8 Great Points to Make to Your Boss to Get Promoted

The secret to achieving a better job and a higher pay grade in your company is doing great work – but sometimes, fulfillingor even exceeding the duties of your job isn’t enough. A promotion might just fall into your lap if you’re doing an excellent job—but, more often than not, you’ll need to take steps to ensure that your boss recognizes your contributions and knows you’re ready and able to work at a higher level.

What are the right things to say and do to make sure your boss knows you’re motivated and interested in climbing the workplace ladder?

1.    Tell your boss about your career goals: Lay the groundwork from day one by telling your boss in your initial job interview – or, later on, at your review meetings – that you’d be interested in a promotion, and where you see your career headed in the next five or ten years. By looking ahead, you’ll show that you’rea good planner and strategist, important characteristics of management.

2.    Ask for more responsibilities: If you do everything you’re asked but never go above and beyond your job duties, your boss may never know if you’re capable on taking on the additional responsibilities and challenges that come with a promotion. Demonstrate that you’re ready by asking for assignments outside of the scope of your current job description.

3.    Toot your own horn: You could be carrying out your own responsibilities perfectly, helping your co-workers, boosting office morale, and innovating improvements in workflow and efficiency – but if your boss doesn’t know you’re the one behind these achievements, you might never get the promotion you deserve. Keep your supervisor in the loop about what you’ve accomplished and what you’re working on.

4.    Be direct: Tell your boss you’re interested in available promotions. Whether it involves scheduling a one-on-one meeting or simply dropping hints over the water cooler or at the company Christmas party, make sure he or she knows you’d like to take on a higher role – especially if a position is open.

5.    Seek new skills: If your workplace offers continuing education classes, diversified training, or other education programs, take advantage of these opportunities for professional development. Being open to learning new skills is a key signal to your boss that you’re interested in tacklinga more advanced position – and that you’re willing to work for it.

6.    Create your own position: If you have the skills to fulfill a role that your workplace needs, but the position doesn’t actually exist yet, don’t just sigh and give up. Suggesting the position to your boss is a great way to show initiative and to create a job for which you and you alone are optimally suited. After all, what do you have to lose?

7.    Ask your boss to mentor you: If your workplace is conducive to this strategy, asking your boss to mentor you can be a smart way to learn the ropes from someone who’s been there – and to gain a powerful ally as you angle for advancement.

8.    Suggest your successor: Doing your job well is a good thing, but if you’re indispensible and no one else can do the job as capably, you’re less likely to be promoted. Think ahead by training your own successor to be ready to fill your shoes once you’ve been promoted – and tell your boss exactly who you think will be ready to take over your job.

By following these eight proven tips, you’ll be ready to move onward and upward with a great promotion in no time.

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