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Marketing yourself for advancement within a company
Posted on 6/13/14 at 12:14 pm
Posted on 6/13/14 at 12:14 pm
There've been plenty of posts on this board in the past regarding academic majors, master's programs, interviewing, etc. And there's certainly been discussion about advancement, but let this one serve as a "best practices white board" of sorts. If their foot is in the door and they're happy with their work/company, what can a person do to differentiate and market themselves for future success within their company/line of work?
Let's assume enough experience to prove capability and create/maintain a good reputation within a company that has advancement potential - i.e. not "I'm a fantastic employee working for an 8 man firm where the owner's oldest son and I started working here together on the first day".
Let's assume enough experience to prove capability and create/maintain a good reputation within a company that has advancement potential - i.e. not "I'm a fantastic employee working for an 8 man firm where the owner's oldest son and I started working here together on the first day".
This post was edited on 6/13/14 at 12:18 pm
5
Posted on 6/13/14 at 12:26 pm to smelvis
Here are my suggestions:
* Don't point out a problem unless you have a solution
* Get emails from sales to your boss. Regardless of the business or function, this is what matters - sales. If you work in sales, well, just sell. If you work in an organization that doesn't have a direct sales team (i.e. retail), get the person responsible for P&L for your related area to notice you.
* Your best bet for getting a promotion is to leave the company. Always remember that, build your experience for your job at the next company, not your next job at your current company. Unless you are seeing tons of organic growth or massive attrition, there will always be limited upward mobility in your current spot. Businesses like to say the promote from within but that is usually just appeasement for employees.
* Don't point out a problem unless you have a solution
* Get emails from sales to your boss. Regardless of the business or function, this is what matters - sales. If you work in sales, well, just sell. If you work in an organization that doesn't have a direct sales team (i.e. retail), get the person responsible for P&L for your related area to notice you.
* Your best bet for getting a promotion is to leave the company. Always remember that, build your experience for your job at the next company, not your next job at your current company. Unless you are seeing tons of organic growth or massive attrition, there will always be limited upward mobility in your current spot. Businesses like to say the promote from within but that is usually just appeasement for employees.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 1:18 pm to Hawkeye95
quote:
* Your best bet for getting a promotion is to leave the company. Always remember that, build your experience for your job at the next company, not your next job at your current company. Unless you are seeing tons of organic growth or massive attrition, there will always be limited upward mobility in your current spot. Businesses like to say the promote from within but that is usually just appeasement for employees.
I know this is the general rule, but my company has a pretty rigid policy of promoting from within, and once you leave the company you're out for good. You will not be re-hired. They also have a pretty set structure as far as advancement and pathways.
As I've been here longer though, I've started to see ways the company is investing in people (full payment sponsorships for Executive MBA programs and international assignments would be two examples) that set themselves apart even though they're not going outside the traditional advancement and pay structure. It's so rigid it almost feels maddening on one hand, on the other it's nice to see dedication and experience compensated.
It's all about being that standout individual and setting oneself apart from the hundreds of other smart, well educated, capable people. T'would be nice if it were easier.
This post was edited on 6/13/14 at 1:19 pm
Posted on 6/13/14 at 1:38 pm to smelvis
quote:
I know this is the general rule, but my company has a pretty rigid policy of promoting from within, and once you leave the company you're out for good. You will not be re-hired. They also have a pretty set structure as far as advancement and pathways.
we have that rule. HR touts that rule. reality is no one follows that rule. You want a VP slot, its almost impossible to get. Sucks for me too, as VP is my next big jump (need HR reclassification first) and I just dont see how it could possibly happen.
But your work may be different.
international assignments aren't quite the speedway to the top anymore. they help, but the days of "executive rotation" are disappearing.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 1:41 pm to smelvis
quote:
what can a person do to differentiate and market themselves for future success within their company/line of work?
Always be in the process of creating training materials. Suckers think being irreplaceable makes them promotable; actually it means you'll be stuck at irreplaceable.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 2:05 pm to Hawkeye95
quote:
we have that rule. HR touts that rule. reality is no one follows that rule
It sure seems that they follow it here. I'm in an industry where there are only two or three other major companies, but my employer is so far ahead of everyone else in terms of market share, revenue, product quality, and channel development that leaving here for a competitor would be like leaving the New York Yankees for the Brewers.
Now, other companies are always shopping and seeing what they can pick up, but it's tough to leave.
quote:
You want a VP slot, its almost impossible to get. Sucks for me too, as VP is my next big jump (need HR reclassification first) and I just dont see how it could possibly happen.
Not to sound cliche, but it's a long hard road to VP here - you're talking at least 25 years of experience before you'd even sniff that level. I'm convinced that at least part of it, here, is being willing to outlast the competition and keep moving, taking on travel assignments, and flat out killing yourself. I know of some folks who are approaching that level and have moved 18 times in 30 years.
It's tough to have a family life and do that.
And I'm not necessarily looking for "how to become CEO" - just tips for networking and past experiences.
This post was edited on 6/13/14 at 2:09 pm
Posted on 6/13/14 at 2:06 pm to Hawkeye95
Sword rattling with another offer on the table has worked out well for a lot of people in my company.
We do have one manager that has a zero counter offer policy. It hasn't really been working out for her, though.
We do have one manager that has a zero counter offer policy. It hasn't really been working out for her, though.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 2:12 pm to TheHiddenFlask
quote:
Sword rattling with another offer on the table has worked out well for a lot of people in my company.
That kind of stuff would only serve to get an employee black-balled at my employer. Maybe even escorted out the door.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 2:24 pm to TheHiddenFlask
quote:
Sword rattling with another offer on the table has worked out well for a lot of people in my company.
its worked for me twice, once exceptionally well. but it can backfire on you.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 2:43 pm to Hawkeye95
You obviously have to be willing to take the offer on the table.
You should also be pretty valuable to your current employer if you don't want to leave.
You should also be pretty valuable to your current employer if you don't want to leave.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 2:47 pm to TheHiddenFlask
quote:
You should also be pretty valuable to your current employer if you don't want to leave.
our major competitor is offering people 20-30% more than we pay, and we aren't matching to keep. Its killing us though. 15% attrition in a year, and over 10% of total headcount is now open.
i was prepared to walk in both cases.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 2:55 pm to smelvis
Understand how your company makes money and specifically how you can affect that through your role. Try to make decisions within that context and diplomatically challenge things that seem contrary.
Be good at disagreeing. A disagreement is an opportunity to understand if there are different drivers, different information, or a different way of interpreting the same info.
I agree with others about not mentioning a problem unless you can suggest a better way of doing it.
If you aspire to a certain position in the company, don't be bashful. Go ask somebody in that role what skills are most important for what they do and if they have any career suggestions to prepare yourself for that someday. Mention it to your boss too that it is something you would like to do someday. Conversations with those people can put your name on the tip of your brain when a spot comes up.
Treat everyone with respect and do a good job with even the smallest tasks. I can't tell you how many times in my career those things have come back to help me in ways that I would not have expected.
Get the training or company certifications needed for that position, and be mindful of your tangible accomplishments. Keep a resume updated quarterly and get a sense for whether you are getting more or less qualified for that position.
Most importantly, work hard, lead by example, show initiative, and have the people around you realize that you are the kind of employee that is destined for bigger and better things.
Be good at disagreeing. A disagreement is an opportunity to understand if there are different drivers, different information, or a different way of interpreting the same info.
I agree with others about not mentioning a problem unless you can suggest a better way of doing it.
If you aspire to a certain position in the company, don't be bashful. Go ask somebody in that role what skills are most important for what they do and if they have any career suggestions to prepare yourself for that someday. Mention it to your boss too that it is something you would like to do someday. Conversations with those people can put your name on the tip of your brain when a spot comes up.
Treat everyone with respect and do a good job with even the smallest tasks. I can't tell you how many times in my career those things have come back to help me in ways that I would not have expected.
Get the training or company certifications needed for that position, and be mindful of your tangible accomplishments. Keep a resume updated quarterly and get a sense for whether you are getting more or less qualified for that position.
Most importantly, work hard, lead by example, show initiative, and have the people around you realize that you are the kind of employee that is destined for bigger and better things.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 3:31 pm to Hawkeye95
The group that isn't matching has over 100% attrition in the past 2 years. A few loyal emloyees have stuck around, but many have started and quit in that time period.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 3:37 pm to Bayou Tiger
quote:
Be good at disagreeing. A disagreement is an opportunity to understand if there are different drivers, different information, or a different way of interpreting the same info.
That's great information, thanks!
Posted on 6/13/14 at 4:36 pm to TheHiddenFlask
quote:
The group that isn't matching has over 100% attrition in the past 2 years. A few loyal emloyees have stuck around, but many have started and quit in that time period.
sounds like my wife's last job. She was there 3 years, and they completely cycled through all positions twice but hers and another in those 3 years. Their solution was to hire three vps, svp with one report - gvp with one report and vp with 2 reports. it was absurd.
we aren't quite that bad in terms of attrition but its getting to the point we can't hire fast enough. we can't even get qualified candidates through the door.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 4:48 pm to Hawkeye95
quote:
sounds like my wife's last job. She was there 3 years, and they completely cycled through all positions twice but hers and another in those 3 years. Their solution was to hire three vps, svp with one report - gvp with one report and vp with 2 reports. it was absurd. we aren't quite that bad in terms of attrition but its getting to the point we can't hire fast enough. we can't even get qualified candidates through the door.
What fields are you and your wife in - if you don't mind my asking?
That's some crazy attrition.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 7:46 pm to smelvis
Don't be afraid to assert yourself. You're there for a reason. So many people take jobs and the go hide in the shadows so they won't get fired. For the most part, bosses/supervisors love for employees to be tactfully assertive (not arrogant or cocky).
Posted on 6/13/14 at 9:55 pm to Bayou Tiger
quote:
If you aspire to a certain position in the company, don't be bashful. Go ask somebody in that role what skills are most important for what they do and if they have any career suggestions to prepare yourself for that someday. Mention it to your boss too that it is something you would like to do someday. Conversations with those people can put your name on the tip of your brain when a spot comes up.
This. You want people thinking of you as a candidate for internal positions before you even apply. I've been working extra hard on this lately trying to move from consulting to sales/biz dev at my firm and have made my plans clear to my boss. He's a good dude and has been very cool about the whole process. Sometimes you just have to ask.
Posted on 6/13/14 at 10:37 pm to smelvis
1- get to work early.
2- work hard.
3- strike oil.
2- work hard.
3- strike oil.
Posted on 6/14/14 at 9:13 am to Chris Farley
quote:
This. You want people thinking of you as a candidate for internal positions before you even apply. I've been working extra hard on this lately trying to move from consulting to sales/biz dev at my firm and have made my plans clear to my boss. He's a good dude and has been very cool about the whole process. Sometimes you just have to ask.
I've generally had similar experiences. Managers, at least where I am now, love to have promotable employees because it makes them look better as a manager. I've had one really great mentor who hammered home the importance of making yourself known and creating exposure for yourself.
Also, interesting that you're moving from consulting to sales. My company doesn't have a sales department, per se, but channel development seems to be the place everyone is trying to go here.
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