#12: How to Get on the Promotion Shortlist: Be in the Consideration Set Before Your Dream Job Opens

Are you positioning yourself for career growth, or are you waiting for opportunities to appear?

In this episode of Promoted: Stop Doubting, Start Leading, we dive into the critical strategy of getting into the consideration set—the shortlist of candidates leadership thinks about when new roles open up.

The reality is that hiring managers often have a list of potential candidates before a job is even posted. If you're not on that list, you're already behind. Learn how to strategically build visibility, develop key relationships, and make sure decision-makers know your impact—long before your dream job becomes available. Don't leave your career advancement to chance. 

Key Takeaways:

• Start before you need to. The best time to build relationships with decision-makers is before you’re looking for a promotion. Be proactive.

• Make yourself visible. Your results won’t speak for themselves if the right people don’t know about them. Advocate for yourself.

• Identify and bridge skill gaps. Understand the competencies required for your next role so you can start developing them early.

• Expand your influence strategically. Build credibility with your boss, colleagues, cross-functional teams, and leadership to strengthen your position.

• Master self-promotion. Learn to communicate your achievements in a way that highlights your leadership, business impact, and future potential.

“Being great at your job isn’t enough—people need to know you’re great. Advocate for yourself so that when opportunities arise, you’re already in the conversation.” - Karen Gombault

Your next promotion isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart. If you want to be on the shortlist for leadership opportunities, you must actively position yourself for success. Start laying the groundwork now by building relationships, developing the right skills, and ensuring your contributions are recognized. Even if you don’t know your exact next step, preparing today ensures you’ll be ready when the right opportunity arises.

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