Looking for a promotion? Three Tips to Help You Advance

When a job opens up in a company, employers have many reasons for wanting to hire internally. Internal candidates are already familiar with the organizational structure and the company culture; they don’t require extensive orientation. More information is also available about an employee’s past work history, so employers don’t need to guess about work quality. Simply put, internal hires require less time and training.

This is good news for employees looking to advance within a company. While a high quality of work is essential in order to be considered for a promotion, the following are actions an employee can take to help get himself noticed and considered for internal advancement.

Communicate your Goals

If it is a job promotion you are looking for, advocate for yourself. This begins with learning all you can about the company and the various roles people play and then determining your personal goals based on your skillset. If a job exists that requires skills that you do not have, consider trying to work on a project that might allow you to learn these skills. Talk to co-workers in the positions in which you are interested in order to understand what the job entails. Finding a mentor isn’t a bad idea either. Most importantly, be sure to communicate your goals to your supervisor. When you do, ask what you can do to be ready for such a job when it opens up.

Keep the Attitude Positive

A wise woman once said: “Attitude is everything.” It shows up in lots of little ways on a jobsite, and while everyone has a bad day, the pattern of a person’s words and actions reveal his attitude. Do you show up on time for work? Do you spend a lot of time contributing to company gossip? When you make a mistake do you own it? Do you bring positive energy into the workplace? When you have a complaint, do you communicate it in a constructive way? What does your body language say when you are speaking to your co-workers? When hiring, employers seek workers who get along with others and help create a positive workplace.

Take the Initiative

“Putting in your time” doesn’t make you the best candidate for a job promotion. Being proactive about making improvements might. This could include volunteering for tasks that need to be done rather than waiting for them to be assigned or finding solutions to problems rather than waiting for someone else to do it. Taking initiative shows that you care about your workplace – it is not just a place you clock in and out of each day.