Seven tips for getting promoted

Nearly every successful person with whom I have the opportunity to speak tells me that they owe their success to hard work, the people who helped them succeed, and a little luck. Not one successful person has ever told me that their success and promotions were based only on their merit.

In fact, there are many of the most experienced, hardest-working, and most qualified employees are passed up for promotions in favor of others who may be much less experienced, less qualified, and less hard working than they are. This is because promotions and success are never uniquely based upon one’s merit. There are many other factors at play such as office politics, connections, workplace image, and of course, a little luck.

Here are seven ways that you can increase your odds of being promoted:

1. Dress for success. No matter what position you are currently working in, dress for the position you want. If you want to be the lead agent at a sports management company, for instance, dress like the current lead agent. If he or she wears a suit and tie every day, you should do the same, even if you work in the mail room and even on casual Friday.
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3. Make friends with your boss. Establish rapport and cultivate a good relationship with your boss, because he is the key to getting you to your next great promotion in the company. Sit down with your boss on a regular basis and find out what his needs are and how you can help meet them. This will show him that you have his best interests in mind and will increase your chances of being promoted.
   
4. Be the master of your trade. Make sure that you learn everything you can about your current job and become a master of it. Never turn down an opportunity to be trained or to learn more so that you can increase your knowledge and skills in all of the areas that are critical to the organization. If you're interested in being promoted to a specific position, find out everything you can about that job so that you can make any necessary changes you need to become the heir apparent to that position.
   
5. Know what you are worth. Keep track of your accomplishments and contributions at work by putting together a portfolio of work that shows off your skills and experience. This will help you as you make your case for promotion to your superiors.
   
6. Get yourself noticed. Take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself for you to get noticed. Find opportunities to get to know your superiors and other influential individuals in your workplace. Make yourself know by offering to speak at company or industry gatherings, by writing in and/or starting a company newsletter, and by volunteering for high profile assignments.
   
7. Create your own opportunities. Keep a keen eye on industry trends and the needs and challenges that your company is facing. Soon you will find areas that are being neglected by your company, which you can solve by proposing a new job for yourself. If you keep your eyes open, you can literally “write your own ticket!”
8. Be patient. Too often employees don’t get promoted merely because they don’t stick around long enough to advance within a company. Promotions are not always available, so keep your eye on the prize and be patient. It may be that the resignation of one employee will propel you into the position you deserve.