Over the course of my 30-plus years as a career coach – and with credit given to my mentor, Susan Whitcomb, here are 10 Cs for promotable people:
- Character
- Confidence
- Communication
- Competency
- Connection
- Critical Thinking
- Contributions
- Commitment
- Control
- Coachable
If you have these characteristics, kudos! There are two other factors though. Know your company’s situation. Is it in flux? Adding talent or laying off? What’s the industry’s health like?
Thirdly, as with all things career, it’s good to start with self-analysis. Why do you want to be promoted? What’s that look like to you?
Here are some questions to brainstorm to help frame your promotion target. Set them up in a Word document, giving yourself ample space to flesh out your answers.
- What is the title of the position you are targeting?
- What is the detailed job description of the new position?
- What is the bottom-line impact and value you’d be delivering in this position?
- What is your motivation for wanting this?
- Where will this prometon take you long term?
- Ideally, how long would you like to stay in this position?
- What will this promotion bring to your life?
- How will your life change because of this?
FLOAT INTO THE FUTURE
It’s one year from now, and you’re celebrating your anniversary of being hired for your new position. You’re settled into the new job and are delivering solid results. Describe a typical workday in detail, noting things like your level of confidence and self-esteem, the people with whom you regularly interact, the types of decisions you’re making, what you’re most proud of having accomplished this past year, and so on.
- After allowing space to do the above, what thoughts and emotions come up for you as a result?
To recap, there are 10 characteristics of promotable people. Your company’s financial situation, business strategy, and growth goals will impact your promotional opportunities. Get clear on your promotion target, including the title, responsibilities, bottom-line impact on the organizations, what opportunities it might lead to long-term, how long you should envision staying in this role, what the new position means for your future, and what it will bring to your life.
Finally, make sure the position is a FIT: It allows you to use your preferred functional skills; it is in an industry you enjoy; it aligns with the things that matter to you (salary, life balance, geography, etc.); it brings you fulfillment; it is consistent with your identity and how you both see yourself and want others to see you; and it complements your personality type.
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