How to Advance in a Company

Trying to impress the leadership in your organization can be a lot like trying to date the prom queen -- there is real danger of looking desperate. The best approach is to be a go-getter, but be reliable. In other words, it's important to take on extra assignments, but do so only if you are able to complete them thoroughly and on time. This is a sure way to get noticed by your superiors.

In general, the best way to impress your boss and other leaders in your organization is to be incredibly good at your current job. This is because anyone who is considering you for a promotion is going to first evaluate your current and past performance. And if being an ace at your work isn't enough to get you the job you want, here are some additional tips for getting noticed by the boss:

Lastly, be sure your boss and others on your team are aware of your good work. Send a weekly summary of achievements to all concerned parties and keep a list of your major accomplishments and milestones that you can refer to during your performance reviews [source: CareerBuilder.com]. And don't be discouraged if your efforts don't immediately pay off. It takes time to build up a solid reputation in an organization. Just be consistent, and your reward is sure to come.

Once you've thoroughly impressed the top brass in your organization, you'll probably be in a good position for taking on more responsibilities and earning more money. In the next section, we offer tips for successfully changing roles within your organization.

Sometimes changing roles at work can feel like a major transformation -- like you've just stepped into someone else's shoes, and you're not sure what to do first. Unfortunately, others may also have a hard time accepting you in your new role. This is basic human nature, so don't take it personally. The good news is there are some things you can do to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Before you take that important step forward in your company, be sure to establish as many good working relationships as you can, and this includes people in lower positions within the company. You can never have too many friends at work -- whether it's the receptionist, the mail room clerk or the one guy in the office who knows how to fix the copier. You need all the support you can get.

Once you do land the new assignment or promotion you've been dreaming about, be sure not to let the added pressure of your new role get the better of you. Sometimes moving up means increased anxiety, loss of sleep, co-worker resentment and a whole host of political issues within an organization. Build in time to take care of yourself and be sure to focus on keeping peace within your immediate team. Stress is a newly promoted employee's worst enemy.

Another point to keep in mind is that most people are so focused on moving upward in a company that they overlook the benefits of lateral moves. You may be stuck in a professional rut, or perhaps your current position has never been the best fit for you. In that case, any change at all can inspire newfound creativity and drive. This is an especially good idea if a move will increase your chances of rising later [source: Forbes].

For more tips for advancing in a company, check out the next page.

In addition to the simple strategies for impressing higher-ups and successfully changing roles in your company, which we discussed in the previous sections, here are some important key steps you should take as you climb the career ladder:

There are also some important examples of what not to do in your efforts to rise to the top. Under no circumstances should you:

Not only will these actions hurt your chances for advancement, they may even get you fired. You should also make every attempt to get along with your superiors, even if you don't always agree with them. You'll garner more respect from the higher-ups and everyone else in the organization if you show you're a team player and are generally supportive of others [source: Forbes].

Another important consideration when trying to advance your career is, avoid letting a sagging economy discourage you from pursuing your goals. Even when a company is cash-strapped, executives still may recognize strong contributions from their employees. If you know that money is tight in your organization, consider asking for a promotion without a pay increase. This can be a tough choice, especially when you've been working overtime. But don't be discouraged -- when things pick up, you'll be in a good position to pursue that well-earned raise.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, be sure to ask for what you want. Too often, good employees fail to move up in an organization simply because they do not pursue advancement. Even if you're perfectly content in your current role, you can find ways to expand your responsibilities, earn more money or do both. So no matter what your professional goals, always be aware of the opportunities that exist within your organization, as well as the requirements for achieving them.

The next page has lots more information geared toward helping you advance in a company.