10 Tips on How to Get Promoted in a Recession
If you’ve held onto your job through the recession, now may be the time to ask your manager for a promotion assuming, of course, that you can prove you deserve one. Companies are thinly staffed right now and they need to keep their key people so that give you more bargaining power than you had before. Here are our top ten tips on how to get that promotion in tough times.
1. Save and bring in the money -In a recession the bottom line is more important than ever. People who bring in or save pounds will stay and even get more responsibility. Take one hour out of every week and brainstorm ideas for new income streams. When you have a good one, implement it and work hard to grow it.
2. Improve processes – Be proactive. Look to improve processes and fill gaps in the work environment. What areas could stand improvement? Is there a need for a plan, manual or a reduction in business expenses? Fill the gaps you see by drafting a proposal. It’s an excellent way to be creative and proactive and to stand out as management material. Schedule a meeting with your manager and offer your ideas.
3. Become indispensable – Make yourself indispensable in a recession and you will survive long enough that your experience. Be the expert on something. If you can’t be the expert, be the glue. Some people are kept around simply because everything goes better with them around. There are less conflicts and people find you to solve problems.
4. Do your job well and more – You need to excel in your current role. Sometimes this means coming in early and staying late. It may mean doing what is asked to the best of your ability, then doing more. Volunteering to help out other departments or asking for more responsibilities increases your value. Temporary projects can be a great way to broaden your skills and network with people from other areas of the company. Also be present at company events and network. When these things are done with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, it creates separation from the crowd and can lead to that promotion you’ve been working towards.
5. Work from the next level up – If you want to get promoted, start doing some of the work at the next level up now. For example if you are a marketing executive now, do some work that is only expected of an marketing manager. This allows you to demonstrate that you are capable of that position already. One of the best ways to be promoted is if a senior manager in another department wants you. But this can only happen if they are aware of you. So you have to find ways to get in front of other people, particularly senior people, in a way that displays your good qualities and makes you memorable.
6. Get a mentor – A strong relationship with a manager or someone higher up in your department can open a lot of doors for you. You’ll learn a lot about the company and about the jobs you might want to get in the future. You’ll also have an ally who will be willing recommend you when you do decide to apply for a new opportunity. Your mentor may groom you to succeed him/her when they move up or retire.
7. Showcase your value – You can make a much better case for a promotion by showing your boss detailed information about your past successes. Keep a record of everything you do that enhances the company’s bottom line, that puts the company or your department in a good light, that is creative and innovative and that shows your loyalty and commitment to the company.
8. Be a team player – Work well with people. Many people who are technically proficient and excellent at their job do not get promoted because they lack people skills. Ask for feedback and try to build a reputation as someone who is always positive and good to be around. Be the first to volunteer for any social tasks like organising the Christmas party.
9. Time it right – You want to talk to your boss after you’ve done something that’s really made an impact. A good time to have the talk is after you’ve finished a project or results have come in that make your value to the company clear. At many companies, management meets to make promotion decisions once or twice a year: Talk with your manager ahead of those meetings.
10. Acquire new knowledge and skills – Aim to do one career building task every week. A task can be furthering your skills, increasing your professional network, learning more about your industry, going on training courses or talking to someone else about your future possibilities.
Finally if you cannot move up then consider move across into a different area of the business so that you can learn new skills and make new contacts.
Nikki is the founder of CV writing and interview coaching company My CV and Me.
Author: Nikki R N
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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