Getting promoted not only has a major impact on your income, it validates your hard work and provides an opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills. Think you're done promotion? Use these questions to assess your willingness. Write down the ones you answer 'no' to and then create an action plan to turn them into a 'yes'.
- Have you mastered most of the skills required for your current position? Your boss wants to know you're ready, but doesn't think you should be the best at every skill!
- Have you been in your current role long enough? Remember, “long enough” doesn't mean ten years!
- Do you feel restless – or bored in your current position?
- Are you up for the challenge, along with the extra work and effort required to start a new job?
- Is this a good time to personally take on this new challenge?
- Have you lined up the reasons why you qualify for bigger and better opportunities? Document those things that make you relevant and attractive to a promotion – a portfolio of your victories in your current and past jobs, the distinction of others who want to be promoted, and a list of what you would achieve in your new job.
- Do you meet at least 60% of the requirements for the job you are pursuing? You don't have to meet everyone. Women are more likely to want to meet 100% of the requirements before they dare to go further. Men are less likely to wait before chasing a promotion.
- Are you a lifelong learner willing to develop new skills to succeed in the job you want?
- Do you have a proven track record of exceeding expectations in your current role?
- Have you told your boss that you have skills that are not being used and that you would be more valuable in higher positions?
- Is your boss aware of your potential and your desire to move up the ladder?
- Do you have regularly and visibly demonstrated skills that go beyond what is necessary for your current position – and clearly distinguish yourself from your colleagues?
- Have you built your brand internally with leaders and decision makers?
- Are you on the radar of leaders in your field outside of your company?
- Do you have unique and valuable assets that you can take with you to your next job (an external network, resources, access to potential employees)?
If you can answer "Yes" to at least nine of these questions, you're ready to be promoted. Remember that you don't all have to answer 'yes'!
