How to Get a Promotion or Increase in 12 Steps

You've got plans. Plans to succeed. Plans to increase your influence at the office. Plans to take home more bacon. The question is: How do you align these plans with how the company views your contributions to its success? In other words, how can you make sure management agrees you deserve a promotion or increase?

There's more to advancing your career than being qualified and working hard. Here are 12 steps you can take right now to improve your chances of getting a promotion or increase.

1. Determine if there is room for growth at your company

Each business has its own internal structure and promotion process. If you're part of a small-to-medium enterprise, you may find there are few opportunities for promotion, while at a larger company, you may see a clear pathway to the top. Understanding how roles are viewed and filled where you work is the first step to making your plans for an increase or a promotion a reality.

2. Talk to management about your intention directly

Meet with the person responsible for promotions in the company. Bring your current projects, successes, achievements, and goals to the meeting. The point of this meeting isn't to get a promotion right then. Rather, ask your senior management to assess what you're currently busy with and how you can improve or what more you can do in order to get a promotion. This will give you clear direction with your work to help guide you to the promotion or increase you desire.

3. Increase the visibility of your hard work and successes

Whenever you achieve success with a project, run a successful client meeting, or simply put in extra work, make sure your efforts are visible. Decision-makers at your company should be aware of how good you are at what you do. There's no need to be too showy about it; just make sure your hard work isn't going unnoticed.

4. Develop and show off your leadership abilities

Some are born to lead, but others must work at it. If leadership isn't an easy or natural quality for you, you may need to invest time and effort into developing your leadership abilities. Demonstrating such qualities at the office can go a long way towards helping you get an increase or promotion.

5. Be efficient and meet your deadlines

Every company is looking for employees that will get the work done quicker and better. If you can demonstrate you aren't wasting time, are optimising your workflow for efficiency, and are meeting your deadlines, it will put a sparkle in your manager's eye – a twinkle that might just turn into an increase or promotion.

6. Have an awesome attitude

Any workforce, office, or organisation can benefit from employees who exude positive vibes and lift the mood. If you have a positive outlook, and you're able to motivate people around you, these qualities can lead management to take notice of you.

7. Be open to constructive feedback

When your manager presents criticisms of your work, don't take it personally. Instead, listen to their guidance and make the changes. In fact, you could go further and apply the principles they are trying to convey in your future work too. Often, criticism can be your greatest tool for success.

As leadership expert and speaker, John Maxwell, often points out, there is no success without some measure of failure. If you change the way you view failures and constructive criticisms, these can become the stepping stones to your future success.

8. Dress and act the part

Your conduct at your workplace should be professional, appropriate, and respectful. The same goes for your clothing. What you wear conveys an image to your management team. What do you want to say with your image? How you dress can be a powerful tool to present a sense of responsibility, aptitude, and professionalism, increasing your chances for a promotion or increase.

9. Apply emotional intelligence

This means understanding the dynamics of your team or co-workers, correctly interpreting their emotional states, and responding in a wise and calm manner when the pressure is on. This includes being a good listener, being empathic to those around you, and considerate in your words and actions. Everyone wants the nice guy to win.

10. Think team

Being a team player is a key characteristic of a good employee and leader. You don't need to do it all yourself. Include your team in your plans and consider them in your goals. Don't only look to advance your own career. You should want to advance your co-workers' positions, your team, and the company. Selfish ambition can lead to your co-workers and management disliking you or demoting you if you push too hard and don't consider others.

11. Keep track of your successes

When the time comes for your performance review, you need to quantifiably present your contribution to the success of your company. Include actual data, emails that contain praise for a job well done, and relevant highlights in your work. This information can show management your hard work and dedication and that you've earned that raise or promotion.

12. Increase your skill set

Sometimes positions are limited, and in order to get promoted you may need skills you don't currently have. Learning has become easy, thanks to the internet and a large number of independent educators. You can complete a course or study online to increase your skill set and improve your career – increasing your skill set improves your opportunities. It's never too late to learn something new!

Now that you have these new tools at your disposal, you can use them along with others to help build your confidence and finally approach your boss for an increase. If you are still not confident enough, you can always add a few more certifications to your name.

Prices quoted are correct at the time of publishing this article. The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.