By Priscilla Poirier, Toronto IT Recruiter
We all want to get promoted. You work hard and you want to be rewarded with increased responsibility – AND more money. But too many people assume promotions are readily available and employers should give one on a regular basis. This isn’t how it works.
Sure, there are constant changes in the workplace, it’s competitive and you want to move up as quickly as possible, but this can only happen if a promotion is available. Sometimes you just need to be patient.
Here are a number of common behaviours in the workplace that will take you out of the running for a promotion:
You take all the credit
Of course, you want to be recognized for a job well done, but when you take all the credit, you rub people the wrong way. It’s important to give credit where it’s due. Own your wins, and share the wins of others. Show you are about the team first; show you have the mentality to work at a more senior level.
You undercut others
A little healthy competition between coworkers is okay, but when you start undercutting others is when you go from a candidate for promotion to one of the most despised people in the office. Constantly pointing out others’ shortcomings and having a negative attitude will not be well received by management and coworkers.
You focus on getting promoted, not getting results
If you want to get promoted, you need to get results. Many people put the cart before the horse and become consumed with getting promoted. If you focus on getting results and always improving, getting promoted will be the natural next step for you.
You make it all about you
Too many people think they are owed a promotion or raise simply for doing their job. The truth is a promotion is not about you. It’s about what is best for the company. Companies offer promotions to those who improve company performance and move the company forward.
You play the victim card
Promotions can come at any time. However, they are not offered based on when you think you should receive one. Playing the victim card and giving up is not the best way to get promoted.
If you feel like you objectively deserve a promotion, or if you’ve been promised a promotion and it never materialized, you have another option. Work with a headhunter and start looking for a job elsewhere.
More Career Advancement Advice
Learn more about promotions and career advancement by reading these insightful blog posts by our expert headhunters:
Should You Hire an Overqualified Candidate?
Why You Haven’t Been Promoted Yet
5 Reasons Why Top Employees Quit
IQ PARTNERS is an Executive Search & Recruitment firm supporting clients across the country. We help companies hire better, hire less & retain more. We have specialist teams of recruiters in Technology (IT), Accounting and Finance, Consumer Goods, eCommerce and Retail, Financial Services and Insurance, Startup, B2B and Industrial, Operations and HR, Professional Services and Legal, Media, Digital and Marketing, Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, Emerging Technology and Telecom, and Sales. IQ PARTNERS has its head office in Toronto and operates internationally via Aravati Global Search Network. Click here to view current job openings and to register with us.
