If you are looking to move up
in your career, this article is for you. I will explain what you can do to get
noticed by the right people and how you can take that next step in your career
development.
From
non-manager to manager
The hardest switch is usually
from a non-management to a management position. This is mainly because you
start out in your career without any management responsibility and once you
have experience in managing people, it won’t make a big difference if you manage
10 or 20 employees.
When companies are recruiting
for a management position, they are generally looking to fill this position
with an internal employee. The hurdle is usually smaller for internal employees
to get into such a position even with little or without previous management
experience than for externals.
It is very important to show
your leadership capabilities before you get promoted. You have to put wood into
the fireplace before you can enjoy a fire. It does not work the other way
around.
Build
relationships within the company
When you are thinking about a
promotion, it is very important to build relationships within the area you are
looking to get into. It is not the most efficient employee who gets promoted,
it’s the one with the strongest relationships with the right people.
How to
meet these people.
Once you know in which area
you would like to get into, there are several action steps you can take to make
people aware of yourself and meet them. I will list a few here.
1.
Over Lunch
Take people out for lunch from other areas and introduce yourself.
You don’t have to start with the head of that organization, you can have lunch
or coffee with a peer first, who is on the same level as you are. The most
important thing is to get to know people from your target area to first, build
relationships with people who can hire you or recommend you and second, to see
for yourself if this area is something you are actually interested in.
2. Sharing
relevant content .
Share status updates, articles, videos, graphics, statistics etc.
with your contacts. The content should
be directed into the area you are looking to move into.
Don’t just share anything, only if it
resonates with you in your beliefs, values, interests or passion.
3. Meetings
When you have your next meeting with people you have never seen in
person, sit next to them instead of your best colleague. You will get to know
each other on the fly and you have a reason to connect. If there is a break,
use the time to get to know the new people.
4. Events
If there is a party this year
or other events, get to know as many people as you can. You can also prepare
yourself and find out who the right people are to talk to from your Intranet.
What to
talk about
When you meet with these new people, it is important that you talk
about your intentions. They will not just magically sense that you are looking
to move into a new department or division. Tell them what you are currently
doing, what you are looking to do in the future and what they think about it.
Ask them if they are happy in their position and department. Ask what they
think where you would fit in best.
Also,
very importantly, ask them if there is anybody else you should meet to make
sure you achieve your goals.
How to
prove your capabilities
As mentioned above, you must put wood into the fireplace before you
can enjoy the fire. Here are some things you can do to get noticed and to
enhance your chances for a promotion.
1. Tell
people what you intend to do
If you don’t tell your boss that your intention is to move up the
ladder or into another department, chances are, that it will never happen and
that he will be very unhappy about your sudden move. You might fear that your
current boss will think you are about to leave. However, if you tell him that
you are happy in your current role and are looking to move internally in the
next 6-12 months, he will be much happier to hear that instead of seeing you
leaving without knowing about it.
2. Take
charge.
Show your leadership capabilities. Whenever there is a meeting, you
are actively involved in without an agenda, suggest that you put one
together.
Whenever
people are late for meetings, suggest to the meeting owner to start on time,
whether everybody is attendant or not to make sure, people will be on time for
future meetings.
Show that you are able to lead and influence.
3. Get in
your own ideas and thoughts.
Don’t be scared to tell your boss or others how you think things
could work better, faster, more efficient, cheaper, more effective or more
stable. As a leader, it is crucial to initiate and innovate, especially in a
large, slow-moving and rigid organization.
Once your idea has found somebody who is willing to support it, do
everything to make the outcome positive and visible.
4. Bring
people together
This might be the most powerful and fastest way to move up the
ladder in your career or even in your own business.
If you
connect people with something to share with each other, you provide high value
and will stay a part of their relationship. When they work together, do
business with each other or start a company, you will be the person who brought
them together and made it possible. This is extremely powerful.
The
yearly review meeting with your boss
Almost all of us have this meeting. It is the best place and time to
discuss your future as it is a fixed part of this meeting. Make sure you tell
your boss exactly what you would like to do in the future. Ask for his support
and recommendations. Is there a certification or an advanced training that
could move you closer to your goal? Ask him what he thinks about it.
Prepare
for your meeting and prepare well. Take with you all documentation of
situations where you showed your leadership capabilities throughout the year.
If you took notes in your meetings, this should be no problem.
Emphasize these points and tell your boss that you would like to
take advantage of your talents and move in the direction you chose.
Wishing
you a GREAT CAREER !!!
