how to bag that promotion at work

Whether you want a promotion for the increase in pay or to have a more influential role in your organization, by setting your mindset for growth and making a plan, you can climb the corporate ladder and get the paycheck to go with it.

1. Make a career plan

Just like when you're in school, and you make a plan for graduation and for the job search, you can also make a plan for your career. What positions exist in your organization? What skills go along with those positions? 

Talk to people you know in those roles, find out how they got there. Conducting these informational interviews is extremely helpful in making your plan. You can find out what they wish they had known early on, and learn from their perspective.

2. Go above and beyond

Where in your current job responsibilities can you go above and beyond? You don't want to step on toes, or come across as over-eager, so craft a strategy. If your dream promotion involves making budgets or managing people, meet with your boss and let them know you're interested in learning more about these responsibilities. You won't be outright asking for a promotion, but instead showing initiative! And that in itself is going above and beyond. 

3. Grow your skills

Not every skill you need for that promotion can be learned on-the-job. Constantly evaluating your skills, looking for ways to grow them, means you can find the tools and resources to do so. Whether it's taking a data science class online, finishing your degree, or learning more about what you need to learn will help. Take a look at the below infographic that discusses key leadership skills for inspiration, whether or not you're in the nonprofit sector.

Infographic Design By University of Southern California