How To Get Promoted Developing a Promotion Plan - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How To Get Promoted Developing a Promotion Plan - Introvert Whisperer How To Get Promoted: Developing a Promotion Plan No matter if you’re introverted, extroverted, in an entry-level position looking to move up, or an executive hoping to make that next big move in the company, there are a number of basic pillars to landing a promotion. Many employers are realizing that it’s in their best interest to focus on retention so that changing jobs isn’t the fastest way employees can get a promotion, and it’s also in your best interest to make sure you’re able to capitalize on an opportunity to make a move. However, don’t make the mistake of assuming a promotion is simply going to be handed to you because of your performance. This is especially true for us introverts, who would likely prefer our work speak for us. The reality is, getting promoted is about much more than doing an excellent job. A strong work ethic is critical, of course, but the key to moving up is having an actual plan in place. Here are nine steps to help you develop a personal promotion plan. 1. Take On a Professional Persona In order to be perceived as a professional and garner the respect necessary to earn a promotion, you must build a reputation for and actually be those things: professional, respectful, and reliable. As it turns out, dressing for the job you want is actually sage advice. This should be step one, because how you present yourself to others around you will determine everything â€" from the impressions you make to the respect you’ll receive. And in a culture where dressing casual at work has become ubiquitous, looking professional will help you stand out that much more. It’s also been found to be near-scientific fact that how you look influences perceived professionalism. Appearing professional includes everything from your wardrobe to how you wear your hair to your body language. For women, there is a large confidence gap to address, and we can start with something as seemingly simple as our posture. An Ohio State University study showed that maintaining a  poor posture for 30 minutes significantly increases stress levels, depression, and fear, while holding yourself more upright increases confidence and lowers stress levels. Invest in a good posture wearable that will help train your body to maintain proper positioning throughout the day. Men, on the other hand, may overlook small details like the power of a good shave. But there is actually a small correlation between success and a clean shave, or at least well-groomed facial hair. Choose a quality line of shaving products to avoid merely replacing your facial hair with visible irritation and ingrowns caused by cheap blades and irritating ingredients. 2. Find a Mentor According to a 2016 Deloitte survey, millennials who plan to stay with their employer for more than five years are twice as likely to have a mentor than not, and 81% of those employees recorded being satisfied with their mentor. It’s also been found that 80% of workplace learning takes place between mentors and mentees. If your company doesn’t have a mentorship program in place, there are a few tips to finding a mentor for yourself. Make it a goal to build relationships with those higher up than you and who work in different areas across the company. Those who have seniority in different departments can offer a unique perspective on how things work, and can also provide you with insight into different opportunities you may not have considered for yourself before. 3. Create a Strong Relationship With Your Boss Your boss is usually the one person who can make or break your chances of getting a promotion. If you consistently do a great job, you might be lucky enough to have a supervisor who regularly tries to get you recognized. Regardless, it’s critical to establish a well-oiled working relationship with them. You may not ever get to a place where you feel completely comfortable having important one-on-one conversations with your boss, but make sure you’re able to have an open dialogue about your desire for growth and opportunity, and that they’re aware of the good work you do. Ask your boss questions including: What am I doing well? What should I improve on to overcome roadblocks in my path to career growth? What do you envision my growth path looking like? What has your own path to success been like? 4. Build a Strong Network We often think about networking as something we do externally, outside of our place of work. However, internal networking within your own company is essential for creating more opportunities for yourself. The more people who know your strengths, skills, and capabilities firsthand, the more your value to the organization will become known. Internal networking is easier said than done, especially for introverts. Start by offering to help those on your team on things you think your skills would be useful for, and stalk and ask to attend meetings your boss is involved in if appropriate. There are many small ways to help you start getting seen, and it doesn’t need to include highly social events like the happy hour if that’s not your thing. 5. Track Your Past Performance Do yourself a favor and start keeping a log of all your personal achievements, big and small. No matter what it is, if it’s something you worked on and it led to some kind of success, it’s worth noting and keeping track of, or developing a portfolio of work for. A large part of getting promoted is proving you deserve it, and you’ll make doing that so much easier on yourself if you keep track of your performance along the way. 6. Seek Out Learning Opportunities Promotion is contingent on your ability (and desire) to grow. Hunt for more knowledge and new skills, which will equate to more opportunities to contribute to the success of the company. Start by staying up to date on all news and trending topics within your industry, and in industries that are tangentially related. You might also seek out learning and skill development opportunities on an online course platform, which are becoming increasingly popular. You could also see if your company would be willing to reimburse the cost, depending on the content and how you plan to use it for the good of the organization. 7. Take On More Responsibilities Similar to asking to be involved in various important meetings, you should also plan out when it makes sense for you to open yourself up to more responsibilities. When you feel you’re in a groove or maybe feeling unchallenged, first take the initiative and complete a task that usually falls on someone else’s plate (like your boss) without them asking. If you feel like that may come off too forward, simply ask if there’s anything you can take care of and let them know that you’re eager to get more involved. Asking to take on more responsibility shows your commitment to your team and to the company’s success. 8. Be a Team Player While seeking a promotion feels like a self-centric endeavor, it’s also very much about how well you work with a team. Being able to strike a balance between working autonomously and with your department when necessary will go a long way. In the end, your team’s success is your success and vice versa, and being a team player will earn you the respect of your peers and the leaders of the company. 9. Create Your Own Opportunity In many cases, moving up may come down to creating a place to move to. If you notice a consistent problem somewhere in the company, work towards identifying a solution for it. Show a level of motivation and resourcefulness by developing a plan of attack on how to fix the problem, and make it clear the role you feel you can play in the execution of that plan. If you’ve been working hard, getting noticed for your hard work, and have vied for a promotion to no avail for some time, it may mean you need to consider opportunities elsewhere, depending on your specific situation and career goals. Just remember that, when deserving, it’s not selfish to want or go after a promotion. Author Bio: The Harry’s team believes it’s their duty to try to do give back to the community. They are dedicated to supporting organizations who help people get ready for their next big career step. Go to top Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer