“How to Get Your First Promotion,” by Michael Wenderoth

 

So You Want a Promotion?

Promotions aren’t just about hard work and hitting your targets. There’s an additional set of skills—being politically savvy, thinking strategically, and building social capital—that are critical to climbing the ladder. Here are three things you can do to boost your chances of leveling up. Look backward. Who were the last five people to get promoted at your level? Where did they come from, what were their responsibilities, and who did they spend their time with? Doing this assessment will give you some clues about what your organization rewards and who you might want to build relationships with. Get strategic. Figure out how promotion decisions are made by having an honest conversation with your manager or someone in HR. Clarity about the process will help you identify key decision makers and what they value. Take action. Work with your manager to steer your responsibilities toward what matters most, and network internally to build relationships with influential people who will sponsor you in the future.

This tip is adapted from “How to Get Your First Promotion,” by Michael Wenderoth