Becoming a top candidate for promotion doesn’t happen overnight. You have to build a track record of proven performance and demonstrate the skills required for the job. Consider the following strategies to propel yourself to the top of the list:
Management Tip of the Day
Boost Your Presentation with Great Visuals
Most people respond better to visuals than the spoken word alone. But, not all visuals enhance a presentation: Inaccessible graphs or nonsensical clip art will detract from your message. To create visual aids that give your presentation impact, engage your audience, and make your points stick, follow these rules:
Use Your 118 Seconds Wisely
The average length of an elevator ride in New York City is 118 seconds. If you use that as a guide, it means you’ve got less than two minutes to deliver a winning elevator pitch for your amazing new idea — wherever you are. Start by grabbing your prospect’s attention in the first few seconds. Convey who you are and describe what …
Mentees, Make Listening Your First Priority
It might be tempting to use your mentoring sessions to impress your mentor — someone who can potentially advance your career. But, most mentors are put off by protégés who do more self-promoting than learning. Listen to your mentor, show humility, and make it clear that you take the counsel seriously. When you get feedback, don’t …
Find a Job by Changing the Way You Network
The best way to find a job is through networking. But, don’t limit your outreach to close friends and current colleagues. Cast a wide net and reach people beyond your immediate circle. Here are three steps to do that:
Forget Motivation, You Need Follow Through
When approaching a difficult task — getting to the gym, writing an important presentation — you may chide yourself for lacking motivation to get it done. However, it’s often not a question of motivation, but follow through. You may want to do the task — you know it’s important — but your brain talks you out of it. You tell …
Find Mentors Who Speed Up Your Learning
Many of the jobs that Baby Boomers will vacate over the next two decades will go to young upstarts. But how do you compete for jobs formerly held by people with decades more experience? The right mentors can help speed up your learning. Consider contacting the following types of people:
Get Your Team Thinking Like Entrepreneurs
Teams in large organizations can easily get tangled in bureaucracy. It takes a long time to execute on projects when waiting for approvals and gathering resources. But, you can get around this by helping your team members think and act like entrepreneurs. Try doing the following:
Say Less and Convey More
When you’re giving a presentation and nervousness kicks in, it’s tough to be brief. But, your audience expects you to state your conclusion and stand behind it, not ramble on aimlessly. You can only do that if you zero in on the purpose. When you prepare for your talk, work backwards. Before you put anything down on paper, know the …
Before Promoting Someone, Do a Test Run
If you suspect an employee is ready for a promotion, don’t jump right in. Performance in a current role doesn’t always predict performance in a future one. Gather more information by designing an assignment for the employee that mimics the tasks and challenges of the new job. Be transparent and tell him that you are using this …
Make Time for Meeting Prep
With so many meetings, busy managers don’t always have time to think about the goals of those meetings. But showing up unprepared only makes a meeting longer and less effective. Try blocking out time on your calendar for prep work and to think about what you want to accomplish. If a meeting is an hour, you may need 30 minutes to …
Get Mentoring that Grows with Your Career
Early in your career, you may ask mentors to help you with specific skills. But as you face mid-career challenges, you need mentoring that’s tailored to your individual strengths and career goals. And, you need mentors who can increase your access to career-advancement opportunities. Work with advisers who can help you take the skills …