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Promotions can be one of the most enigmatic aspects of corporate life. Is it a matter of what you know or who you know? Is it what you do for the company or what you do for yourself? Career experts say all four are important aspects of winning the promotion and getting ahead. Network –Networking is key in developing “who you know” – valuable contacts within the company and community. Mingling with colleagues and cohorts can further the knowledge and expertise to help you excel in your career, making it an equally important part of “what you know.” Successful networking can be difficult, because many consider it a step outside their comfort zone. It is nonetheless a critical part of moving up the corporate ladder. “Take the time for people to get to know you and what you’re about,” explains New York City-based career counselor and coach Lynn Berger. “This is very hard for a lot of people. Chat with people in the elevator; ask them what they’re working on. Work up to asking people to lunch.” Go the extra mile – Whether it’s helping to coordinate the company golf tournament, working extra hours and voluntarily taking on more tasks, or spearheading a major team project, do it and do it well. Make sure you develop a strong reputation throughout the company as a go-to employee who can be counted on. As you develop more contacts within your company, your good reputation will come easier, provided you are combining a solid work ethic with good networking skills. “It’s not who you know. It’s who knows you. It’s important that you become known – not for the great parties you throw or how many friends you have – but for your abilities at work and your ability to step outside of the box to get the job done,” says Keisha-Ann . Gray, senior counsel in Labor & Employment Law at New York-based Proskauer Rose. Toot your own horn – When it comes to the man versus the mission, it’s best to focus on both, says Berger. “You get promoted based on your accomplishments and the values you add, so that’s where you need to concentrate, but you do need to voice it,” she explains. “A lot of times people have the accomplishments, but they don’t promote themselves. A lot of people are reserved in talking about their accomplishments.” Form a plan – Can self-promotion ever go too far? There is a right and wrong way to go about it. For instance, a written list of career accomplishments and contributions to the company can provide a very effective visual when negotiating a promotion or raise. In order to maximize the effectiveness of self-promotion, make sure the right people are aware of your accomplishments – and at the right time. “You want to be careful about the chain of command, to make sure your boss’s boss doesn’t know something before your boss knows,” Berger says. Keep your cool – In the midst of vying for a promotion, it can be tempting to lose sight of the big picture. Be proud to be in the running for this opportunity, and remember winning isn’t everything. Don’t sacrifice office relationships for the sake of getting ahead, and don’t allow others to do so either. “If someone’s being nasty to you, it doesn’t mean you have to be nasty to them in return. Tame it down,” Berger says; adding that underhanded behavior in the office rarely goes unnoticed. “It’s certainly going to be very annoying and stressful, but as long as it’s not totally getting in your way, it’s just a matter of knowing how to handle it. If they’re doing something wrong, then you certainly need to address it and tell someone.” After winning a promotion, keep your cool during the adjustment period and don’t be too hard on yourself and expect to know all the functions of your new position. “There’s a misconception with promotions that you’re going to know everything about your new position. You won’t,” Gray says. “There will always be some insecurity, because it’s new… It doesn’t mean you can’t adjust.” On the other hand, if you lose out on promotions repeatedly, analyze what you might have done differently or whether it’s time to change companies. Sometimes the best momentum is gained from a fresh start, and forward or lateral moves are all part of navigating the corporate ladder.

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