Identify & Strengthen:
Tackling Growth Areas And Getting Promoted
There are a couple of “sure-fire” ways to get promoted. One is simply through seniority and surviving long enough to prove to the company that you’re not going anywhere. Another is to work as hard as possible for as long as possible and hope to God that someone notices. A word to the wise, they don’t. Even worse, they do and it doesn’t make a lot of difference. If the sarcastic air quotes weren’t clear enough, there are no guaranteed ways to enhance your career. All you can do is try and stand out from the crowd.
How you choose to do that can take many forms, such as the ones listed above. Probably the most effective, however, is to turn a weakness into a strength. It’s called growth training and it’s something employers love to see. After all, your strong points aren’t going to sustain the business for the foreseeable future. Plus, they already know about achievements and successes, at least they should if you’ve been bragging properly.
Learning new skills and improving on weak spots are the keys to bagging a promotion. Here’s how to identify the areas which need work and then make them stronger.
Focus On Things You Can’t Learn Externally
Every role has elements that are essential for success that are teachable outside of the office. Being computer literate is a perfect example. Businesses rely on the internet so it’s crucial to be able to use basic software programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel . Taking advantage of classes offered at local computer/tech schools is an opportunity to add to your overall value. However, it’s also vital that workers concentrate on the things which are only teachable on the job. Leadership is a trait that companies want to see as they need bosses to be able to maintain morale and boost output. Sadly, it’s a characteristic that people learn from being in positions of power. It’s a difficult dynamic to overcome, yet it is possible if you put your name forward. To become a great leader, anyone can ask for permission to lead a small team and study the details, big and small.
Look At The Things You’re Not Learning
Human beings see what is in front of them yet struggle to read between the lines. This happens in the workplace pretty much every day and workers let it pass them by. Employers and the organization as a whole should teach you the skills to succeed in the role. Still, it’s naïve to assume that they are doing everything they can to improve you as an employee. Thanks to a lack of money and time, they simply concentrate on the basics. As a result, there is a variety of alternative skills out there waiting for you to grab them with both hands. And, anyone that is serious about a promotion should do it as soon as possible as they will come in handy in the future if they don’t currently. Remember that employers want to interview candidates that are proactive and work independently. When a boss sees a resume full of qualifications that aren’t part of the required reading list, they will judge you positively. As a rule, promotion candidates need to learn something new every day to add to their appeal.
As Well As The Things You Are
“Why the hell are we learning this stuff? It’s such a huge waste of time.” The odds are that you’ve thought this or heard a colleague utter this sentence before. In a worker’s head, the employees always know better than the managers. I mean, how did they even get the job in the first place? They must have kissed plenty of butts! It’s easy to let this attitude spiral out of control and impact your promotion chances. By using the rule above, we know that knowledge is power and it’s important to take as much on board as possible. And, it’s as essential to have an open mind and not to judge things too negatively. Granted, it may not seem like the best use of your time right now, but the training may come to fruition in the future. Whether it’s six days, six weeks, or six months down the line, you’ll be glad you didn’t put down your tools because you knew better than the management team. Try and keep them fresh in your mind in case a situation where they are needed arises. If not, be sure to study as and when you have to.
Identify Weaknesses
Without a doubt, the easiest way to target a growth area is to focus on your weaknesses. Not to knock your confidence or esteem, but everyone has them and it’s an occupational hazard of being human. Over the course of a career, people are subjected to different skills and some people are naturals while others need work. Never see this as a negative but as a means to further a skill set by improving the gaps in your knowledge. Weak spots are easy to find as they are the things that make you feel nervous or anxious. Public speaking is often a prime example because the idea of addressing a crowd fills the average person with dread. By doing it over and over again, however, the weakness will turn into a strength. Something more relatable maybe the introduction of a new software program which you haven’t got to grips with yet. Simply remember that practice makes perfect. Also, be sure to show off once the weakness transforms into a skill. Otherwise, the bosses won’t be able to see your progression. If you want, you can inform them of the revolution. Subtle it may not be, but being humble doesn’t secure a promotion.
Consider The Company (Don’t Be Self-Absorbed)
Fixing the areas which need work doesn’t only relate to you as a person. The business will have sectors that need taking care of if they want to succeed. And, anyone who is savvy enough should take them on board and think of methods to solve the issue. Let’s consider business as a whole. Two areas that are skyrocketing in 2018 are health and safety. Employees have a right to well-being in the office, and employers have to ensure they don’t impinge this during work hours. Usually, the emphasis is on the company to make sure everything is spic and span and hazard-free. Obviously, this puts a lot of strain on the hierarchy and they can struggle to spot all of the dangers. If they can turn to a health and safety officer, though, they would be very grateful. A BLS Certification Class seems like it has nothing to do with your career, but the management will remember a good turn. Scratch their back and they’ll do the same when the moment presents itself.
Know That More Money Equals More Problems
Biggie Smalls is a rapper and not a business consultant, yet his 90’s hit was and still is relevant today. For workers, it’s hard not to focus on the monetary benefits of working. Let’s be honest and say that the vast majority of people aren’t happy in their role. Therefore, a weekly or monthly wage tends to soften the blow. Employers notice this and mark it in the “cons” column. You may see this as a means of maintaining your drive, but they think of it as superficial. To them, only working for the money implies the passion will burn out after a while and standards will drop. They want a candidate who is money-driven yet who also loves the role as these are the people who turn up to the office and work consistently. During the interview process, be sure to mold answers so that the panel can see your different dimensions. Yes, the extra money is important but you also want the responsibility and a chance to lead. Quite simply, the opportunity to prove yourself is all the motivation you need. Applicants that only care about capital tend not to perform well unless the industry is money mad.
Don’t Be Too Brash
Everyone needs to be cocky and confident in the workplace; humbleness only gets you so far. People on the street may love your low-key attitude yet employers want strong and able workers. Of course, it’s easy to go too far and act as if there isn’t an issue that is too great. We all know these people, and although it seems as if they are loved by the company, they don’t always secure a promotion. The reason is simple: they lack vulnerability. No one is expecting you to open your heart to the people who hold your career in their hands, but you should accept the obvious. Understanding you have weaknesses is a basic yet valuable trait because it means you have perspective and aren’t blinded by ego.
Have these tips been helpful? Hopefully, you can now become the candidate employers are desperate to hire.
