Every 1.3 Years, I Get Promoted: Here's How

Summary

In this video, a senior professional at Microsoft shares key insights on career progression and promotion, emphasizing the importance of taking control of your career. Key strategies include building unique skills for leverage, maintaining a career journal to track growth, documenting your achievements, and being proactive in manager meetings. The speaker stresses the significance of mentorship, advocating for yourself, and knowing when to move on if promotion opportunities are limited. With a focus on persistence, this video provides valuable guidance for navigating career growth in various organizational settings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Take full control of your career and don't wait for others to manage it for you.
• 😀 Document your achievements and results regularly to support promotion discussions.
• 😀 Reflect on your career regularly by keeping a career journal to track growth and challenges.
• 😀 Leverage your specialized skills to create opportunities for career advancement.
• 😀 Be proactive in your one-on-one meetings with your manager to ensure you get the most out of them.
• 😀 Seek out mentorship naturally with senior colleagues who care about your growth.
• 😀 Understand when it might be necessary to leave a role for better career opportunities.
• 😀 Promotions are not always immediate and can require persistence and sometimes fighting for recognition.
• 😀 Start building leverage early by gaining unique skills that are valuable to your company.
• 😀 Take responsibility for your career progression and don’t rely on others to set the course for you.
• 😀 Not all promotions are predictable; sometimes they happen unexpectedly, and other times they require patience.

Q & A

What is the speaker's approach to promotions in their career?

The speaker believes in taking full control of their career, making strategic decisions based on leverage, skills, and the need for personal growth. They emphasize that while early career decisions may be limited, experience and skill development allow for more influence over one's career trajectory.

How does the speaker define a promotion?

A promotion, for the speaker, is not just about a title change but represents a move toward higher responsibility, increased salary, or a different role that signifies progress in their career.

What was the speaker's first decision when facing an unsatisfactory work situation?

In their first job, when they felt stuck despite meeting performance metrics, the speaker's decision was to leave the company, realizing it wasn't the place for further growth.

Why is developing a unique skill set important for career advancement?

By developing a skill set that is valuable to the organization, the speaker was able to gain leverage, making it easier to push for promotions. This emphasizes the importance of becoming indispensable to the company.

What is the role of a career journal in professional growth?

A career journal helps the speaker track progress, reflect on experiences, and document their achievements. This practice allows for greater clarity on career goals, helps prevent being stuck in a role for too long, and supports self-reflection.

How does the speaker recommend handling one-on-one meetings with managers?

The speaker advises taking responsibility for the agenda in one-on-one meetings. This includes bringing up any challenges, seeking support, and ensuring the manager is aware of progress and needs.

Why does the speaker recommend keeping documentation of one's achievements?

Documenting achievements, whether in a formal system or a personal document, helps when advocating for promotions. It provides concrete evidence of success, making it easier to present accomplishments during promotion discussions.

What is the importance of mentorship in career growth?

Mentorship is vital for career development. However, the speaker highlights that mentorship should come from individuals who are genuinely invested in your professional growth and not from strangers or formal, paid services.

What is the speaker's perspective on promotions that don't happen immediately?

The speaker acknowledges that sometimes promotions take time, and it might require leaving a company to return for the next opportunity. They also mention that promotions might come without warning, sometimes requiring persistence and negotiation.

What advice does the speaker give about seeking promotions early in one's career?

The speaker advises that early in your career, promotions may be less within your control. It's crucial to focus on developing valuable skills, building relationships, and gaining experience, which will increase your leverage and help secure future promotions.