Women And The Promotion Game

Women want to advance in the world of business just as much as men do, but women seem to get fewer chances. The opportunity to advance in your career may be up to you to create. The existence of a promotion opportunity at your workplace may be enough for a man to be considered, but you may have to do some extra footwork to be in the game. While this is certainly unfair, it is often the reality. So here are some tips to getting ahead:

• Become an expert in the area that you want to move into. Try getting extra work or taking on projects that will give you the experience you need to succeed in the new position. Do not assume that you can learn on the job. It is your responsibility to take the initiative and put yourself in the position to learn all you can about that particular facet of the business. If you are applying for a promotion in a line job, then you will need to get some experience in that profit area of your company.
• Know the right people and take advantage of your connections. This does not mean that you should use people to get what you want. It does mean that you should find people in the company, or outside of it, that have the experience and influence to help you get where you want to be. A mentor is an extremely valuable asset. So when you are talking to your office buddy, keep in mind there are people at work who you can talk to that will actually further your career. You are there to do a good job, not to make friends. So decide who you need to know to further your career and then get to know them. Introduce yourself and express your interest in their field.
• Express yourself and let the people in charge know that you are interested in moving up. This is a great way to ask what is necessary for you to attain the new position. Don't be demanding, but ask directly what you need to do to get to the next level. This will help you be prepared when the promotion is offered in house.
• Another aspect of getting a promotion is working outside of your comfort zone. You will need to do jobs that you may not be prepared for or feel you have enough experience for. You will need to work long hours and sacrifice some personal time. All of these things will be worth the effort if the promotion is really where you want to be. You will clarify your goals when it means giving up some comfort for quality.
• Be willing to take responsibility. You would be surprised at the number of adult professionals who still refuse to take responsibility for their actions. This means taking credit when it is due to you and taking responsibility when something you do results in an error. No need to shame yourself or get dramatic, but do admit to your mistakes. The important thing is that you see that the situation is repaired so when you admit to the mistake, your positive actions will counteract any negative impression.
• Be an overachiever. You cannot stop working when you have done enough to get by. When you want a promotion, you need to perform above and beyond expectations. Be a quick learner and work well on your own.
• Finally, see the big picture. You need a broad understanding of your organization in order to be considered for other roles. You will need to know more than just your particular department's importance in the overall profit margin and corporate culture. So spend some time getting to know the history of the company and ask people in other departments to lunch where you can learn about their world in the company.

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