An interview with author Susan Whitcomb on her new book, 30 Day Job Promotion, that outlines how to create a plan to get promoted.
Susan Whitcomb has just released a new book, 30-Day J ob Promotion: Build a Powerful Promotion Plan in a Month [JIST Publishing, Indianapolis, IL, 2008], on how to create a plan to get promoted. The book offers guidance on identifying your motivation for the promotion, overcoming career roadblocks, timing conversations with management, aligning with corporate goals, creating an action plan and determining your compensation value. Through success stories, countless tips and great exercises, Whitcomb’s book is a must read for the ambitious career professional.
JR: What prompted you to write a book about getting promoted?
SW: This was one of those projects that kept knocking at my door. My publisher came to me and asked me to write the book as part of their Help In A Hurry Series. When I got into the research for the book and coached people on getting promoted, I became really excited about the content. There are far too many people in the work-world who are working very hard but not getting ahead. This book gives them tangible tips on how to get what they want from their work.
JR: What are three key messages you want readers to come away with?
SW:
1. This may sound heartless, but employers in general don't care too much about your professional goals. That said, don't couch your promotion goal in terms of what you want—instead, make it about the value you bring to the organization.
2. Prepare to persevere. Rarely will you walk into your manager's office and be "knighted" there on the spot. Instead, you'll be expected to prove yourself, so stay focused, produce strong results in the weeks or months to come, and follow up at timely intervals to prove to your manager that you have done (and can do) what's needed.
3. Despite the many roadblocks that might be in the way of your getting promoted, the ONLY thing holding you back from moving forward is your mindset—the belief that it can be done.
JR: From my experience, attitude is the number one ingredient that employers consider when deciding who to promote, would you agree?
SW: Yes. Related to attitude is trust. When managers trust that you will have a good attitude, give 100% effort, and come through with performances that impact the bottom-line (all of which spells making your manager look good for having the wherewithal to promote you!), your chance of promotion skyrockets.
JR: Is it really possible to get a promotion in 30 days using your strategies?
SW: Good question! I make clear early in the book that the title, 30-Day Job Promotion: Build a Powerful Promotion Plan in a Month, means that you can put a powerful plan in place within 30 days, but you can't guarantee you'll land a corner office in that amount of time. But you can definitely put a campaign in place in 30 days that shifts your manager's perspective to consider you as the "heir apparent" when opportunities become available!
Interview with Susan Whitcomb conducted on Oct 5, 2007 via email.
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