12 Ways to Get Noticed for a Promotion at Work - The Muse

12 Ways to Get Noticed for a Promotion at Work - The Muse12 Ways to Get Noticed for a Promotion at WorkYouve been in the same role for years, waiting to earn that promotion youve always wanted. And not just for a better title and a bigger paycheck, but for the feeling of knowing your work is valued and your company admires what you bring to the table. However, youre not going to earn a promotion by simply sitting and waiting- youll earn it by going above and beyond in your everyday tasks. Thats why we asked 12 successful entrepreneurs from YEC to share the one trait employees should have to guarantee them a promotion later on down the road. 1. You Step Outside Your DepartmentPeople can often get stuck in their niche, team, or role. When I see someone step outside of his department and apply skills to support other teams- not to mention go out of his way to learn what others day-to-day work and challenges are- it tells me that hes willing to own his responsibilities while giving to ot hers. He sees the bigger mission of the company. - Shane Snow, Contently2. You Devise Simpler SolutionsIf one of my employees can devise a solution thats simpler than what we already use, I immediately take notice. When an employee thinks outside the box to such an extent that she individually modifies a companys processes, shes worthy of a promotion in my eyes. - Russell Kommer, eSoftware Associates Inc3. You Take OwnershipWhen you stop thinking in terms of your job description and start thinking in terms of helping the company, thats when youll truly shine. Especially with startups, managers dont always have the time and resources to tell you what to do next. By thinking like an entrepreneur, youll always stay ahead of the curve, and itll make everyones lives easier. - Elle Kaplan, LexION Capital4. You Always Go One Step FurtherGo one step further by performing tasks your manager never asked for. Im most impressed by employees who take the initiative to research, learn, and pro pose new ideas or solutions to existing challenges. Since theyre the ones performing specific tasks, theyre most suited to suggest changes in processes or workflows. - Marcela De Vivo, Brilliance5. You Set Goals and Hit ThemToo often, people communicate goals and dont hit them. Even in a relatively informal setting, if you vocalize that youll get something done by a certain date, execute on it and let people know about it (without bragging). This is a simple way to build a track record of dependability, and it makes you stand out from the majority. - Douglas Hutchings, Picasolar6. Youre CuriousHaving a positive attitude and being able to ask why are two attributes that all high-potential employees should have. Curiosity indicates a vested interest in the underlying why that drives what were doing, while a positive attitude makes you a pleasant person to be around. - Brian David Crane, Caller Smart Inc.7. You Search for Opportunities to Generate RevenueEmployees who advance the fa stest are the ones who find new ways to upsell, cross-sell, or straight out sell. That goes for employees who arent even in sales. It tells your employer that youre looking out for the company and the companys future. And, its easy for an employer to give you a raise if youve justified it with revenue. - Dan Golden, Be Found Online8. You Create ValueTake initiatives beyond your job description and create interdepartmental or cross-disciplinary collaborative teams to create value for the company. Showing interest in creating new products, features, or improvements will surely be noticed by your employer. Send emails and meeting invites to other departments, engage in conversations, and make white papers to showcase your ideas for improving the product. - Nemoy Rau, US Biometrix9. Youre PunctualIf youre on time to work and stay until the end of the day every day, I take notice. It shows that you care about the company and are putting in the effort. With such a great work ethic, you increase the likelihood of earning a promotion. - Leila Lewis, Be Inspired PR10. You Excel in Multiple RolesAny good employee can excel in their role however, only great employees will excel in multiple roles. When I see an employee step out of his comfort zone and succeed in a project or role that isnt part of his duties, Ill definitely consider him for a promotion when its time for his review. - Anthony Pezzotti, Knowzo.com11. You Show a Serious Interest in Long-Term GrowthI know its not likely Ill find an employee who cares about my company as much as I do, but I always take notice when someone works toward the long-term health of the company. Some people dont go above and beyond in their jobs, or for others, its just something they do for the paycheck. If you care about the company as a whole, then youre worth keeping around, and promotions are a good incentive. - Adam Steele, Loganix12. You Generate IdeasBy sharing ideas that save or make money for the company, you illustrat e that you deserve more responsibility and a higher income. Your ability and willingness to develop solutions that grow the company mean youre very valuable. - Abhilash Patel, Recovery BrandsPhoto of two men working courtesy of Caiaimage/Trevor Adeline/Getty Images.