Steps to Get Promoted Faster

I became an Amazon VP 20 years into my career. Meet Ryan Peterman, who became a Meta Staff Engineer in 3 years! He and I have each discovered and used the same process by different names: 1) He says "Exceed expectations at your level." I have called this "Do your job well." Whatever you call it, you cannot approach your manager about growth without first nailing your current job. 2) He says "Be direct with your managers about promotion." I have said, "Ask your manager how you can help the group that helps you grow." Both are conversations about your desire to do more and move up. 3) He says "Find next-level scope." I call my approach the Magic Loop and tell you to repeat asking for growth each time you finish a project or master a new responsibility. Both are about growing your scope to the next level. 4) He says "Maintain next-level behaviors and impact." Again, I say "repeat" the Magic Loop, which includes "Do your job well." Once you have expanded your responsibilities to new, harder challenges, then you must again demonstrate mastery. Ryan is today's Newsletter guest author, and he provides 12 pages of deep detail on how to "Speedrun" the promotion path from entry level to Staff Engineer. Read his article here: https://lnkd.in/g95v2SiW For the IC engineer track, it's hard to imagine going faster than Ryan did, so read his advice. For leaders, here is my actual career in summary: 1993: Engineer 1995: Lead Engineer / TPM 1996: Manager 1998: Director (midsize company) 2000: VP (startup, ~30 team members) 2001: VP (startup #2, ~15 team members) 2004: VP (startup #3, ~15 team members) 2005: Sr. Manager (Amazon, 6 team members) 2007: Director (Amazon, 22 team members) 2013: VP (Amazon, 500 team members) 2020: “Retired” to build my business, age 50 I made it to VP relatively young because I moved up quickly and consistently. Here is how you can move up as fast as possible: 1) Get recognized early. The first 30–180 days in a new role are crucial. Enter with a clear learning plan and work hard. First impressions last. 2) Understand what your manager needs. Do your job well. Ask what else your manager needs, then take care of it. As you get familiar, anticipate those needs without asking. Repeat this. 3) Get recognized. People who share their wins get promoted. Share your wins with your manager, skip-level, and others. 4) Take risks. Big wins require risk. Sometimes you’ll fail and need to recover--but no one builds a standout career by playing it safe. 5) Get specific guidance. This advice is general. To move faster, get targeted help: courses, coaching, and expert materials. For those aiming at executive leadership, enroll in one of my cohorts of Break Through to Executive: https://lnkd.in/gJ-HgWdk

I say the same thing to every SDR trying to get promoted to AE. It's what got me promoted in sub 10 months, fastest in my SDR class. You have to treat it like the 1st deal, you will ever close. It will never just be given to you. 1. Obvious Business Case First and foremost - you need to exceed your current numbers. Nothing else matters here if you aren't a top, consistent performer. Get it done. 2. Build Champions You should have very close relationships with your manager and other teammates that would vouch for you. The type that would fight back if they were told "you aren't ready." 3. Uncover the decision process Understand clearly what has to take place for you to get promoted. If there are certain targets you have to hit or time thresholds in place. 4. Identify Decision Makers + Get to Power Learn who the real decision is ultimately up to. Ask to meet with them and others apart of the decision. Make your intentions known that you want to get promoted. Learn what reservations they have about you and what gaps lie. 5. Seek out the risk and build an action plan After you hear what reservations they have or gaps standing in the way of your promotion, build an action plan. Document everything you do. Heck, even build a mutual success plan with them. Wouldn't that be impressive? Instead of just continuing to tell them you want the role of AE. Make sure you SHOW them you are ready for that role. Take the process by the horns. 🦙 P.S. Join 1,000+ sellers that have downloaded my (free) account planning template: https://lnkd.in/gYwCjD2Y

If you want a promotion within the next six months—waiting around won’t get you there. It took me many years to learn this lesson. ➡️  80% of promotions go to those who are proactive, not just the hardest workers.  ⬅️ There are two types of HR professionals: those who wait for recognition and those who create opportunities. If you’re in the first group, you might be working tirelessly but still find yourself overlooked when promotions come around. 𝗪𝗵𝘆? Because promotions are not just about doing your job well—they’re about being seen doing it. Here’s what you can do to move into the second group and secure that promotion within the next six months: 1️⃣  𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀: Volunteer for projects that get you in front of leaders. This shows you’re ready to take on more responsibility. 2️⃣  𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆: Build relationships across departments. The more people know about your work, the better your chances of being considered for advancement. 3️⃣  𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Document your successes and share them in meetings. If you don’t highlight your contributions, who will? 4️⃣   𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆: Take advantage of any learning opportunities. Whether it’s mastering a new tool or attending a workshop, continuous improvement makes you more valuable. 5️⃣  𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: Don’t wait for annual reviews. Ask your manager for feedback often, then act on it. It shows you’re committed to growth. 6️⃣   𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: Helping others succeed enhances your leadership skills and shows you’re a team player. 7️⃣   𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: Let your manager know you’re interested in moving up. Don’t assume they’ll notice—make it clear. Remember, staying silent or waiting patiently won’t get you where you want to be. Take action, and you’ll see the results. ♻️ Share this post if you believe in creating your own opportunities. #Adamshr #Hrprofessionals #humanresources #HR Stephanie Adams, SPHR