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Getting promoted is not easy, even for those who have all the right credentials, skills and prospects, and are looking for career advancement solutions. There are so many competing factors involved that can go against even the most well-suited candidate.
Did you know that one third of middle managers looking to be promoted never realize their dreams? 
The timing could be wrong or their boss might not be ready for them to leave mid-project, for example. Also, many people aren’t ready. That’s the simple truth. They just don’t have what it takes to be senior management material. They lack the skills and experience to be a true leader.

However, there is another reason – their boss doesn’t think they are promotion material.
If you feel this might be you there are things you can do to discover your career advancement solutions. 
Let’s take a look.

1. Dress Like the Job is Already Yours

Tomorrow morning get up early and take a good, hard look at your wardrobe. Is that shirt, trousers or shoes looking tired? Are your skirts and dresses a little worn?
Nothing says, “I’m not promotion material” like scuffed shoes or a crinkled shirt. 
Think seriously about how you are presenting yourself in meetings and at office events, not just how you look each day. Are your clothes sending the right message? Are they saying, “I am promotion material”, “I am confident and ready for the challenge!”?
If not you are not sure how to improve your look grab a few business magazines and look at what the people in them are wearing. As well, is there someone at work you look up to? What do they wear each day? Dress like the job is already yours and you’ll feel more confident. This is bound to impress your boss.

2. Keep a Record of Your Achievements 

Start a running tally of your achievements. This doesn’t have to be only those big projects you were a part of, but small things as well. Consider your sales numbers, project results, and begin to gather client feedback.
Make a sheet which you can use each day to mark down your accomplishments. As well, send an email to your boss highlighting them at the end of each project. This will serve to remind them of your skills, and help you keep track of them too.

3. Pay Attention to Who Gets Promoted

Start taking note of who gets promoted in your company. This doesn’t just mean in your team, but in the entire company. Make notes about the type of person who gets promoted, and see if you can find a pattern.
Do they stay back later than anyone else? Do they go beyond the sales records every time? What do they wear? Are they always on time for meetings, and are they super organized?
This might take time, but eventually you’ll get a clear picture of what you need to do be better at your job, and make sure you are promotion material.
If you can’t see a pattern, that doesn’t matter. At least you are beginning to build a better picture of the sort of person your company promotes, and then it’s just a matter of making sure next time that’s you.

4. Look for Ways to Help Out

Look for opportunities to offer extra help in your company. This doesn’t mean staying back late and doing extra work, you should be doing that already.
What you might find are areas where you have experiences that go beyond your normal job role. Does your company have a charity that they need help fundraising for? Is there a social committee looking for new and interesting ideas for functions? What about the company newsletter or social media presence? Are there ways you could contribute to these?
As well as being seen to be more helpful, you’ll gain skills and meet more people in your company. This is going to raise your profile and get your name mentioned more, and your boss is going to hear a lot more about you.

5. Make Your Promotion Goals Known

Without being too pushy, make sure that your boss knows that you are ready to be promoted. Perhaps the reason they don’t think you are promotion material is because they simply don’t know how much you want it.
During reviews mention that your goal is to grow within the company, and ask for your boss’ advice on what you can be doing now to eventually be ready for the next level. 
Find others who have been at the company for some time, and ask what their career journey was like. You may gain valuable insight and advice that’ll help you along the way.

6. Upgrade Your Skills and Get Re-Trained

Are the skills you have now a little out of date? Study what is required to be a senior manager and if you don’t have the skills do some courses, and get them. Ask to go to industry conferences, as well. 
Find out how to write great press releases or how to manage multiple teams at one. As well, doing management training courses or social media courses is a great way to show just how much you are prepared to do to be a valuable member of your company.
Any type of course you do will come in handy when you’re ready to move up to that next level.
Whether your boss thinks you are ready to be promoted or not is out of your hands. However, there are many things you can do to ensure that you are ready and make sure they know it too!
Good luck!

And always remember:

Great managers are made. Not born.

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