The Career Raven Weekly: Preparing for a Promotion: How to Position Yourself for Success

Hello, Career Raven Coven!

You’ve been working hard, achieving results, and growing in your current role, but now it’s time to start thinking about the next step: a promotion. Preparing for a promotion isn’t just about waiting for the right moment—it’s about strategically positioning yourself for success. In this week’s newsletter, we’ll explore how to take proactive steps to increase your chances of earning that promotion.

Why Preparing for a Promotion Matters

If you want to move up in your career, you need to take charge of your professional growth. Waiting for a promotion to come to you can result in missed opportunities. By proactively positioning yourself for a promotion, you show leadership, initiative, and strategic thinking—qualities that are vital for advancing in your career.

How to Position Yourself for Success

Here are the key strategies to prepare for a promotion:

1. Understand the Promotion Criteria

   • Have a candid conversation with your manager to understand what it takes to earn a promotion in your organization.

   • Ask for specific performance metrics and expectations so you know exactly what you need to achieve.

2. Excel in Your Current Role

   • Focus on excelling at your current responsibilities. Going above and beyond will demonstrate that you’re ready for more.

   • Take ownership of important projects, meet deadlines, and consistently deliver high-quality work.

3. Develop the Skills You Need

   • Identify the skills required for the role you’re aiming for. Is it leadership, technical skills, or project management? Invest time in developing those skills.

   • Take relevant courses or certifications that will help you stand out as a top candidate for promotion.

4. Show Leadership and Initiative

   • Look for opportunities to take on additional responsibility or lead projects. Volunteer for challenging assignments that give you exposure to senior leadership.

   • Be proactive in offering solutions to problems that arise within your team or department.

5. Build Strong Relationships

   • Network internally to build relationships with key stakeholders, including colleagues in other departments and senior leaders.

   • Get involved in company initiatives and demonstrate that you’re invested in the company’s success.

6. Request Regular Feedback

   • Schedule regular check-ins with your manager to discuss your progress and ask for constructive feedback.

   • Use feedback as a tool for improvement and to showcase your commitment to growth.

Action Steps:

• Schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss the expectations for promotion.

• Create a personal development plan to work on the skills necessary for the role you want.

• Take on a new project or responsibility that showcases your leadership potential.

This Week’s Challenge:

This week, I challenge you to schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss the path to promotion. Be prepared to share your accomplishments and ask what more you can do to position yourself for success.

Need Help?

If you need guidance on how to position yourself for a promotion, I’m here to support you. Let’s work together to create a strategy for your growth.

Coming Next Week:

Next week, we’ll focus on Navigating Office Politics—how to build influence without getting caught in the drama. Stay tuned!

Stay tuned and keep soaring!

With Empowerment and Strategy,
Jen DeLorenzo
Career Coach & Reverse Recruiter