By Tiffany Young
Online Career Tips Contributor
It’s spring! It’s a good time to consider where you’re at in your job. As you evaluate your annual goals and setting new expectations, think about what you need to do to put yourself in line for your first promotion.
Producing strong results in your current job won’t be enough. You will need to demonstrate to your supervisor and the company the skills that prove that you are ready for the next level. Keep these things in mind:
Take Initiative
Companies appreciate when employees take initiative. It’s more than just doing your job and doing it well. Taking initiative requires creative-thinking, strategic planning, and some project leading. Take the lead on a group project and set goals for the team. Look to be a problem-solver and see that things get done from beginning to end. Sometimes there are no quick rewards, but you are seeking something bigger and better–that promotion.
Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills
Find ways to demonstrate that you have the interpersonal skills required to manage a variety of projects and a variety of people such as vendors, clients, and colleagues. Admittedly, this can be hard to do if you aren’t responsible for managing people. However, how you interact with others on group projects can showcase your interpersonal and people management skills.
Look for Opportunities
Discover those opportunities that will get you noticed on the job and display your ability to handle a more responsible role. For example, if you are skilled in social media, and there is no social media presence at your company, ask your supervisor if you can present a social media plan for the company and give a session on how to use social media to your colleagues. Also, consider taking some professional development training outside of the job. You can come back to your company with new skills and knowledge that is valuable to share. This may require extra work but, if you are successful, you’ll gain critical skills that can propel your career so that this first promotion will not be your last.
About the Author:
Tiffany Young is the manager of public relations for American Public University System. She has more than seven years of experience in media relations, event management, and public relations. She earned a certificate in Public Relations from the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies and received a B.A. in Mass Communications from Virginia State University.
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