How to get noticed at work for a promotion

Okay let me level with you. If you asked every single person whether they would like a promotion or not, 99.9% of people would say yes. That 0.01% of people are either one of the few that are truly content with their work life or they’re liars. My bet is on liars.

In all seriousness though - gaining a promotion at work is one thing that we’ve all desired at least once in our professional life. And the first step to gaining a promotion is being recognised for it in the first place. 

How to get promoted at work

Many of us would love to be promoted. Advancement within the workplace typically means more influence, more money and more control over your day-to-day tasks. Honestly, there’s not too much negativity revolving around a promotion, particularly in STEM related fields. 

However, promotions aren’t just handed out because you want them. You need to earn your promotion by first acting in a way that’s promotable. Sounds pretty simple right? Wrong. It takes a lot of desire to improve and better yourself, and show value in the company that you’re a part of.

So how can you get promoted at work?

Firstly - you need to be good at your job. I know what you’re thinking. This sounds obvious doesn’t it.  But if you aren’t performing above-average in your job, getting promoted will be pretty tough. The outlook for STEM careers varies greatly by industry however being adept at life, physical, and social sciences are going to be your key to a promotion. 

But being good at your job isn’t enough – being good at your job just proves that you are good at your current job. So whether you’re a biomedical engineer, computer programmer or geoscientist, you need to prove to your employer that you can successfully take on that next challenge. To be promoted, you essentially need to prove that you’d be good at a larger, more influential job. 

So now, what’s the difference between a high performing employee who will stay in their role forever and a high potential employee who wants to quickly climb the corporate ladder?

Ambition. Plain and simple. 

A high performing employee will do their job well, yes. But their performance reviews will look the same every single year. They will have a similar portfolio of strengths and weaknesses, very rarely adhering to new and expressive ways of learning in their job.

Conversely, the high potential employee proves to their employer that they are not just going to excel in the role they have, but push themselves to continually improve. This means they take on new and different responsibilities. It means they aren't afraid of lateral moves, if it means the chance to master new skills. It means they actively solicit feedback from others to understand their weaknesses and figure out how to strive for that promotion.

If you do those things, it’ll show that you have a growth mindset, not a fixed one. And that’s how you become seen as a high potential employee, instead of just a high-performing one.

How long does it take to get a promotion?

Another question that truly varies from job to job, industry to industry. If we’re talking about STEM specific job promotions there’s a fairly simple way to ensure a promotion is in your sights. 

Naturally, a promotion can occur anywhere between 6 months and 10 years. In STEM, you can achieve a promotion much faster than that depending on your field. But before you can think about moving up, you need to demonstrate your capability in the position you are in. 

It’s pivotal to continue learning and improving in your first role for at least 12-18 months. There’s very little that can be more powerful than time. Time will allow you to learn the job expectations, learn YOUR specific company environment and learn what it takes to achieve measurable results.

Want to know a secret? Most companies within STEM related fields WANT to promote you. You just need to prove yourself first. It takes time to show if you are capable in your current position. 

The most important trait to have when seeking a promotion in STEM

Look, there are a number of traits that I could list. But one in particular really comes to mind. Flexibility. 

Flexibility is crucial in any field, but is particularly valuable in STEM fields. And I’m going to explain why. 

We live in a world where technological advancements are happening daily. It’s become “the norm” to see technology expand beyond our wildest imagination. And with all of that technological advancement, companies need to change too. If you are flexible and capable of adjusting your approach, you will have more success in your job, which will ultimately lead to more promotion possibilities. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of other ways to get a promotion at work. For example, consensus building is a crucial skill to mediate conflicts, which will inevitably arise in work environments. Another thing that just takes experience to improve is the development of specific technical expertise.

Most graduates entering STEM fields already have good technical skills, and companies tend to hire talent for technical skills. So if you have those technical skills, you already have a leg up on the competition! Some companies even go as far as paying for you to further your education and pursue masters degrees. 

The skills that really come from experience, however, are soft skills. It’s usually not the inability to do the job that leads to someone getting fired. One of the most common “job-ending conflicts” is the inability to cooperate. An employee who is not willing to listen to and learn from other people’s perspectives is not a good employee.

Your real success will come from working in teams. Skills that can’t be taught in a classroom are just as, if not more important. So next time you’re about to go into a meeting, do it with an open mind, focus on forming cross-functional groups and doing what you can to get results. That promotion will be waiting for you. 

How to get a promotion?

In conclusion, there are multiple ways in which you can gain a promotion. It doesn’t just happen overnight. But the key takeaway from potential STEM promotions comes from exceeding expectations and showing initiative. Going above and beyond in your line of work. Employers will ALWAYS be impressed with their employees when they are noticeably doing everything they can to go the extra yard. 

Another way to get yourself promoted is to be a continual learner. Businesses naturally change, and STEM can change even more so. Therefore what you learn one day might be obsolete in a year. Always work to adjust and enhance your skills accordingly, all while being honest and transparent. 

Technology is changing, and we need to be on the front foot in keeping up with those changes. If not, we’ll get left behind. And you know what else might get left behind? Your chances at a promotion. So make sure you’re keeping up to date with all the latest changes and advancements happening within your respective STEM field. 

And last but certainly not least, have the desire and ambition to aspire towards that promotion, and don’t be afraid of asking for what you deserve. Promotions are like anything else in this world; wanting it isn’t enough, you have to go get it!