How to Get a Promotion at Work: 5 Things You Need to Do to Succeed
When Sarah first joined her company, she dreamed of climbing the corporate ladder. But after
two years in the same role, she felt stuck, unsure of how to move forward. She worked hard, met
deadlines, and got along well with her coworkers, yet her efforts went unnoticed. It wasn’t until
Sarah changed her approach that she finally earned the promotion she had been striving for.
Here’s what she did—and what you can do, too.
1. Take Initiative and Go Beyond Your Role
Sarah realized that doing her job well wasn’t enough. She started volunteering for cross-
department projects, offering solutions to problems before they became issues, and showing she
could handle responsibilities outside her job description.
Actionable Tip: Look for opportunities to solve challenges, streamline processes, or take on
project leadership roles. Managers notice employees who demonstrate a proactive attitude.
For more advice on leadership and growth, consider working with one of our leadership coaches
to develop strategies that enhance your professional impact.
2. Develop New Skills
Recognizing a gap in her skill set, Sarah enrolled in online courses to enhance her data analysis
and presentation abilities—both critical for her desired promotion. These skills helped her
perform better and demonstrated her commitment to growth.
Actionable Tip: Identify the skills required for the next level in your career and actively work to
acquire them through courses, workshops, or mentorship.
Explore online leadership courses and skill-building programs offered through your company or
local organizations.
3. Build Strong Relationships
Sarah began networking within her organization, attending team events, and scheduling coffee
chats with colleagues in different departments. This allowed her to understand the company’s
bigger picture and showcase her capabilities to a broader audience.
Actionable Tip: Build meaningful relationships with colleagues and leaders. Networking within
your organization can open doors and highlight your value to key decision-makers.
Gather tips from experts about How to Build a Broader Network within Your Company.
4. Communicate Your Goals
Sarah realized her boss wasn’t a mind reader. She scheduled a one-on-one meeting to express her interest in a promotion, discuss her accomplishments, and outline how she could contribute at a higher level.
Actionable Tip: Share your career aspirations with your manager. Communicate your readiness
for more responsibility and seek their guidance on achieving it.
A trusted mentor, a Human Resources partner at your organization, or one of our leadership or
executive coaches could be the perfect resource to help you prepare for an effective career
advancement conversation.
5. Deliver Consistent Results
Finally, Sarah maintained a track record of exceeding expectations. She documented and
regularly shared her achievements during performance reviews and regular one-on-ones,
ensuring her contributions were visible.
Actionable Tip: Keep a record of your accomplishments and quantify your impact whenever
possible. For example, mention how your actions saved time, increased revenue, or improved
team efficiency.
Sarah’s story proves that promotions don’t happen by chance—they’re earned through a strategic
combination of hard work, skill-building, and relationship management. By applying these five
steps, you, too, can stand out professionally and take your career to the next level. Start today,
and your next promotion could be closer than you think.
