Money & Career

How To Get A Promotion

It's time for your promotion!

Director of her own public relations agency, Dani Lombard reveals how to get ahead at work.

Communicate clearly


Chasing that next promotion? Be sure you’re dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s – literally. Start paying more attention to the way you communicate through the written word and avoid silly grammatical mistakes and punctuation errors. Nothing can damage your reputation more than sloppy communication and your boss, clients and colleagues could view this as a reflection of your overall standards.

Influence the influencers


The best publicity you can generate comes via word of mouth, and there’s nothing better than your boss hearing about what an awesome job you’re doing from someone else. And, while your boss might be the decision maker, think about who influences them. Don’t get stuck trying to impress just one individual who holds the key to your next promotion. Also, take time to go that extra mile and add value wherever you can for those around you.

Manage your reputation


There are no secrets on social media, and one compromising photo or cheeky comment could be enough to unravel all your hard work in the office. While your social media accounts might feel like your “private” life, don’t take any chances. Right or wrong, it’s not uncommon for employers to look up potential candidates on social media to find out more about them. If your work day and weekend persona’s are polar opposites, that next big perk could go to someone with a squeakier image.

Crisis management


We all make mistakes. If you’ve made one at work, how you deal with it will say a lot about your character. Put your hand up, take ownership and suggest a plan to rectify it. Act quickly and decisively to minimise damage. You’ll earn a lot more respect than trying to cover it up, make excuses or point fingers.

Raise your profile


It can be easy to get lost in the crowd especially in larger organisations. Make yourself memorable and you’re more likely to be top of mind when it’s time to select the team to go on the big annual conference. Contribute an article to an industry publication, website or blog that is widely read at work. With your company’s permission, you can even ensure your byline includes your place of work, raising your company’s profile and earning you some serious brownie points.

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