2017 How to get a promotion

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Lots of people think that if they do their job really well, they will get a promotion. I don't know how it works in small companies, but in large corporations that isn't enough.

If your company has "levels", like Basic Grunt, Grunt First Class, Senior Grunt, and so on, they will likely have a job definition for each level. When you are promoted to Grunt First class, you will probably be given a sheet of paper with your responsibilities on it.

The temptation is to do those things, and do them well, and say "Hey, I'm a good Grunt First Class." That's not enough. That's a good way to stay a Grunt First Class, because you're so good at it.

Once you're fairly sure you can handle that job, go to your manager and ask for the sheet for the Senior Grunt. These days, it's probably available online, but don't just quietly print it off for yourself and take it into your corner. Make sure in some subtle way that your manager knows you're looking at it. Perhaps you could find some section that you could ask questions about - clarification, you know.

Then you start doing the things on that list. Start doing things that Senior Grunts do. Most Senior Grunts will be happy to delegate stuff to you.** Start small to gain their confidence.

In those 1-on-1s that I recommended last month, and the weekly accomplishment reports, mention those Senior-level things you're doing. If you do them well, you'll get more Seniors willing to delegate to you, and of course you can delegate your overflow Grunt First Class jobs to a Basic Grunt who looks ready to move up. (Make sure you can trust him or her, because even though they might be doing the work, you are still responsible for it.)

Eventually 80% of the work you're doing, and doing well, will be Senior Grunt work. You have demonstrated your readiness. At that point, you can go to your management and say, "I'm ready for a promotion, and here's the reason why...", and they'll have a very difficult time denying you.

That's how I got five promotions (and salary ladder jumps) in three years with The Company.

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** If Senior Grunts aren't willing to delegate to you, that's a sign that they're afraid for their own jobs, don't want competition, and it might be more profitable for you to work on your resume as well as on increasing your level of responsibility.
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