Movin’ on up: Eight Ways to Earn That Promotion

(Part I of II)

Back in the day, Ward Cleaver got hired to a position that promised job security and frequent promotion on his chosen career path. Times have changed, and these days if you want a promotion, you need to chase it down yourself. Here are eight ways to achieve career advancement:

1. Determine your career goals

It’s hard to get what you want when you’re not even sure what it is. Sit down and figure out where you want to be in 5 to 10 years. Once you state your career goals, it becomes easier to see what it will take to achieve them.

2. Go the extra mile

Come to work 15 minutes early, and stay 15 minutes late. This shows your boss that you’re more interested in doing your work than you are in watching the clock. And do more than what is expected of you. Ask for more responsibility, volunteer for different duties and tasks, and be a visible team player.

3.Be proactive

Create your own opportunities by seeing what needs to be done and doing it yourself.

4. Network

Networking not only helps you to get the job, but it can also help you trade that job in for a better one. Get to know more people within your organization and, when possible, help others achieve their goals. This increases your value to coworkers and superiors who will be more likely to sing your praises when given the chance.

5. Document your achievements

Track your achievements, measuring results when possible. While it helps to say that your proposal saved the company a lot of money, it means more to your boss when you explain how your proposal reduced production costs by 30%; numbers always speak louder than words alone.

6. Communicate

At first it may feel awkward to sing your own praises, but unless your boss knows how valuable you are, it’s difficult for him/her to give you the promotion you deserve. You need to share your achievements with your boss, maybe in a monthly email that states your progress on certain projects and lists your recent achievements. It’s also a good idea to tell your boss you’re interested in a promotion. Who better to help you achieve your career goals?

7. Act professionally

Imagine where you’d like to be in five or ten years and then dress the part, speak the part, and act the part. Avoid complaining, take responsibility for mistakes, and be a team player.

8. Increase your skills and expertise

Nothing shows your willingness to advance like increasing your skills and expertise. Often employers will pay for programs designed to help employees learn new skills or stay current in their field. Seek out chances to expand your skill-set, and be sure to share your new knowledge and abilities with your boss.

If you want to increase your accounting skills and earn a professional designation, Universal Accounting Center has the program for you. UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper Program will teach you the day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping needs of small business, enabling you to become a Professional Bookkeeper (PB). The Professional Bookkeeper Program teaches you the skills that you need to skip over the entry level positions and get right to those job opportunities that might take someone with a traditional accounting training years. Your employer may be willing to pay for your tuition. Enroll in the PB Program today!

If this article appealed to you, be sure to read our next newsletter article, “Movin’ on up: How to Ask for That Promotion (Part II of II).”