3 Ways to Get Yourself a Promotion

In a perfect world, our skills would always be appreciated, our potential unleashed, and our career horizons unlimited. But are you stuck in a job you're tired of and can't get promoted to something better? From benefits to vacation time there are a lot of reasons to stay with your current employer. Here are three quick tips that can help you get a promotion before the job is posted:

Work Beyond Your Position: Look for opportunities to work on different projects with different people. Often managers may only think of you in terms of your job description. By showing you have untapped skills, you can quietly let them know you're overqualified for your current job.

This strategy may see you do more work or possibly someone else's work. But think of it as a job interview. If you're good at something new, it will be noticed. Remember, it's always better to say, "I'm glad to help out," than, "That's not my job."

Share Your Knowledge: Do you have off the job interests that might be valuable in the workplace? For instance, your job might involve sales but after hours, you spend a lot of time learning about computers. When you learn something new and interesting from your hobby, share it with your superiors. Just because you have a lower position in the organization doesn't mean that you don't have something to teach those above you.

This can be as simple as leaving an article in someone's mailbox with a note saying, "I thought you might find this interesting." You're sharing information but not telling someone what to do with it. Nowadays no one can keep up with all the information that's in our world. By sharing you can make someone's life easier while promoting yourself.

It's News to Me: If you never talk about career advancement, how would anyone know it's your goal? Use your annual evaluation to ask your supervisor about advancement opportunities. Find out if you're lacking a skill that you'll need to get to the next level.

You're not saying that you hate your current job but rather would like to explore other opportunities. In food terms, it would be like saying, "I always eat the chicken at this restaurant but I think I'd like to try the fish. Do you think I'd like the fish?" In this scenario, you may experience some rejection. But wouldn't you rather experience it now, when you can work on your deficiencies, instead of during an interview?