making a move upwards. If the next position you desire requires a higher degree or specialized training, you immediately put yourself out of the running if you lack the educational credentials.

Next, show an interest beyond your immediate duties. Learning about different departments helps you understand how the company functions and demonstrates that you are interested in helping the organization achieve its needs and goals. Exhibit genuine curiosity by asking intelligent questions and listening carefully to the responses. You’ll be a more valuable piece of the puzzle if you can see how your individual role fits into the whole.

Lastly, be a respected team member who always gives 100 percent. A worker who is eager to lend a hand, train someone new, or perform a task others balk at gets remembered. Likewise, if you gain a reputation as a solid performer who can be depended upon to deliver on promises and consistently turn out quality work, colleagues and higher-ups alike will be able to envision you in a position of greater responsibility.

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