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If you’re getting itchy feet, you might feel that you need to look outside your company for a promotion but with all the experience you’ve built up in your current role, a promotion might be closer to home than you think. Here are some top tips for successfully taking a step up the ladder without leaving your job.

ASK!

Sounds simple but so often people sit and wait to be offered a promotion. Sometimes it’s out of expectation and other times out of fear. Either way, if it is something that you want then it’s time to get proactive about it. Start by asking your manager for a 1-1 to talk about your development and discuss what future opportunities might be available. This will ensure that you’re both on the same page.

UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WANT THE PROMOTION

Whatever promotion you’re after, it’s really important to get clear on what it is you’re looking for. A complete change in role could take a little while to secure whereas negotiating a salary increase, changing your title or widening your role remit may be an easier way to actually provide you with the satisfaction you’re after. Getting clear on what’s important for you in the promotion will also ensure that you don’t make any hasty moves for the wrong reasons.

GO BEYOND IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE

Taking the initiative and going above and beyond in your current role will signal to your boss that you’re looking to develop. Volunteering for additional projects or being proactive in seeking out new opportunities or challenges will demonstrate that you are ready for more responsibility and so put you as a front-runner when opportunities do become available. This will also help reduce the risk of you feeling stagnant whilst you wait for opportunities to arise.

 GET YOURSELF A MENTOR

Building a relationship with someone more experienced than you is a great way to help land a promotion. A mentor can act as sounding board to explore potential opportunities and to discuss how you may want to move forward in your career. Plus their wealth of experience allows you to benefit from their learning (without having to make the mistakes yourself) and will help fast-track your path to promotion.

ACT AS THOUGH YOU’RE ALREADY IN THE JOB

This isn’t about calling all the shots or acting like you own the place but try imagine that you already have the promotion -how would your behaviour be different or what skills/ experience would you have? Acting “as if” or modelling someone already in the role will not only help you to prepare for possible promotion by filling any knowledge or experience gaps but it will help you to start creating a future reality. After all, it’s your thoughts that create the world around you.

Hope you get that promotion you’re after!

Hayley Wintermantle

Hayley Wintermantle

Hayley is an international coach and career catalyst encouraging women who feel unfulfilled in their career to explore more of who they really are and what truly lights them up, so they can carve their own path. Blending her passion for work and travel, she can be found delivering workshops and soaking up new cultures all over the world .

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