Ethan
How long does it normally take at a job to climb the ladder and get promoted if your work improves everyday?
I'd like to know because I would like to be able to get promotions to show that I am good at my job and potentially make more money. #career #career-development
3 answers
Jeremy Brooks
Jeremy’s Answer
I don't necessarily think there is a set amount of time that it takes to get promoted. However, I would make sure you clearly understand your jobs expectations and do whatever you can to exceed those. It also wouldn't hurt to take on additional task without being asked.
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Nicole Baillie
Nicole’s Answer
Adding a bit to the awesome answers already provided, it is important to keep in mind who has influence over the perception that "your work improves everyday". Certainly you will and so will your supervisor. In some business settings, you may find that you have a series of clients that you support. Oftentimes, the feedback from those clients will matter in terms of your ability to grow professionally including getting promotions. Depending on the company you work for and the type of job you have, an individual could be tasked with helping a team solve a problem. In very general terms, if the team finds a solution and the individual was able to contribute to that solution in a meaningful way, it is likely that person will be recognized in very good terms and can use that success to seek professional growth. If the team did not find a solution but the individual was perceived as trying their best, that too can work well for that person. If the team finds a solution but the perception is that the individual was difficult to work with or didn't contribute anything meaningful, there are instances where this can be worse for that person than not getting to a solution. Why? Because it would speak to what people's experiences are in working with that person. If there is consistent negative chatter that can have an impact on future project assignments and/or getting on to teams where the projects can lead to promotions.
I would be a little cautious about seeking climb the ladder too quickly. For sure growth can be good but it shouldn't come at the expense of developing good professional relationships and building good work in a sustainable way.
Best of luck to you!
Kristin Darrow
Kristin’s Answer
Good question and a tricky area to navigate. Every time I've (respectfully and not in a pushy way) told my management team that I was on a certain career track and wanted to achieve certain things by x date, they've ultimately backed me in that. But you've got to pick your battles and have patience.
And as a manager of people, I always appreciate having the employee tell me what they want to achieve and why and how a certain promotion/new role will help the department and company vs. just asking for money or complaining about lack of raise, etc. One gains respect and one can lose it.
If you state your overall 2-3 year career goals and show how advancement into x position serves that and can benefit the company, that's a win-win for you and the company and hard for any good manager to resist! Of course all of that depends on you having a great reputation at your current job.
One other piece of advice. If you don't get the promotion you want right away (following a technique like above), don't bring it up for at least 6 months. Work hard, communicate your successes, communicate your failures (and how you already worked to fix them or need help to fix them)... and then try again. But asking too frequently can backfire.
Sounds like you're off to a great start!
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