How to Get Promoted at Work

Being proactive, helpful and anticipating the needs of others are just some of the ways to stand out - our guide reveals must-know tips to become an all-rounder at work

Updated 28 September 2020

How to get promoted at work is rarely talked about, even if many employees think about it regularly. In this guide, we outline proven ways to stand out and be noticed as a diligent team member who makes a difference. In any job, there’s always space to grow, learn more and step up responsibilities. Promotions don’t always come with significant pay raises, but moving up the ranks is likely to offer more job satisfaction and a sustained feeling of accomplishment.

Our Guide Covers:

Know This First - It's All About Attitude

Generally, the way to earn a promotion is to excel at your current job and have the right attitude. But beyond that, there’s a lot of ‘soft skills’ that make a difference to how you’re perceived. In many companies, your ‘personal brand management’ can be as important as the work you deliver.

In preparing this guide, we’ve included a selection of comments from MoneyHub users who contributed their insights and suggestions. The intention is to provide a complete guide and give you all the opportunities to thrive no matter where you work or what you do.

As a background, part of this guide were first published in MoneyHub Senior Researcher Christopher Walsh's column in Stuff.co.nz. If you have a tip or comment you think will help improve this guide, please contact our research team.

11 Must-Know Tips to Get Promoted at Work

Auto-schedule emails for 7:55am weekday mornings

Most email applications do this – GSuite, Outlook and Airmail (known as a ‘sending delay’) all offer the ability to schedule emails for the time you want to send them.

We believe that sending non-urgent emails after 5pm is pointless if they can be sent tomorrow. The later into the evening you send them, the more disorganised it looks. Rather than replying towards the end of the day (or starting a new chain), we suggest bulk-automating your (non-urgent) emails for the next morning. You can then write without rushing and have the confidence that your email will be sent first thing in the morning.

Once the email is sent, you’ll appear fresh, enthusiastic, and the contents will get more traction when it comes to responses. There’s nothing more satisfying than scheduling three or four emails for the next day knowing that you’re going to be taken seriously.

Never leave your desk without a piece of paper in your hand.

Again, like sending emails before office hours, this tip is all about managing the perception of your workmates. Having a piece of paper in hand gives you a purpose; you’re seen as doing stuff, and the paper shows that you’re working (and not aimlessly walking around, which is a risk if you don’t have a paper with you).

Shake the tree.

No matter the size of your workplace, people are always leaving. The best way to get ahead is to step up and take on more responsibility when people change jobs. For example, if someone hands in their notice, finding out what they do gives you an opportunity to take over some responsibilities. In almost every situation, there’s nothing more helpful to a manager than a proactive employee who anticipates a disruption (i.e. the employee leaving) and offers a solution. When you step up, you can manage more of the responsibilities and tasks you enjoy. At the same time, you can actively hand over the tasks you like least to the new replacement (or someone else if you’re not replacing the departed employee).

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh recalls his experience:
“When I worked at an accountancy firm as an auditor, we would have a dozen or so clients every year to visit. When you start, you have no choice as to what clients you work on. However, as weeks went on, you’d learn more about the clients the company had – some were interesting while others were not. The best way to line up the clients you want to work on was to find out who the manager was and express interest in working on the client. In my second year, I went up a couple of gears and kept aware of who had resigned (which was quite regular). When this happened, I’d find out what clients the person worked on and email the manager of the clients pitching my services. It didn’t take long to build up a roster of clients I loved, avoiding the random assignments that many of my workmates faced.

Identify yourself with a brand.

It’s tricky to re-invent yourself without changing jobs, and this one is best explained with examples. However, the essence of this tip is that it’s best to be associated with something ‘good’ rather than something unrelatable.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh recalls his experience:
“When I worked in Auckland, my workmate was actively involved as a volunteer for Surf Life Saving. An organisation that saves lives is very positive, so he had a lot of respect. Best of all, it was all genuine. Alongside him was a girl who was proactive in her local church. Again, the church was known for its work in the community and donating food parcels. On the flip side, there was someone who made it known he was being invited to exclusive ‘A-list’ events with ‘Auckland’s A-listers’. This was less relatable, arguably somewhat vacuous and didn’t gel well with the rest of the company. Ultimately, the more genuine and authentic you are in your personal life, the more you’ll be respected at work. Bragging about your charitable deeds is tacky and ineffective; authenticity is the key here.

Treat the office kitchen like your parents-in-law’s home.

In short, don’t leave a mess or dirty dishes. If the coffee machine is out of the milk, top it up. It may be obvious, but so many people think it’s “someone else’s job”. The reality is that it’s (usually) not – a workforce is a team, and everyone can help out by doing simple tasks. The person who dumps mugs in the sink and walks out when there is a dishwasher beside them will, in many cases, be remembered.

Be kind to everyone equally.

People talk. The least liked person at an office is the one who blatantly sucks up to the powerful while ignoring others seen to be ‘less useful’. Such behaviour is, in most companies, perceived very negatively. This is best explained in an example:

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh recalls his experience:
“When I worked in Auckland, there were a couple of men at the company I worked for who, for whatever reason, weren't very nice to women. While they were fine at their job, this trait arguably influenced their reputation within the company. Needless to say, they weren't well liked, rarely put up for promotion and, presumably, didn't enjoy the work very much.

Strongly consider the optics before negotiating “improvements” such as a pay rise of flexible working (if the business is struggling)

You may want to work part-time to save the business money, but this can signal you’re less committed or focused. While MoneyHub believes flexible working is a great concept with real benefits, in many struggling businesses that won’t be an option. In addition to this, discussing a pay rise when sales are down will likely result in some push back.

Ultimately, we believe that showing commitment to your employer (without being taken advantage of) is the best demonstration of loyalty. For example, if you’re asked to increase your hours and/or responsibilities, stepping up and saying yes without hesitation is the way employers shortlist those for further promotion.

How far you climb at work is mostly about your attitude.

Being helpful, anticipating the needs of seniors and delivering quality are some of the basics of bringing the right attitude. In a nutshell, "be awesome" is the best way to be. Not dumping stuff on workmates, not going missing or avoiding trash talk about clients, customers and those you work with are some other basics.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh recalls his experience:
“When I did a summer internship while at university, I was surprised to see the varying attitudes within the intake. While everyone was really nice and happy to have the opportunity, there were a few people who couldn't be bothered (even though none of us had a confirmed place after graduation). One intern proudly told people he found the perfect hot desk spot where no one could see him instant-message all day. Another decided to quit half way through and enjoy the summer, and yet both expected to be offered a full-time positions. Neither were offered jobs. Attitude is everything".

Apply for other jobs

Applying for other jobs that are a level above your current position is a strong signal to your current bosses that they should not take you for granted. You’ll need to provide a reference, and existing employers are the best people to do this. By making your company aware that you’re looking to step up, it also makes them aware that you want a promotion.

Going to an interview is an opportunity to test your skill and professionalism in a different working culture and environment. Employees can get somewhat ‘institutionalised’, and there’s a lot to learn by attending a job interview. Even if you are not successful, you will gain invaluable insights into another organisation’s strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, if you are unsuccessful, there is a chance it changes and improves the perception you have of your current job.

Redoing your CV is great for self-reflection and looking at areas of strength and where you would like to develop your career next, whether you stay at the same company or move elsewhere.

A MoneyHub user mentions:
I work at a high school, and the Principal has repeatedly said that if you are looking for recognition and promotion, then the best way to get it is to apply for other jobs. He firmly believes that by doing so, senior management notices you.

Establish yourself as a helpful, go-to person

Again, this can be harder to do if you're already working for the company, but it's an essential skill and gives you a lot of goodwill. If you actively solve problems (without becoming a doormat or dumping ground), you'll become invaluable and learn a lot in the process. People who help others generally get more opportunities and build higher profiles which are considered during promotion rounds.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh recalls his experience:
At my first office job, there were two people who sat beside each other and had vastly different attitudes. One would eye-roll if you approached them. In one case, asking if this person needed the stapler gave rise to a blunt and rather unfriendly "does it look like I'm using the stapler?" response. The other person would always take the time to help you, explain a concept, fix a problem or generally be nice. It's no surprise that the helpful one went on to become a CFO at a well-liked SME whereas the 'stapler demon' disappeared without a trace.

Document your successes, advancements and wins (and communicate them succinctly with purpose).

Monthly emails to your performance manager or boss with the subject line 'Progress Report' (or similar) will help support your growth. If you list 5 to 10 real achievements, you'll stay ahead of the pack by being proactive.