So, you want a promotion. But what does that actually mean? And how do you get one? In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common ways to make your case for promotion—and when and how to use them.

1. Volunteer for a new project.

While it’s tempting to just wait around for a promotion, this approach rarely works in the long run. Instead, start volunteering for new projects that will build your skills and expand your knowledge base. This will allow you to showcase your talents, and it may even give you an opportunity to work on projects that aren’t being assigned to anyone else. You’ll also be able to demonstrate how well you handle pressure and manage change — two important qualities for any high-level position.

2. Lead a corporate social responsibility team.

If you want to get promoted, you need to be seen as a leader. The best way to show that you're ready for a higher-level job is to take on more responsibility and increase your visibility within the company.

One of the easiest ways to do that is by leading a corporate social responsibility (CSR) team. This can be as simple as starting up an employee-volunteer program in your office or as complex as managing the company's global CSR strategy. The key here is that it shows that you are willing to go above and beyond what is expected of your role and that you're willing to work with multiple departments in order to achieve results.

3. Offer to work on special projects without pay.

This is a great strategy for those who are just starting out or lack experience in their field. If you have an interest in a certain project or department, volunteer to help out on weekends or after hours. This will give you an opportunity to learn more about the company and develop new skills that could help you later in your career.

4. Take the lead on a company-wide project.

One way to demonstrate your competence is by taking charge of a large-scale project or initiative that affects multiple departments and divisions within an organization says career coach Ann Linett of CareerPlanner.com. "If you're able to spearhead something that requires cross-departmental collaboration and cooperation," she says, "it will help build trust within your organization."

5. Demonstrate leadership skills.

It's not enough to be good at what you do — you also have to show others how to do it too. One of the best ways to showcase your leadership skills is by helping others with their own projects. If there's an opportunity for mentorship or coaching at work, show off your ability to lead by offering guidance and advice whenever possible.

6. Manage up and down.

Neurodiversity is the idea that people are different, and that it's okay to be different. This is especially true in the workplace. You need to manage up and down, not just sideways. You don't want to annoy your boss or co-workers by being too different, but you also don't want them to make you feel bad about how you think or behave differently than they do.

7. Develop your communication skills.

Communication is the key to all areas of life, and the workplace is no exception. When it comes to career promotion, effective communication skills are vital. They can help you gain support and cooperation from others, build relationships with colleagues and clients, and provide a better understanding of ideas and instructions from supervisors. In short, good communication skills can give you an edge over your peers when it comes to career advancement opportunities.

To develop these skills, you need to practice them regularly in your daily interactions with others. You can do this by making a conscious effort to listen actively when someone else is speaking and by speaking clearly and concisely during meetings or conversations. You should also ask questions if you don’t understand something someone has said or written down — don’t pretend that you already know everything there is to know about a topic just because it sounds impressive!

8. Be transparent about your goals.

It's important to have an idea of where you want to be in five years, but don't be afraid to get more specific with your boss and coworkers. If you have a good idea of what success looks like for you at your company, there's no harm in sharing that information with people who can help you get there — even if they might not be able to promote you themselves.

Takeaway

Simply put, you can’t just sit and wait for that promotion to come to you. With a little bit of research, you can position yourself as the employee the company needs to be more successful and make sure your boss sees that it could pay off in the end.