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29 March 2024

8 steps to make it to top in job market... faster

Published
By Shuchita Kapur

There are people who make it from the front desk to the corner office and then on the head of the table in the boardroom.

While such clerk-to-chairman stories may not be too common and perhaps it’s not everyone’s goal to be a CFO or CEO, for anyone with even a little bit of ambition, it will be worthwhile to identify skills and characteristics that will help the individual climb the corporate ladder.

Such traits and qualities, when inculcated and marketed in the right manner, can help an employee get on the right side of management hierarchy in whichever sphere s/he may choose – whether it’s to the top of the IT pyramid in your organisation or as the marketing head or the big man in human resources.

Leading headhunters in the country have sound prescription for you if you want to get promoted faster than what an ordinary employee would take in the normal course.

#1 Plan

The first and the foremost thing that needs to be sorted out is the plan. Putting in place a well thought-out strategy is just the first but the very necessary step, believes James Sayer, Director, Robert Half Middle East.

“Devise your strategy,” he says. “Think about your contributions to the organisation and why you deserve that promotion,” he told Emirates 24|7.

#2 Participate

Knowing exactly what is expected of you can help you achieve results faster. “Make sure you have spoken to your manager about your KPIs so you have a clear path to what you need to do to move up,” adds Jennifer Campori, Managing Director, Middle East and Europe at Charterhouse Partnership. 

#3 Learn

Understanding the company culture is also critical. “Get a holistic understanding of the business (don’t just focus on your job description), be discrete, understand the company politics and culture,” advises Konstantina Sakellariou, Partner, Marketing & Operations Director at Stanton Chase International.

#4 Slog

Hard work has no substitute and experts believe there is no running away from it if you want to go higher in your career. “For long-term career growth, the fastest way to promotion is hard work,” says Campori.

“Work hard, efficiently and effectively,” are the magic words as per Sakellariou. “Make an effort to walk the extra mile,” she adds.

#5 Trumpet

As you work hard, ensure that it is seen and noticed by those who matter in deciding your future at work. “If you want to be recognised, you need to make sure you volunteer for new projects and get more involved,” explains the Charterhouse expert.

“Improving your visibility through volunteering for special projects, developing your specialist and leadership skills is a good start,” agrees Sayer.

#6 Network

Networking is an added advantage if you want to be promoted faster than your colleague. Whether it’s the small work chats with your boss or a quick coffee with the officials in human resources, these small things can help in a quicker promotion. So, “network with internal stakeholders,” suggest Sayer and Sakellariou.

#7 Be Indispensable

With all the hard work put in, show the boss that it is extremely difficult to do without you. “The more employees and managers who consider you to be an indispensable resource, the better your chances for promotion,” adds Sayer

#8 Time it

Even though you’ve done well and think you deserve a promotion, it all boils down to timing. Never ignore that, suggest experts.

“If your company is cutting expenditures or had a bad quarter, it’s probably not the ideal moment to ask for a promotion,” suggests Sayer.

“Be familiar with your company’s protocol, as some consider promotions during annual performance reviews only. Also, pay attention to timing when you schedule a conversation with your supervisor. The best times are generally when your manager has a lighter workload and is more likely to feel open-minded and relaxed,” he adds.