How to get a promotion

Everyone wants to hit the big time – but it can be tricky to get there.
If you’ve got your eye on the next rung of the career ladder, it’s not just a matter of wanting it – you’ve got to work for it. And that’s not all. To land some promotions, you’ll need to show additional accreditations, while others will require a certain level of experience. AND you have to work up the courage to ask your boss.
But don’t worry – there’s loads you can do to show you’re a prime candidate.
Scope out the prospects
If you want to get ahead, you need to be proactive. Rather than waiting for your dream job to appear, speak to your boss or mentor and scope out the possibilities for promotion on your career path. If the internal opportunities seem limited, or don’t appeal to you, be honest with yourself – you may have to look elsewhere to land your ideal role.
Show you care
Now you've made it clear that you’re interested in moving up, you’ll need to prove you’re right for the role. Whether that’s taking on extra responsibilities or simply excelling in your current job, it’s important not to get complacent - prove you’ve got the gumption to get promoted.
Get qualified
Of course, it’s not always that simple. You may need additional qualifications to step up to a management position. But if you don’t have them, you’re not out of the running. If your employer pays the apprenticeship levy, they may be willing to team up with a training provider and sign you up for a higher or degree apprenticeship.
Be brave
Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. If you have an idea that’ll improve your work, speak up! If you have evidence to back it up, even better – your boss will be really impressed with your research.
Record your CPD
When it comes to getting promoted, all the little things add up – so make sure you’re keeping a record of them. OneFile’s CPD tool allows you to create profiles, set objectives and track how you’re meeting them – so you’ll have a ready-made portfolio of evidence to show your boss. With a record of all your achievements right there, they can’t say no!
Want to try it out?
Climb the career ladder with OneFile’s free CPD platform – the perfect place to prove your prowess and get promoted.
This article includes research and opinion sourced by OneFile at the time of publication. Things may have changed since then,
so this research is to be used at the reader's discretion. OneFile is not liable for any action taken based on this research.