HOW TO GET PROMOTED AT WORK

* Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links, meaning i get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Want to know how to get promoted at work? This can seem confusing, especially if you’ve have been in your role for a while and are great at our job. Women are still often passed over for promotions at work, even when they are equally or more qualified than their male counterparts. Gender bias and discrimination obviously play a part in that. But there are many things we as women can do to overcome those biases and achieve the workplace success we deserve.

3 Women talking about how to get promoted at work

New here? Welcome! I’m Toni and I’m here to help you get your dream job – with the salary, title, fulfillment, appreciation and balance you deserve.

I also have the following blog posts to help you crush your job search and build your career:

Here are 15 tips for corporate professional women looking to increase their chances of being promoted:

15 Tips to Get Promoted at Work

1. Find a Mentor:

One of the best ways to learn how to advance in your career is to find someone who can help guide and advise you. A mentor can be a senior colleague, a manager, or even an external professional contact. Having someone to bounce ideas off of and who can offer advice and support can be invaluable as you strive to move up the corporate ladder.

2. Enhance your Value as an Employee

As well as retaining skilled employees, companies want to promote them into positions where they can best use their skills. A small amount can make a big difference in your company's value.

hurdle in your career to get promoted at work

The first step is to understand the demands of your position. Understand what people expect from you and meet those expectations so that you can become more valuable to them.

Additionally, you can enhance your skill set by broadening your knowledge. Sign up for seminars and workshops offered by many companies. Learning new skills or gaining certification can be done in your own time away from work by enrolling in courses online (Shue, K. (2021). Women Aren’t Promoted Because Managers Underestimate Their Potential. From Yale Insights).

3. To Get Promoted at Work, Make Your Goals Known

It’s important that your boss knows what your career goals are. They can’t promote you if they don’t know that you’re interested in moving up. So, make sure to have regular conversations with your boss about your goals and objectives.

4. Become an Expert in Your Field

If you want to get promoted at work, you need to show that you’re an expert in your field. One way to do this is to stay up-to-date on industry news and developments. Position yourself as an expert by writing articles or giving speeches on topics related to your area of expertise. You can also follow influencers and thought leaders on social media to get insights into the latest trends.

5. To Get Promoted at Work, Be a Leader and a Team Player

If you want to be promoted, you need to show that you’re a leader. One way to do this is to take on additional responsibilities at work. You can also volunteer for special projects or committees. And don’t forget to speak up in meetings! Also, offer help and assistance to your colleagues, and look for opportunities to collaborate on projects.

Here is what this can look like:

Pay attention and be aware of the people you work with and their individual strengths and weaknesses. It also means understanding the various problems your team or company is facing, both internally and externally. Only then can you start to think about how you can become a problem solver.
Make it easy for your boss and colleagues to get information from you by communicating with them. When a task is completed or a project is delayed, let your people know early and often. There is nothing corporate professionals love more than status updates on everything!
Find ways to improve undervalued areas in your work. It will be noticeable when you save your team or company time and money by improving and making things more efficient.

6. The Most Proactive People Win

A person who thinks outside the box will get promoted at work. That person does things differently, and not just because that's the way they've always ben done. When it comes to your career, you will benefit from being able to think one step ahead of everyone else.

7. To Get Your Promoted at Work, Build Key Relationships

In any profession, relationships are key. But in the corporate world, they can be especially important in helping you advance in your career. Building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and sponsors in your industry can help open doors and create opportunities for career growth.

8. Building a Personal Brand:

In today’s business world, it’s not enough to simply do your job well. You also need to make sure you are promoting yourself and your personal brand. This means using social media, attending industry events, and networking to get your name out there. By establishing yourself as a thought leader in your field, you will be more likely to catch the attention of those who can help further your career.

9. To Get Promoted at Work, Fill Your Knowledge Gap

If you want to get promoted at work, it’s important to continuously learn and grow in your role. This means keeping up with industry trends and developments and expanding your knowledge base. One way to do this is by taking advantage of online resources such as LinkedIn Learning and Coursera, attending conferences, or even going back to school for an advanced degree.

10. Ask your Sponsor to Guide You

Sometimes, we assume people know what we want out of our career and that we know how to get it, but for many of us, that isn't the case. They’re not going to think of you for key opportunities that come up unless they know you’re seeking to grow and be considered for those options.

I'm aware of several instances where women have been passed over for promotion, only to finally ask for an explanation and be told "I didn't know you wanted to move up" or "We thought you were happy where you were." Working hard is not enough. Letting the RIGHT people know your career aspirations is crucial.

11. Look For Opportunities Outside Of Your Day-To-Day

Don’t just focus on the tasks in front of you. Consider how what you’re doing today will position you for tomorrow and be intentional with your career growth. Consider volunteering for key opportunities for growth, both inside and outside of your organization.

12. To Get Promoted at Work, Leverage Your Network

Your network is one of your most valuable assets when it comes to furthering your career. Lean on the relationships you’ve built to open doors and get introduced to new opportunities that your company has to offer. When you’re ready to make a move to the next level, reach out to your network and let them know what you’re looking for. You never know who might have a connection that could help you get to the next level.

13. Encourage Feedback

Most people are a little hesitant to give feedback, but in order to get ahead in your career, you must be open to it—both the good and the bad. After all, feedback is critical to improvement. If your boss or another superior notices that you are constantly asking for feedback and taking it to heart, they will be more likely to view you as a leader in the making.

14. Be a Self-Motivator

No one is going to hold your hand and tell you when it’s time to get to work. If you want to be successful, you have to be a self-starter who is always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the workplace. When your boss sees that you are constantly motivated, they will be more likely to give you the opportunities you need to prove that you are ready to get promoted at work.

15. To Get Promoted at Work, Be Confident

Easier said than done at times, but in order to get ahead, you need to have faith in your abilities. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. When you walk into a room, make sure you carry yourself with confidence. Speak up when you have something valuable to say, and don’t be afraid to share your ideas with others. If you show that you are confident and capable, you will be more likely to get the promotion you deserve.

What Resources can You Use for Your Learning and Skills Development?

If you're looking to learn a new skill or brush up on your existing skills, LinkedIn Learning and Coursera are both great online resources. Both platforms offer a variety of courses taught by experts in their respective fields, so you can be sure you're learning the latest and greatest information.

Additionally, your company may have an internal training program that you can take advantage of. If you're not sure, ask your manager or HR department about what resources are available to help you develop professionally.

Conclusion

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and ask for what you want!

You can talk to your mentors and be prepared with a list of your accomplishments, what you feel you have contributed to the company, and what your future goals are. By being clear and concise about why you deserve a promotion, you increase your chances of actually receiving one.

Promotions are not easy to come by, but if you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to success in the corporate world. Just remember to be patient, stay focused on your goals, and never stop learning. With time and hard work, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Which of these tips do you plan to implement first? Share in the comments below.

How to Get Promoted at Work