Are concerns about your career advancement keeping you awake at night?
In today’s tough and competitive job environment, greater efforts don’t often result in immediate promotions due to the abundance of talent ready to work at lower costs. Your task is to stand out from the crowd and compel your employer to invest in your career growth.
You may believe you’re an excellent performer, but what really counts is your boss’s opinion. To be fair, no employer is interested in losing a star employee.
If you are certain you warrant a promotion but are not ascending the ladder, it might be worthwhile examining whether you’re making one of these common pitfalls that might be hindering your progression:
1. _Befriending Your Boss:_ It’s not entirely bad to be friendly with your boss, but it becomes problematic when the lines blur between pure friendship and professionalism. Despite an affable demeanor, your boss is still your superior and should be treated with due respect.
2. _Negativity At Work:_ Your glaring destructive attitude may dim the shine of your brilliant work. A moody team member can destabilize the workflow, particularly if they frequently clash with colleagues. Being the one who creates a stressful environment won’t make you a popular choice for promotion.
3. _Chronic Tardiness:_ Are the last-minute excuses for being late, the unexplained absences, or the frequent ‘sick’ leaves slipping under the radar? Doubtful. Absence, tardiness, and feigned sickness are visible and adversely affect your standing.
4. _Technological Ineptitude:_ Are your skills and technical proficiency up to par? Companies value employees who adapt with the times and stay current with industry trends. Attend relevant training programs and let your boss know. Even if the budget is tight, your proactive approach to stay updated will be acknowledged.
5. _Just Enough Is Not Enough:_ To earn a promotion, you need to exceed expectations, not just meet them. Take on a proactive role in your assignments. Volunteer to extend help, offer to do additional work and agree to carry out tasks that others shrink from.
Demonstrate teamwork and dedication, and you’ll likely be the one the company will bet on when the time for promotion arrives. Anticipated career growth is not far if you avoid these otherwise common slip-ups.
