How to Raise Your Chances of Becoming a Manager

There’s much more involved in getting promoted to management than going out of your way to be nice to your boss; in fact, that’s generally something managers don’t want, i.e. ‘sucking up’, from candidates for promotions.

In addition to schmoozing up to your boss, here are seven mistakes to avoid when trying to get promoted to management.

1.   Trying too hard

2.   Annoying management

3.   Picking the wrong time or place to discuss matters

4.   Equating longevity with promotions

5.   Asking for a promotion in an inappropriate manner

6.   Overshooting your target

7.   Neglecting your long-term goals trying for a promotion

Understanding what to avoid when trying for a promotion to management is just as important as understanding what management is looking for in candidates for promotion and how to conduct yourself when approaching management to discuss your chances of promotion.

 

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7 ways to increase your chances of being promoted to management

1.   Show management that you have a strong work ethic

Management want to see a strong work ethic in those they consider for management level positions and this often involves, amongst other things, understanding what management’s expectations of you are, understanding what your ‘competitors’ are doing and delivering what’s required of you accurately and on time. 

2.   Demonstrate how well you fit in with the company’s culture

Each and every company has their own company culture and it’s rare for anyone who doesn’t fit in with this culture to be considered for promotion.

Company cultures define companies and their differences from others, so company culture can be seen to include the company’s ethics, goals, mission, values and their expectations of their employees in the work environment they’ve created.

3.   Increase your visibility in the workplace

The timeless adage ‘out of sight out of mind’ is particularly relevant to promotions in the workplace and you’re going to be overlooked for promotions to management if those responsible for appointing candidates for promotions don’t notice you.

Contribute something meaningful at meetings, discuss your career goals with management at a favourable time and promote your accomplishments without bragging about them to catch the eye of management.

4.   Think big and take calculated risks

Thinking big and voicing your ideas confidently will help you to catch the eye of management, though how naturally doing so comes to you is the real question here – you may have to rebel against your gut instincts.

Taking calculated risks is another way to attract the attention of management, so use your years of experience to take calculated risks.

5.   Demonstrate your loyalty to the company

The loyalty you display to the company you work for is one of the most important factors in receiving a promotion to management and displaying loyalty can help you to overcome other obstacles that are standing in your way.

Demonstrating that your personal values are in line with those of your company instils trust in management and can significantly improve your chances of winning that promotion you’ve had your sights set on.

6.   Earn qualifications required of management level employees

There are usually certain qualifications required of management level employees and without these qualifications there’s a good chance that you’ll continue to be overlooked for promotions until you’ve earned them.

Enrolling in department specific management level training courses, for instance a public relations course for positions in Human Resource, could be exactly what’s required of you to ascend the hierarchical ladder to management at your company.

7.   Have a plan and stay the course

Ascending the ladder at work often requires a plan and it also requires you to stay the course even in the face of great adversity.

Bear in mind that you probably won’t get promoted immediately, but whilst you’re working towards that promotion you’re gaining experience and hopefully, increasing your confidence – an important managerial trait.

Additionally, bear in mind that you might never possess what it takes to win a promotion at your current place of employment and you might therefore find it advantageous to find a new job at a company with a company culture that fits you more snugly – it’s often the case that being promoted to management at a particular company was never meant to be.

 

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