Tips for Securing Promotions and Recognition with Sherrika Sanders

Navigating the professional world, particularly when striving for promotions and recognitions, requires strategic self-advocacy and awareness.

In our latest episode of HR Leadership Lessons, I had an insightful conversation with Sherrika Sanders, who shared invaluable tips and personal experiences on this topic. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to position yourself effectively for career advancement and ensure your contributions are recognized.

Watch the full interview here:

Maintaining composure and being aware of your industry, your identity, and the biases that exist are crucial. Sherrika emphasizes the importance of playing the game strategically. This involves being aware of how you’re perceived and understanding the dynamics of your workplace.

Some key points include:

Awareness: Know the industry you're in, your identity, and the perceptions and biases that may exist.

Strategic Navigation: Understand that while it's frustrating to consider biases, navigating them is essential for career progression.

Professionalism: Always maintain professionalism, even when faced with setbacks or challenges.

When it comes to asking for a promotion, preparation is key. Sherrika highlights the importance of collecting evidence of your contributions and being able to present it effectively:

Kudos Folder: Keep a folder of all your achievements, accolades, and positive feedback. This serves as tangible proof of your contributions and successes.

Salary Research: Use resources like salary.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Handbook to gather data on appropriate salary ranges for your role and region.

Impact on Organization: Frame your request in terms of how your promotion or raise will benefit the organization, not just you personally.

It's important to handle rejection professionally and use it as a stepping stone for future opportunities. Here’s how to approach a “no”:

Seek Specific Feedback: If your request is denied, ask for specific reasons and constructive feedback. Understanding why you were turned down can help you address those areas and improve.

Follow-Up Plan: Develop a time-specific plan to achieve the necessary milestones and revisit the conversation once you've met those goals.

Document Everything: Send a follow-up email summarizing the discussion and the agreed-upon steps. This creates a record that can be referred back to if needed.

As a leader, it's also your responsibility to advocate for your team members. Sherrika shares an example of helping an introverted team member gain visibility:

Visibility: Encourage your team members to take on visible roles in projects and meetings. This helps others see their contributions.

Support: Provide support and guidance to help them step out of their comfort zones and demonstrate their capabilities.

Always strive for personal and professional growth. Sherrika advises:

Show Up for Yourself: Continuously prepare for the next role by developing the necessary skills and showing initiative.

Networking and Mentorship: Engage with mentors and expand your professional network to gain insights and opportunities.

Self-advocacy and strategic navigation are essential for career advancement. By maintaining professionalism, preparing thoroughly, handling feedback constructively, and advocating for both yourself and your team, you can effectively position yourself for promotions and recognitions.

Remember, your reputation precedes you, and showing up for where you want to be is crucial for your growth.

Sherrika Sanders is the Owner/CEO of Transform the GAAP, where she helps accounting teams increase productivity and efficiency by showing them how to streamline processes, reconcile the Balance Sheet, and other technical skills, in addition to real-life skills like effective communication, conflict resolution, and leadership development.

Sherrika teaches accountants how to advance in their careers from stagnation to strategic growth. She leverages her 15+ years of experience as an accomplished corporate accountant to realign other accountants with who they are, how they show up, and how to thrive in any professional setting as they advance in corporate America. Sherrika holds a Bachelor's in Accounting, an MBA, and a Master's in Organizational Leadership.

Connect with Sherrika Online:

https://www.transformthegaap.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrikasandersaccountantcareercoach/

http://www.youtube.com/@sherrika_accountantcareercoach

https://www.instagram.com/sherrika_accountantcareercoach/

https://www.facebook.com/transformthegaap/