So you want a promotion?

It has its benefits and its pitfalls. This article will look at some of these along with the methods you can use to successfully get that promotion.

Deciding what you want to do
There's no sense in going for a promotion just for the hell of it. It will mean a lot more responsibility and doesn't necessarily come with added financial benefits.

In order to successfully get a promotion you must have a good idea of what you want to achieve. This will be your main selling point when pitching to your boss (after all they aren't going to promote you into a role you will be unhappy in).

When you have decided what you want to do, put it into a context that can fit into the culture and aims of your employers business. There is no point deciding that you want to be a rocket scientist when you work for a bakery. Again, your boss won't promote you if your ultimate career goal is out with the scopes of their business. After this all that remains is to prepare your pitch!

Selling yourself
When you finally pitch your boss, you need to know what to say. You have already worked how your career aims can fit into the company, so firstly work out a list of skills that you can offer your new role and relate them to how they would fill a gap and benefit the company. Your boss knows the score and if you can justify a new position then the chances of it happening are far greater (especially if it reflects well on his department or division!).

Next you have to review your own work performance. Is their anything you can do to improve your performance in your current job? Have you been going that extra mile to get things done or doing more than what is asked for you? Your boss is not going to promote an employee who drifts through their job all day. If you have been doing overtime, putting in extra effort, offer suggestions or help out in another way that isn't required of you, then you stand a much better chance.

When preparing your personal selling points, you not only want to highlight the skills you use in your current job, but also highlight your untapped skills. Your employer is much more likely to promote you if he or she thinks that they will get more value out of you.

Tips for pitching to your boss
When you pitch to your boss, try to do it in a time when he or she is not stressed or too busy. This may be the biggest task you face. A good time to do this would be at a performance appraisal, if there is one. Or if you happen to know your boss in a social circle (lunchtime, pub after work, etc) then mention it informally.

Explain that you have been with the company for x amount of time and ask if he or she has been has been happy with your work. Go on to say that you would like to move on to a more challenging role as you feel your skills are put to better use. Highlight all your selling points and relate them to how they can benefit the company.

Now, at this point you should have found out if there are any suitable positions advertised in the company. If so, ask your boss to recommend you for that position.

If not, then you have to speculate.
First, make sure there's a budget for your promotion. If the company can accommodate your new position (and hopefully salary!) and also find someone for your current role, then you have a better chance.

If not, then try to get more responsibility in your current role. At the very least it may mean a better job title and more experience, which is always good for your CV. This is more applicable to smaller companies, but it does mean you are more likely to have a larger share of the responsibility. And you never know. Your new tasks could ultimately justify having that position on a full time basis.

For example, if the company doesn't have a website, or contract their site maintenance out, then offer to maintain it if that's the route you want to go. It may save the company money and will help to prove your skills. In the long run, your efforts may show the benefits of doing this in-house and the company may decide to hire you fulltime to do it. At the very least it's good experience and shows initiative.

Further tips
If at first you don't succeed…..etc.

Your boss may say no. You have to be realistic. There may not be a budget for what you want to do, or you may not have been with the company long enough. At the very least, you should be able to get small bits and pieces of extra work to do (which seems like a bad thing, I know). But it will serve to prove your skills and determination, so persevere with it.

Even if you are told no, you can still work hard at the job you are in and impress your boss. Offer suggestions and show your eagerness to progress within the company - it will be remembered. And it doesn't hurt to drop subtle hints from time to time (but don't over do it!).