Recognition

Opportunities abound for promotion seekers

Good news for promotion seekers: A recent survey found that 40% of managers believe internal promotions are the best way to fill a job opening. The survey also found that 73% of managers say their company typically looks at the current employee base before considering candidates outside the organization when conducting a job search.
[ 2007-11-14 ]

Send to a friend
Print

BOTCH OPPORTUNITIES


Yet many careerists botch such opportunities. As they begin feeling unappreciated, underpaid and under challenged at work, many search for greener pastures outside their organization.

"What people fail to realize is that those greener pastures are often located in their own back yard -- with their current employer," says Susan Britton Whitcomb, author of the new book 30-Day Job Promotion (available at www.jist.com).

In her book, Whitcomb encourages employees to proactively position themselves on the pipeline to a promotion and offers several strategies to help careerists accomplish this feat. Whitcomb's four elements to a proactive promotion plan require promotion seekers to do the following:

  • Prepare for courageous conversations with management about their career and future contributions to the company.
  • Possess a winning combination of hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills include savvy technical skills and industry knowledge. Soft skills include factors such as effective communication, and presentation and social skills.
  • Develop strategies to overcome challenges, such as office politics or a poor relationship with a manager or co-worker.
  • Form relationships with mentors who will offer their support and act as accountability partners throughout the promotion-seeking process.

    • Despite the promotional opportunities that abound for employees across the nation, Whitcomb reminds employees that in order to generate great rewards, they must exude greater effort in the workplace.


    "Getting promoted is not for the faint of heart," she says. "It takes a proactive plan, proof of performance, the right perception of you, perseverance, and a positive attitude."



    Send to a friend     Print

    Doing my part.coop Contest
     
     
    Your Opinion Matters

    Would you ever work for a social or charitable enterprise in the third sector?