Buzz
Have you ever thought you were a guaranteed choice for a promotion, only to see your boss hand the role to someone else? It’s one of the most disheartening experiences you can go through at work.
I could relate when a Mytour reader recently reached out for some career advice.
After 15 years at their current company, this reader had reached a plateau. Despite receiving outstanding annual reviews, they were repeatedly overlooked for promotions to management. 'So, I’m starting fresh at a new company (with slightly higher pay), and I want to dive straight into networking and self-promotion to move up quickly. What tips do you have?' they asked. 'I’m sure networking with those in higher positions (like managers, directors, etc.) is a good move, but is there anything else I should consider?'
I knew there had to be more advice than just the usual ‘networking’ for this reader, so I reached out to a few experts in the hiring and promotion field. Here’s what they suggested for someone starting a new job and aiming to grow quickly.
Establish Goals Right Away
'There’s no shortcut to meaningful career growth,' cautioned Shannon Falotico, HR and talent manager at Circa Interactive, 'but you can take steps to show that you're committed to achieving big things in your new role.'
'From day one, make sure your manager knows that you're eager to take on your new responsibilities, but that you’re also focused on long-term career growth,' she advised.
Executive coach Sonya Sigler recommended not waiting for your manager to bring up goal-setting. She encourages her clients to create a 90-day success plan. 'Set goals, then set expectations,' she explained. 'You’ll establish a reputation for achieving goals right from the start.'
Of course, you won’t stop putting in the effort after 90 days, she explained. But 'Doing it from the start and discussing it openly is what truly sets you apart.'
Acquire New Skills
Being eager to enhance your skillset can give you the extra motivation needed to stand out.
'Make sure to seize every opportunity to learn,' advised Kim Hoffman, director of talent acquisition at Intuit. 'Chances are, your company offers free courses, workshops, or clubs to help you develop your skills and expand your network.'
Think you’ve reached the limits of your technical skills? Consider branching out into other areas. For example, if you're aiming for a managerial role, taking an introductory course in management could be a great step forward.
Track Your Successes
Ideally, your manager is invested in your professional growth and will be eager to discuss your early successes in your new position.
However, if they aren’t as enthusiastic about hearing about your wins, don’t let those accomplishments go unnoticed.
Falotico suggests keeping a record of your achievements in a spreadsheet or presentation. Be sure to include any learning opportunities you’ve taken advantage of to build your skills.
This way, when the time comes for a meeting with your manager, you won’t have to rely on your memory to recount your top achievements.
Seek Support Beyond Your Boss
Not feeling the support from your boss? Consider discussing your progress with someone else.
'Schedule a meeting with your HR representative,' suggested Falotico. 'Many companies have career development programs in place, even if they’re underutilized, and your HR contact can offer career guidance.'
That HR professional might also be able to connect you with someone in the company who can act as a mentor, offering advice tailored to your role and career goals.
'In addition to that mentor, make it a point to request feedback from everyone you work with,' said Hoffman. 'This will help you uncover your strengths and areas where you can improve.'
Seize the Moment After a Big Success
Don’t let your recent accomplishments fade away before discussing your potential for advancement. 'Promotion decisions are often influenced by the most recent performance,' explained Ian Cook, vice president of people solutions at Visier. 'So if you’ve just completed a high-profile project or exceeded expectations on a deliverable, that’s the time to bring up the promotion conversation.'
He further explained that many promotion decisions are made based on someone’s performance over the past two to three months. But be aware of your company’s promotion cycle. If there’s only one review period annually and many people are shuffled around, that’s the time you want to stand out. '[You can] improve your chances of advancement if you can time your best results to be delivered two to three months ahead of this period,' said Cook.
Practice Patience (to Some Extent)
'Promotions are rarely offered within the first year of joining a company, but you’ll find a sweet spot between two and four years,' Cook explained.
Don’t get discouraged if you're doing everything right but haven’t seen any movement in terms of pay or title. You may not be in the optimal window for advancement—or you might have already missed it. 'After five years... it tends to slow down significantly,' Cook mentioned. He also noted that if you’re not experiencing the growth you anticipated within that five-year period, it might be time to consider switching companies.
Keep Advocating for Yourself
Even if it’s not the time for performance reviews or promotions, you should still find ways to remind your superiors of your skills and accomplishments—especially those abilities you’ve had for a while but don’t often get to use in your current role.
'Getting skills that aren’t currently part of your role noticed requires some serious PR work,' said Sigler. 'You need to consistently talk about your previous experience and what you’ve learned from it. Otherwise, people might forget—or never even realize it in the first place.'
Hoffman concurred. 'Waiting around for a promotion to fall into your lap won’t get you anywhere,' she said. 'I suggest reviewing your company’s core values and making sure you are embodying them in every task you undertake.'
