With a new title and a higher salary, climbing the ladder at work is an exciting goal to work towards. But there’s a lot of preparation that goes into getting a work promotion. In this guide, we’ll provide tips on how to ask for a promotion, as well as how to increase your chances of getting a promotion.
How do you know when you are ready for a promotion?
When thinking about how to get promoted, it’s crucial to consider whether you’re ready by reflecting on your current role. Here are three signs that you’re ready for a promotion:
- You no longer feel challenged – Overcoming challenging situations pushes you to develop new skills. If you feel like you don’t have any opportunities to improve in your day-to-day work, it might mean you’re ready to step up.
- You’re exceeding expectations – If you consistently receive positive feedback in your performance reviews and surpass your deadlines, these may be signs that you’re ready to take on a more challenging role.
- You’ve taken on additional responsibilities – Taking on extra work and being able to manage your time well is a good sign that you’re ready for the increased responsibility that comes with a promotion.
If you’re still unsure whether it’s too soon for a promotion, the best thing you can do is ask. Have a conversation with your manager about what would be required of you to get a promotion, and then work towards those goals.
How can I ask for a promotion?
If you’re wondering if it’s ok to ask your boss for a promotion, the answer is yes. While asking for a promotion may feel daunting, it can be more efficient than simply waiting – especially if your company doesn’t have a structured promotion policy. Here are four tips on how to ask for a promotion:
- Start with a casual conversation – Having an informal chat with your manager allows you to gauge timelines and the opportunities available within your company. It also makes your manager aware of your goals and prepares them for when you have a more formal meeting. It’s likely that you’ll be more comfortable sharing your goals in a relaxed setting.
- Choose the right time – For a conversation to go well, it’s important to pick the right time of day and week. Consider your manager’s workload and whether they tend to have more energy in the morning or afternoon. You might also like to schedule the conversation after your team or company has received some good news, like hitting a big goal or signing on a client.
- Highlight your achievements in a presentation – Preparing a short presentation is a great way to summarise how you’ve been excelling in your current role. Focus on quantifiable achievements and be specific with any examples you provide. You could also include any recommendations from colleagues or managers you’ve worked with.
- Tie it back to the new role – As much as it’s essential to talk about past achievements, you’ll also want to explain why you’re interested in the new position and how you’ll add value to your team and company.
How can I negotiate my salary for a promotion?
With increased tasks and responsibilities, it’s natural to think about negotiating your salary. Talking about salary can be daunting, so we’ve provided three tips on how to negotiate salary when getting a promotion:
- Do some research – There are many online resources that provide the average salary for different roles and industries. You could also ask colleagues or people in your network for advice on typical salary ranges. This will allow you to gauge what your employer is likely to offer and what is reasonable to accept.
- Be willing to compromise – Your salary can depend on many factors other than your skills and experience. If your company isn’t in a position to negotiate your new salary, consider asking for non-salary benefits such as bonuses or paid time off.
- Decide on a salary range – When negotiating anything, it’s important to think about the maximum and minimum amounts you’re willing to accept. To decide on a realistic salary range, consider your experience, location and company size.
How do I get promoted?
Before you even schedule a meeting with your boss, there are some things you’ll want to do to be considered for a promotion. Here are six strategies on how to increase your chances of getting a promotion:
- Regularly ask for feedback – Not only will this show that you’re committed to developing professionally, but it will also identify what is required of you to get promoted. If you don’t already, set up a monthly catch-up with your manager to discuss your achievements and growth areas.
- Develop your skills and consider further study – Growing your skills and knowledge is crucial if you’re wanting to be promoted. This will show your boss that you’re competent and capable of taking on new responsibilities. One way to do this is with a Postgraduate Degree. Swinburne Online allows you to study anywhere, anytime, so you can balance study with full-time work. With a variety of Online Courses and Degrees, you’re bound to find an area of study that suits your role and industry.
- Consistently exceed expectations – This is a no-brainer, but you want to be performing highly in your current role. Do this by setting clear goals, taking on tasks and projects (if you have the capacity to do so) and producing high-quality work. Going above and beyond will show your manager that you have what it takes to step into a higher position.
- Keep track of your achievements – Coming off the last point, you’ll want to keep a record of all your great work. This will make it a lot easier when it comes time to present your promotion case. Be specific about the impact you’ve made on the team and include numbers where possible.
- Seek leadership opportunities – To show that you’re ready for managerial responsibilities, you’ll want to take up opportunities to practice these skills. Some ideas include becoming a mentor to a junior employee, leading projects in your team or being involved in a committee. You could ask your manager for guidance on how to lead others.
- Connect with your network – Getting advice from others is a great way to learn and follow in their footsteps. Consider getting a mentor or reaching out to your colleagues who have been promoted. Ask them for advice on how to get a promotion and what steps they took. They may have some tips for you that you hadn’t thought of!
How long does it take to get a promotion?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how to get a promotion at work fast. Although many people stay in a role for one to three years, your promotion timeline will depend on many individual factors. These include whether a position opens up in your company, your seniority and company resources. It can help to ask your manager or trusted colleagues about typical promotion processes and timelines at your company.
If you’d like to further your own learning journey, feel free to reach out to one of our friendly Course Consultants on 1300 069 765 or contact us here.
