If you’re hoping to earn yourself a promotion at work, you have to recognize that it’s not just about doing your job. You should be going above and beyond and, perhaps more importantly, avoiding certain negative employee traits. So, here are 19 things you should never do at work if you want to get promoted.
Neglecting Deadlines
When you miss deadlines at work, this can tarnish your reputation very quickly, whereas consistently meeting them showcases your reliability and commitment. In fact, as LinkedIn points out, it’s generally the bare minimum you should be doing at work. So, always prioritize time management and keep track of your tasks, set reminders, and use planning tools to stay on schedule, and you’ll no doubt earn that promotion eventually.
Ignoring Feedback
It doesn’t matter whether it’s positive or negative–feedback is essential for growth, so ignoring it can signal an unwillingness to improve. Listen carefully to what colleagues and supervisors say, and act on their suggestions. Showing that you can adapt and learn from feedback will make you a strong candidate for promotion.
Office Gossip
It’s never a good idea to participate in office gossip, as this can damage professional relationships and trust beyond repair. Staying away from such conversations shows that you are mature and focused on your work. Trust us, your employer will notice that you’re a respectful employee, something that will be high on their list for promotion candidates.
Poor Email Etiquette
Never overlook the importance of email etiquette, which reflects your professionalism and communication skills. Even if you’re friends with your coworkers and boss, it’s best to avoid slang and waffle and make sure you’re proofreading for errors. Demonstrating good email etiquette can influence how others perceive your overall professionalism, which will work wonders on your chances of promotion.
Not Taking Initiative
Sometimes, it’s wise to wait for instructions, but don’t do this on every task, as it could make you seem less competent. Most of the time, it’s best to show initiative, demonstrating that you are proactive and capable of independent thinking. Suggesting improvements or volunteering for new projects can both demonstrate your leadership potential and readiness for a higher role.
Overpromising and Underdelivering
While it’s tempting to impress, promising more than you can deliver can hurt your credibility, which isn’t sustainable if you want a promotion. It’s better to set realistic expectations and exceed them than to fail to meet lofty promises. Honesty and reliability are valued traits, and consistently delivering quality work builds trust with your team and supervisors.
Lack of Collaboration
If you want that promotion, you’re going to need to work well within a team, so failing to collaborate can lead to missed opportunities. Even if you don’t get along with your colleagues, try to, because being a team player, offering help, and sharing ideas can showcase your ability to work effectively with others.
Disregarding Company Culture
Every workplace has its own culture, and ignoring it can make you stand out negatively. On the other hand, adapting to and embracing the company culture can help you integrate better and be seen as a good fit for the organization, which is what your boss will be looking for when considering employees to promote.
Unprofessional Attire
It should go without saying that dressing appropriately for your workplace is a good idea if you want to get promoted. Unprofessional attire can distract from your abilities and make you seem less serious about your role. Even the most incredible employees might miss out on progression opportunities just because they can’t be bothered to present themselves properly.
Negative Attitude
Nobody enjoys working with a negative Nancy, as their negative attitudes can be contagious and harm team morale. So, try to maintain a positive outlook, even during challenging times, as this will make you a more appealing candidate for promotion.
Avoiding Responsibility
Promotions generally involve taking on more responsibility, so if you avoid it during your current role, this will make you seem unreliable and uninterested in advancement. Accepting and owning your tasks, even when they are difficult, shows that you are dependable, so tackle them head first, and your boss will no doubt notice.
Lack of Preparation for Meetings
Taking on more responsibility at work generally involves attending more meetings, so if you attend your current meeting unprepared, why would your boss give you a promotion? Always review relevant materials and arrive on time, ready to contribute, and you’ll be much more likely to be noticed.
Being Inflexible
Even when deadlines are tight, flexibility in the workplace is very important. In fact, being overly rigid can seriously hinder progress and adaptation. So, it’s best to embrace change and be willing to adjust your methods when necessary, showing that you can adapt to new situations, which a promotion would no doubt entail.
Not Networking
A lot of people hate doing it, but networking can open doors to new opportunities in your career. This means that avoiding it completely can limit your career growth, and your boss might notice, too. So, attend industry events, engage with colleagues, and connect with others in your field, and you’ll be in a much better position to be promoted.
Failing to Communicate
Effective communication is vital in any role, as failing to keep others informed or miscommunicating can lead to confusion and mistakes. Always strive for clear and concise communication, whether in writing or verbally. Good communication skills are essential for leadership, something you’ll need to demonstrate if you have your eyes on a promotion.
Overlooking Self-Improvement
Stagnation can be a career killer, so you need to be actively seeking out opportunities for learning and growth within your career, because otherwise, you’ll seem complacent. Your superiors aren’t going to be impressed by this, as it will seem like you’re happy with the bare minimum. So, push yourself to improve, and your efforts will no doubt be noticed.
Disrespecting Others’ Time
We might be stating the obvious, but consistently being late or wasting others’ time is never going to get you any closer to a promotion. Punctuality and respecting deadlines are crucial, so show consideration for your colleagues’ schedules by being timely and efficient in your work. Respect their time, and they’ll respect your aspiration to get a promotion.
Avoiding Difficult Conversations
Just like in any other area of life, shying away from difficult conversations is never the answer. If you’ve messed up or need to talk about a sensitive topic, address the issues directly and respectfully to demonstrate maturity and problem-solving skills. You’ll likely have to deal with such situations on a regular basis if you’re promoted, so show that you’re prepared.
Not Setting Goals
Perhaps the most important thing to never do if you’re looking for a promotion is neglect to set goals for progression. This will make it too easy for you to drift without direction. Instead, set and pursue professional goals head-on, and don’t be afraid to inform your boss about them. They’ll probably be impressed by your dedication, which will fare well for that promotion you desire.