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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 s to people after hours.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.