5 Proven Hacks to Obtaining a Promotion At Your Workplace

Are you tired of seeing new people coming and taking over managerial positions in your organization? Have you had your eyes on those positions for some time now? You need to get ready. So, your organization currently advertised job openings in your department and this is the opportunity you have been waiting for to land a promotion. You have reached that point in your career where you are more than ready for the next challenge at work; to move up the corporate ladder.

You there thinking of the HR and your immediate supervisor as your friends and that they already know you and the process will just be a walk in the park? Wrong! Internal interviews are not any easier if anything they are very hard. They know your weaknesses and the mistakes you’ve done in the past. There is no way to spin this around; you have to face your demons.

Internal interviews require different strategies in handling them. We are going to share some quick hacks to preparing for the interview and tips to overcome arising issues.

Here are 7 quick tips to obtaining a promotion at your workplace

1. Research on the job
Since you are already at an advantage point since you can access the hiring team, use that to your advantage. The job description coupled with the hiring team expectations will put you in the clear. Get to know what they expect of the candidate that is not listed on the job description and tailor your preparation to that by asking them the right questions.

Hack 1: Ask the right questions
Despite having worked and even gone for “nyamachoma” together with the panel for the last 4-7 years, it does not mean they will help you cheat. Don’t ask them direct questions like, “What do I have to say to prove I’m the best candidate?” Such questions will not help your cause.

Ask questions like; “What are some of the red flags that will make you disqualify a candidate?”, “What are the key responsibilities of this position?” The answers to this kind of questions will give you talking points during the interview.

2. Conduct self-assessment of your work performance
Unlike external employees, your first impression ship sailed a long time ago. So, before tendering in your application, you need to introspect. Take a hard look at your work performance, from your work ethics and attitude to perceptions from your team, boss, colleagues and other stakeholders.

Hack 2: Know your perception around the office
Take time and interact with your colleagues be it in a formal or informal setting and get to know what they think of your performance and what they think of you in a different role. Keep an open mind to what will be said, accept the criticism and don’t go about defending yourself so hard.

Don’t ask questions such as, “How do you see me becoming your boss?” That, right there, will get you on the wrong side with your colleagues. Ask questions that speak to the job demands like, “How can you rate my people skills?” or “How good am I at multi-tasking?” Such questions will help you in your self-assessment.

Related Article>>> How To Prepare for Career Growth Conversation

3. Tell your boss
When looking at a promotion within your organization, your current supervisor will be more of the preferred referee about the position. Let your supervisor know your intentions to pursue a higher position and how you would appreciate their support of the same. They should not hear from third parties that you are pursuing a promotion or new position.

Only and only if you see a conflict of interest between you and your supervisor, you can explain to the recruiting team and request them to keep your application process private till later on.

Hack 3: Frame your conversation
A manager’s abilities are well reflected in the growth and performance of their juniors. Frame your conversation on how it’s going to look on your supervisor in terms of their skills as managers, and how it will paint them in a good light to the overall management. Don’t make it about yourself alone and how you are going to grow your career and get that big paycheck.

4. Prepare for the interview
Having done all the due diligence, informed your supervisor of your intentions, applied for the job and gotten an invite for the interview, you will need to prepare as it will be tough. The interview will dig into your past performance, qualifications, salary expectations, and work relationships. Your slate will not be clean. Your interview questions will be out to gauge your ability to perform and handle the stress that comes with it.

During the interview, stay professional. They might be your colleagues, but at that time they own the process so maintain a professional attitude. Showcase your strengths, cite your familiarity with the company, your successes in your current position and demonstrate your commitment to the company.

Don’t be a know it all, talk about what will be new in the role and how you are adaptable to handle them. Ask questions relating to the new role and how the transition would be in the event that you are successful.

Hint 4: Interview questions to prepare for
Here are some of the common interview questions you might come across, prepare adequately;
•Why do you want to leave your current role?
•Why do you want to get promoted?
•What would you do if you don’t get the spot?
•What do you have that other candidates don’t?
•Do you have any prior experience working in this capacity?
•What kind of challenges are you looking for in this new role?
•Can you fire someone?
•How do you plan to manage difficult team members? What about difficult customers or clients?
•How would you spend your first 30 days in this new role?

Highly Recommended>>> 5 Best Tips Proven For Coping With Stress At Work

5. In conclusion
After the interview process, things must go back to normal and your supervisor will still expect top-notch performance. Don’t lapse in your work performance and start daydreaming about your new role, continue proving your skills and abilities.

Hint 5: Don’t burn bridges
If you get the promotion, don’t burn the bridges. You might become a superior to most of your colleagues or former team members; continue treating them with the same respect as before. Let your colleagues know that you are moving a rank higher and that they can still count on you for support.

If you don’t get the job, make sure there are no hard feelings, “usicatch”. More opportunities will arise in the future and it’s up to you to continue preparing for the next opportunity, improving on the mistakes you made. Take time to find out what locked you out of the position and work on them.

See Also>>> 9 Strategies For Dealing With A Difficult Boss

The writer is a Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading Recruitment firm that offers CV Writing, Job Placement & Career Advice.  Email: Elizabeth@corporatestaffing.co.ke