1. Analyse your Current Position

Gaining clarity on which skills you currently have is essential for any progress. Start by assessing your role and responsibilities and determining where you need to improve and learn more. This will help you focus on the relevant areas to reach your goals. Take this a step further by creating an action plan and enlisting mentors who can guide and motivate you to achieving your ambitions.

2. Ensure Quality

The quality of your output should be your priority. Whether its designing plans or executing projects, making sure that standard guidelines are followed and exceeded will only bolster your reputation amongst colleagues and demonstrate your commitment to success. Review your work before sending on and ensure accuracy in all your designs, meet deadlines, and display excellent communication skills - all these are critical steps in showing you are reliable and capable of meeting the high standards of your organisation.

3. Ask for Feedback

Keeping abreast of how you’re perceived is crucial for any advancement. Make sure to get regular feedback from both colleagues and superiors. Receiving constructive criticism and adjusting accordingly shows that you take pride in your performance and strive to constantly develop.

4. Think Outside the Box

If you want to make your mark, bring something new to the table. Come up with creative ideas for projects or improvements to existing processes perhaps through new techniques or technologies. More importantly, don’t be afraid to voice them! 

5. Expand your Skills

To stay on top of the game, it’s important to stay updated with latest trends. Take advantage of workshops and seminars available to hone your skills and keep up with the developments in architecture and technology. 

6. Show Initiative

Taking initiative by taking on additional tasks can not only help improve the productivity of the entire team but can also demonstrate an understanding of the team’s objectives and goals. Understanding the bigger picture of the projects you’re involved in to anticipate upcoming tasks and contributing ideas can prove that you’re willing to move forward and strive for the best outcome of any situation. 

7. Take on Challenges

Stepping out of your comfort zone provides opportunities to learn and grow. Volunteer to work on new projects or challenging tasks and take ownership to demonstrate to your employer that you’re ready to take on more responsibility and prove your commitment to the role. These are valuable qualities that would put you in good stead for a promotion and earn you a reputation as a dependable employee. 

8. Be Efficient

Efficiency is key when it comes to promotion. You need to ensure that you are able to deliver on a project or task in a timely manner, whether its meeting deadlines or managing multiple tasks at once. To help with this, it’s important to understand how to prioritise and plan ahead for upcoming tasks. Understanding which tasks take precedence when juggling multiple projects is key and will help you streamline your workflow and help to build your reputation as a reliable and timely employee. 

9. Stay Engaged & Connected

Networking is invaluable! Build meaningful connections with professionals outside of your current circle, attend events, join online groups, and network — these will keep you informed of industry trends and provide advice and resources to aid your current projects and further your career, even paving the way for possible future collaboration. 

10. Be Visible

Being visible amongst your peers and colleagues is essential for getting a promotion as it will help to gain recognition for contributions which you can use to your advantage. Aim to get noticed for the skill and expertise you bring to the table. Take on additional responsibilities, speak up at meetings and make sure to document any successes. Also, having something published in industry magazines or hosting talks at events can help boost your profile. Don’t underestimate the power of visible results – they can act as a call to action for anyone looking for the next great talent – not just your employer. It’s always good to have a back-up plan after all! 

By focusing on the above tips, you can set yourself up for success and you will be well-equipped to have a positive conversation with your boss. You’ll have plenty of examples to show that you are more than ready for that promotion – one you so clearly deserve! 

Good luck & best wishes,

Team FAT