Are You Ready for the Future? How to get Your Next Promotion IEPMA-HR Training Forum Laurie LoFranco May 10, 2018

First Things First-Setting the Foundation Self Assessment Is there a Career Path for me Here? How did I get here? I fell into this job I always wanted to be in HR HR sounded like an easy job (Lol) Where do I want to go? Management Different Department Next highest position Have time for more than 1 trip to the bathroom a day

Self Assessment (continued) What strengths do I have to carry forward to my next position? College Degree Writing, Speaking, or Negotiation Skills Listening Problem Solving Project Management Analysis Computer Skills Emotional Intelligence Leadership

Self Assessment (continued) What weaknesses do I need to work on to get to the next level? Lack of Education Lack of Confidence Knowledge in the field Quality of work product Timeliness Productivity Attitude Team Work Listening/Communication Skills Professionalism Dress

Let’s Get Started Identify the goal: What position are you wanting? Is it in your department or in another department? When will it become available? Are you able to create your own opportunity? Do you need to move to another department to obtain the skills you need to move up? Find a mentor or an example to follow, even if they don’t know your following them. Create a network in and outside your department. Build relationships with people in higher positions.

We are all Actors on a Stage Going to work is like acting, you are being paid to play a role. How well you play the part is the key to your success. Be the kind of employee you would want to supervise. You are there to make your boss look good. It is your job to win over your boss and those around you, not the other way around. Ask your boss if you can take on some of their work. Volunteer for special assignments. Dress for the position you want. Your appearance is important – even on casual days dress smart and put together.

Attitude is Everything No one expects you to be happy about everything, so choose your battles carefully and thoughtfully. Base them on facts and not emotions. Go to your boss as a last resort – make every effort to solve the problem on your own. If you do go to your boss try to bring at least one solution with you as a suggestion. Problem Solvers get promoted! You can be a top performer, but if no one wants to work with you, your chances of promotion are slim.

Be Professional at all Times You are always being watched by others. If you live in the community you work in, be aware that members of the public see you outside of work. What you do in public matters. Keep your work relationships professional. Do not favor certain people over others. Remember that you may be supervising your colleagues someday and you do not want to form non professional relationships with those who work with you.

Be a Team Player Be collaborative – ask others opinions and gather their ideas. Give credit where credit is due – never take credit for someone else's idea or work product. Don’t be afraid to have others review your work or suggest changes to your work product. Share your knowledge.

Don’t be a Clock Watcher People don’t notice if you come in early, because no one is there. They do notice if you are always the last one to leave. Even if you leave 5 minutes after everyone else. Send emails to people after hours.

Practice Self Promotion Build a network of supporters that sing your praises. Make your boss your biggest champion and make sure he/she knows you would like to be promoted. If you feel you have “paid you dues” and there is no opening at your current employer, think about suggesting a position that would fill the departments current needs. If there is a vacant position in your department, suggest a reorganization that creates a higher position for yourself.

Make Yourself Invaluable Become a subject matter expert in a few chosen topics. Become a generalist. If you are the Benefits Specialist, don’t allow your self to be pigeon holed into only working on employee benefits. Whenever you can, get involved in other areas of Human Resources to expand your skills. NEVER SAY: “THIS IS NOT PART OF MY JOB DESCRIPTION” Do work from the next level up. If you continue doing work for only your current position, you deserve to stay there.

Conclusion You write the script for your life. It is up to you to set the course and follow the plan. Always have a back-up plan. Don’t be caught off guard. If you are not prepared when an opportunity sudden arises, you will be passed over.