On the night of the full moon, the witching hour approaches. Earlier that day, Jacob, an employee at XYZ Inc., received a glowing annual performance review. He’d reached all his professional goals, and his supervisors were impressed with his dedication to going above and beyond. When he left work that evening, his boss said she was looking forward to seeing the next chapter of Jacob’s career unfold, complete with new and expanded responsibilities. As the clock strikes midnight, Jacob feels a strange and exciting sensation, almost as if he has now transformed—
Into a senior member of XYZ Inc.’s staff.
How to Transform Your Career
If only landing a promotion were as magical (or as straightforward) as a werewolf transformation for the rest of us. According to a study of employees from the largest companies in the U.S. and the UK, it takes the average employee around 30.4 months to get promoted. And as you move up the career ladder, promotions become fewer and farther between. That said, the study also found that most employees at these organizations were due for a promotion, having worked in their current roles much longer than they had in their previous positions at the same companies.
But positioning yourself for a promotion isn’t solely a matter of tenure, and you don’t have to wait around to transform your role into the one that you want. If you’ve got your eye on a new title and new responsibilities, here are five action items that will help you land a promotion—full moon not required.
1. Exceed Expectations
The first step to putting yourself on the radar for a promotion may seem obvious, but it’s one of the best and often easiest ways to make a name for yourself within your organization. Take full ownership of your responsibilities in your current role, then exceed expectations. Demonstrate that you’re reliable, dedicated, and proactive by going beyond your job description and identifying opportunities to do more.
For example, if one of your responsibilities is to submit regular reports to your supervisor, take a closer look at them and determine whether anything can be streamlined or expanded to provide more relevant information. You can also identify gaps or challenges within your organization and show initiative by brainstorming potential solutions and pursuing them. Find areas where your unique skills can be an asset, even if they fall beyond the current scope of your responsibilities. Leadership takes notice of employees known for innovation, exemplary performance, and teamwork—all qualities that decision-makers look for when considering internal promotions.
2. Exude Leadership Qualities
Promotions often come with leadership responsibilities, both formally (through direct reports) and informally (through subject-matter expertise). Position yourself as a strong candidate by cultivating and demonstrating the key skills and qualities of effective leaders in your current role. Regardless of your responsibilities, leadership can look like:
Being a mentor to your teammates and sharing your knowledge and skills through training and demonstrations.
Taking the lead on projects or initiatives without being asked.
Making decisions and being able to explain your reasoning.
Demonstrating soft skills, such as active listening, emotional intelligence, and adaptability.
When your desired role opens up, decision-makers in your organization will be looking for someone already comfortable leading a project or meeting, and whom others look to for guidance and support.
3. Seek Out Professional Development
Whether your desired role requires additional formal training or not, seeking out professional development opportunities can only improve your chances of a promotion. Continuing to invest in your skills and broadening your horizons demonstrates to leadership that you’re interested in advancing your career and adding value to your organization.
Professional development may look different depending on your desired role, but here are a few ways to sharpen your skills:
Take online classes or training courses and pursue professional certifications to strengthen your resumé.
Ask your peers and supervisors for feedback on your performance, then apply their advice to future projects.
Brush up on new technologies and experiment with how they can be applied to your workload. Proficiency with artificial intelligence (AI) tools is becoming increasingly desirable for mid- and senior-level positions as the technology continues to advance.
Pursue opportunities to attend professional conferences and other industry events, either in person or virtually. The informational sessions and networking opportunities can benefit both your organization and your career.
4. Build Your Network
Speaking of networking, you can build your professional network beyond industry events as you pursue a promotion. Making positive professional connections within your organization can improve your reputation, increase your visibility with leadership, and help you develop skills that are essential for career growth.
Make an effort to be visible to your colleagues, and not just the people you usually work with or your direct supervisors. Be friendly, introduce yourself to teammates in other departments, and look for opportunities to get involved, whether through cross-departmental projects or by participating in employee engagement events. The more people who know your name—and your work—the more people you’ll have who can vouch for you when the time comes for a promotion.
5. Be Your Own Advocate
You may know that you’re ready to move up the ladder, but does your supervisor know? And are they aware of your latest wins and contributions beyond what’s covered in your annual performance review?
Promotions are rarely given to employees who keep their heads down. So, to land your dream role, the final —and arguably most important—step is to speak up and advocate for yourself. Document the projects and initiatives you contributed to, along with their results, if available. Then, approach your supervisor and share your long-term career goals. Highlight what you’ve accomplished and ask for pointers or feedback on areas you may still need to improve. Once you’ve addressed that feedback and consistently demonstrated your growth, don’t be afraid to revisit the conversation and ask for a promotion directly. It may feel forward, but if you don’t ask, you may not receive it. Studies have shown approximately 55% of workers do not negotiate their salaries at all, but among those who do, two-thirds receive the increase they requested. Play your cards right, and you might be one of those rewarded for speaking up.
Set Yourself Up for Success
If you have a promotion in your sights, you don’t need to wait around for fate to bring about your career transformation. Take initiative, make a name for yourself, and focus on building the skills, experience, and connections that will propel you into your next role. After all, the best career transformations don’t happen overnight—they’re built one intentional step at a time.
