We all have different motivations for everything, including wanting a promotion.
You may want a promotion to receive recognition for doing the hard yards, you could be so efficient at your current job you are no longer find it fulfilling are just two reasons , but probably the most common one is wanting or needing an increase in salary.
Before you can even consider what to do to get a promotion, you need to establish what type of business or organisation you are working for and if there Is there scope for promotion.
Sometimes, particularly in small business, roles may be filled by the same person year after year sometimes until they retire, or the business may be just be too small to offer you that next rung up the career ladder. Surprisingly, there are larger workplaces that do not offer an environment where employees can progress at all as well.
If you feel you are in a workplace which supports career progression, here are some tips to help you help you get promoted:
- Concentrate on your current role and deliver more than your KPIs and over and above expectations.
- Make sure the promotion decision makers are aware of your achievements. Keep in close communication with your supervisor so they have the opportunity to notice without you singing your own praises.
- Don't be afraid to tell your supervisor about your career goals. You can’t expect them to know this for every employee without a discussion.
- Become a problem solver. If things go wrong, before you go to the boss to announce the problem, if appropriate fix it first and then tell them. At least take both the problem and possible solution to the boss.
- Don’t get involved in office drama. Your boss will notice and note this when considering your promotion. In particular, don’t trash the company or the managers.
- Show initiative, this adds to tip 1 – going over and above what’s expected.
- In office environments they say ‘Dress for Success’ and the advice is to dress like the job you want, not the job you are doing. This may not be relevant for many agricultural roles, but you should take this one step further. You may wish to copy and adopt the workplace behaviours of a good supervisor.
- Don’t be a clock watcher. Senior staff are more likely to put in the extra time and it will be noticed if you are out the door at the exact minute at knock off time.
- Become indispensable and ensure your superior knows you are available to relieve in other roles should a colleague go on leave or be sick.
- Make sure you are sociable. You won’t be considered for a promotion if you do not get along with other employees. This means attend the work social functions, but don’t stand around chatting at work all day.
If you have tried everything or now recognise your workplace isn’t conducive to employees progressing, learn everything you can use the experience to get a promotion elsewhere. You can find many fantastic roles in Agriculture on Agcareers.com
Sonya Buck
April 25, 2016
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