If you are looking for more responsibility, greater challenges or increased pay, then you are probably in the market for a nice promotion. A sweet promotion will not simply fall into your lap; you will have to take steps to make yourself more appealing to upper management. Here are some steps you should take when you are ready to change your job description into one that pays better and is more satisfying.
Invest in Yourself with Education
The Census Bureau reports that people with master’s degrees earn 15 percent more than their peers with only a bachelor’s degree. While those financial numbers are a solid reason to get your master’s degree, there are other reasons you should pursue higher education levels.
When you take the time to return to school and further your education, you are showing your supervisors that you are willing to invest in yourself. Managers love seeing initiative, and going to school shows that you are always looking to improve and learn more. These are qualities that companies want in their next generation of leaders, and they will take notice of you when you make the investment in yourself.
A Solid Work Ethic and Attitude
Good leaders pay attention to their team. They notice if you come in early and leave late, but they also notice how productive you are in the hours in between. They know if you take pride in your work, and they care about your attitude towards the job at hand.
You can be everything the managers are looking for by focusing on a few key areas. While you’re at work, be the best you can at your job. Strive for efficiency, ignore distractions and make sure that you are putting as much effort as possible into your job.
Perhaps more importantly, you should watch the attitude at work. You aren’t expected to be bubbly and bright, but you should still be positive and willing to work hard. It’s a proven fact that your co-workers and supervisors will be appreciative of a positive attitude and a willingness to put 100 percent into your assignments.
Author Remez Sasson shares that a positive attitude is vital to dealing with life and moving forward. When you can stay positive, you will focus more on constructive thinking and habits. You are more likely to work towards your goals without giving up, and you will expect success. These are all habits that managers notice, and that can help you get the promotion.
It’s All About Teamwork
Your managers cannot lead the company forward by themselves, and you cannot carry the workload of everyone around you. Over the years, companies have emphasized the need for teamwork because it is what helps make them successful. If you struggle in team situations, then you might want to focus more on communication skills and developing positive working relationships. With courses in human resources and communications, you can improve these areas even while working towards your master’s degree.
You can also show your team spirit by volunteering to work on extra tasks. Managers notice when you’re willing to do extra work, and that can give you an important edge when an opportunity for promotion presents itself. Author Joel Garfinkle shares that people are more likely to advance when they are better visibility and influence than their peers, and you can gain this by volunteering to help out more often.
Whether you want a promotion for the pay bump or the prestige, there are steps you can take to make yourself more promotable. Supervisors are looking for people with initiative, and you can show that you have this by furthering your education and volunteering to help more often. With a great attitude and team spirit, you can easily make yourself the best candidate for the next promotion opportunity.
– Michelle Poland is a full-time writer for higher ed blogs. Several schools offer MBA degrees, including executivemba.howard.edu and www.georgetown.edu.
