She got 5 promotions in 6 years at IT company. Woman professional shares two rules to follow in office

In today’s competitive workplaces, climbing the corporate ladder often takes more than just hard work. Internal promotions, lateral moves, and stretch assignments have become key to long-term career advancement. But what does it actually take to rise through the ranks in today’s job market? For one woman professional at a tech company, the answer came down to following two practical rules—an approach that helped her earn five promotions in just six years.

Do The Job Before You’re Promoted

According to Business Insider, one of her main strategies was straightforward: consistently perform at the level above your current role. She made it a point to understand what responsibilities came with the next position and began adopting those tasks before being asked.

This included volunteering for assignments typically handled by more senior colleagues, such as leading presentations or managing key stakeholder communications. These efforts allowed her to showcase her capabilities and made it easier for her manager to advocate for her advancement.

She stressed that working beyond your job description only pays off when done with clear purpose. Without alignment between your efforts and long-term career goals, taking on extra work can lead to burnout.

Clarity and Communication with Managers

Another rule she followed was maintaining open, honest conversations with her supervisors. Early in her career, she regularly asked for clarification on role expectations and how success was measured at higher levels. These discussions gave her a clear roadmap and allowed her to align her actions with company-defined benchmarks.

While excelling in her core responsibilities, she also participated in special projects and cross-functional initiatives. These not only broadened her skill set but also demonstrated leadership potential—one of the key criteria considered during promotion reviews.

What Experts Say About Getting Promoted

Career experts point out that internal growth has become increasingly valuable, especially in today’s job market where external hiring has slowed due to economic pressures. Employees already embedded in a company are seen as more adaptable and less risky, making them ideal candidates for new roles.

Promotion readiness isn’t just about output—it’s about perception. If colleagues turn to you for solutions or you’re already handling tasks outside your scope, that’s often a sign you’re ready to move up. However, many promotions happen through informal networks and early conversations, not formal applications. Experts advise that being seen as dependable across departments can significantly boost your chances.

They also recommend taking charge of your development—whether that’s learning new tools, tackling cross-team challenges, or solving real business problems. Instead of asking directly for a title, professionals should focus on increasing their impact and visibility. Sharing results in team meetings or updates helps keep your contributions top-of-mind for decision-makers.

Building advocates inside the organization is another essential factor. These are colleagues or leaders who can speak for your work in promotion discussions. Alongside mentorship, having internal supporters increases your chances of being considered when opportunities arise.

Lateral moves can also pave the way for future promotions by diversifying your experience and expanding your understanding of the business. Ultimately, career growth comes down to preparation, performance, and presence. Acting like a leader before you’re officially named one—just as this professional did—can often be the deciding factor in climbing the ranks.