Top 5 signs that you’re promotion ready

Do you feel restless in your current role? Have you been having a sneaky search on the internet in your lunch break to see what other job opportunities in tech are out there?

You want to feel reinvigorated about your career, especially if you’re at a stage in life where you might be thinking to the future, about buying property, marriage and kids. As a recent study on employee development shows, 87% of Millennials think career progression is very important to their work life. But are you really ready for a promotion?

We work with candidates and companies every day, searching for the best talent in the industry, so here’s our advice for how to know that you’re ready for the next step in your career.

Are You Ready For a Promotion?

1 – You’re excelling in your current role

Are you getting glowing feedback from your manager? Do you feel like your colleagues depend on you and ask for your advice – whether spotting an error in a line of code or how to better manage a team of remote developers? If things feel satisfying and steady in your job most days, then there’s a good chance you’re ready to take on some new challenges.

2 – You have strong leadership skills

Leaders can be found in any corner of a company, it’s not always a linear progression to get to the top jobs. If you think you have the ambition to manage a team, don’t be disheartened if you can’t see a clear path from where you currently are. Any good manager or recruitment specialist will look beyond traditional work experience to find good leaders. If you’re a strong communicator, you’re confident about your work, honest with your peers and seniors and command respect, this will be noticed by all the right people.

3 – You understand the company and represent them well

Do you find yourself chatting about your company to friends in the pub on the weekend? Have you been known to wear a branded t-shirt? Perhaps you’ve already been asked to represent the team at a meeting or event because your boss knows that you understand the company’s “big picture” goals. If you value the company, they will value you too.

4 – You’re proactive and eager to learn more

“Going above and beyond” is one of the biggest cliches in the recruitment book, but it does ring true, especially when it comes to getting a promotion. Managers and recruiters will be impressed by signs that you’re learning a new skill, taking on extra responsibilities, embracing change and showing an interest in improving the company.

5 – You deal with setbacks and failure well

We’re not saying you have to be the perfect employee to get a promotion. Things going wrong is an inevitable part of any job. And oftentimes it actually brings a team together and brings better end results. Being able to admit failure and solve problems shows the maturity that’s needed to get a promotion.

How To Achieve A Promotion This Year

Know your career path

You don’t need to have it all figured out, but find your strengths and interests within the tech sector and make sure your next move aligns with what you want for the future.

Prove you’ve taken on additional responsibilities

Have the duties of your job changed since you were first hired? Take note of the extra duties you do, especially if they benefit the team or company as a whole.

Show that you’ve added value

Whether it’s through winning a new client or making changes so projects run more efficiently, if you’re making or saving money for the company, make sure your work is getting noticed.

Get certified

For many advanced tech roles, certifications can unlock doors to bigger and better jobs. Research what professional qualifications are available in your niche, whether it’s AWS, Cisco or MySQL.

Create your own position

Tech companies are flexible and open to change. If you don’t see a clear route to promotion from your current role, talk to your manager, they will often do what they can to keep candidates that show talent and initiative.

Is It Time For A Change?

If you’re thinking about whether you feel ready for a promotion, remember that your next great opportunity could also be outside of your current employment. As you prepare to impress your managers and show your potential within your company, it’s worth speaking to a specialist tech recruiter like Bristow Holland as well.

We help promising candidates in the tech sector in the East of England with recruitment and consultancy services. If you’re ready to make a move to take your tech career to the next level, get in touch.