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Last Updated on September 25, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Understand structure: Learn your organization’s organogram to set realistic promotion goals and identify whether to pursue internal or external opportunities.
- Show positivity: A professional image, a positive attitude, and a happy workplace boost productivity and improve your chances of being considered for advancement.
- Communicate goals: Share your career aspirations with key people who can provide advice, recommend courses, or guide you toward certification opportunities.
- Be proactive: Offer help to decision-makers, show up consistently, and build strong relationships that highlight your
leadership and teamwork abilities. - Exceed expectations: Consistently over-deliver, seek feedback, and demonstrate readiness for added responsibility through performance and extended effort.
Everyone within an organization wants to get promoted, which makes the competition stiff and unpredictable.
Hard work and punctuality are basic criteria that could qualify you for promotion, but are never a determining factor. To put it in a better context, they are most likely to only keep you from being fired.
To advance in your career within a company, you need to take charge to make it happen.
Here are some principles that have worked for many people:
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1. Understand your organization’s organogram
Generally, a promotion may be within a
External level promotions or traditional role changes will require you to change your title completely, such as transitioning from being the company’s sales manager to a product manager.
When you understand your organization’s organogram, it will help in setting a clear goal on the kind of promotion to aspire.
2. Develop a positive attitude and image
Maintaining a good character and a positive image within the company is crucial. A lack of it could hinder top management executives from choosing you, even when you have all the qualifications and
That is why most organizations watch out for positive attitudes in prospective employees before
“Candidates must be
To validate their reasoning, a research report published by the University of Oxford reveals that people are at least 13% more productive at work when they are happy.
The result noted that the improvement is independent of the number of hours worked.
Since you need to be more productive to gain promotion, happiness at your work is essential. If you can’t find happiness at your job again, maybe it’s time to consider changing your career or company.
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3. Let people know about your plan
Understandably, this might make you uncomfortable. The general belief is that when you are after something, you keep it to yourself to reduce competition.
To hasten your career, bring it up when chatting with key people in the organization. They are likely to offer you advice on how you could stand a better chance.
This might include recommending you take specific courses or get a particular certification to be considered for the role. Sometimes, they might divulge the details and weaknesses of any other person eyeing the same role. Then you can strategize on how to gain leverage.
4. Show up even when not needed
When identifying decision-makers for your promotion, discuss their challenges and goals with them, and then offer to help whenever you see an opportunity.
Doing this will help you build a stronger relationship with them and also develop key
Call it office politics, or whatever name you prefer, the truth is, if you show up for others, they are likely to do the same for you. Even when they don’t, there might be someone watching (probably a superior) who would like you on their
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5. Ask for an evaluation
Every quarter, walk up to your superior (or manager) to ask key questions related to your chances of promotion.
- What are my chances of getting promoted right now?
- What skill gaps do I need to fill to be better qualified for promotion?
- What results do you expect to see to be convinced that I am worthy of promotion?
- What kinds of projects can I join or start to improve my chances?
- Are you working on any project I can help with to improve my
skills ?
6. Deliver beyond the required quota
Aspiring for a promotion means you are ready to take on more responsibility, which is likely to be tougher than the one you have at present.
To show your readiness, over-deliver on any task you are given. Go above the required quota by over 20% and consistently.
Help your colleagues solve problems as needed to showcase your leadership skills.
You will need the support of your colleagues, managers, and senior leadership to get the promotion you desire.
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7. Arrive early and leave late
This is one of the most effective ways to gain the attention of decision-makers within your company. Be punctual to work and stay back to complete any unfinished work.
Promotion and
One tip you can leverage here is arriving an hour earlier than others and leaving an hour later after work. This gives you an hour’s edge over everyone else and thus increases
A survey by NFI Research reveals that 77 percent of senior executives and managers worked between 41 and 60 hours a week, while 52 percent of the survey participants worked at least 51 hours a week.
It’s simple: if you want to be like them, start acting like them.
Next Steps
- Clarify Goals: Write down specific career objectives and timelines to measure progress and keep your focus on clear, achievable milestones.
- Seek Feedback: Schedule regular check-ins with your manager to identify skill gaps, receive guidance, and adjust strategies for stronger promotion prospects.
- Expand
Skills : Enroll in relevant online courses or certifications that align with your desired role and demonstrate commitment to professional development. - Network Actively: Foster meaningful relationships with colleagues and industry peers by attending relevant events, actively participating in discussions, and offering genuine support.
Final Words
Progressing in your career requires more than meeting basic expectations—it calls for a strategic approach, persistence, and consistent self-improvement. By aligning your actions with long-term goals, building trusted relationships, and committing to learning opportunities, you demonstrate initiative and resilience. These qualities not only position you for advancement but also enhance your adaptability in changing environments. With every step you take toward greater responsibility, you showcase the value you bring and strengthen your future opportunities for growth.
Bill's MyVitalFew networking methodology is rooted in building, maintaining, and nurturing your most vital relationships, and he presents it in the pages of this book in a pragmatic way that anyone can understand and put into practice.
Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
