How To Earn That Promotion

Why do most of us want a promotion? Money, responsibility, management opportunities or simply to take the next step may all be good reasons. However, in many cases the path to the promotion can be filled with forks in the road, pot holes and even quick sand. At Ag1Source we have watched many candidates work their way from one role to another and get promoted because they did a great job working on one or more of the following tasks that led to that promotion.

•  Deliver fantastic results in your current role—When an employee delivers outstanding results in their current role, one of two things usually happens. First, they get paid more because the organization doesn’t want to lose them and/or they get promoted to spread the knowledge and experience they have gained to others around them. 
• Talk with your Supervisor—A frank discussion during your annual review may pave the way to added responsibility and a chance to earn a promotion by working on some skill areas that may need improvement. 
• Be a leader—Each of us has opportunities to lead those around us. Either during a busy time when people are spread thin, or when a very important project comes along. If you think you are ready, volunteer, grab the bull by the horns, or step up at the right time. Show the people around you that you have a vision for where the company should go and help them to succeed. 
• Fly the company flag—Dozens of times a day you run into customers, town folk, or even suppliers that ask how things are going. In those interactions be positive! Talk about how well the company is doing and be the company’s best promoter/recruiter/marketing person. Positive people can have a big impact on the business and that gets noticed. 
• Be persistent and patient—Promotions don’t happen over night! It may take months or even years for the organization to promote the person in front of your, or a merger may shake up the entire system. Regardless, promotions happen after you’ve earned them and the organization is ready for you to assume that role. Work every day to demonstrate your ready, but be patient for the right time within the organization.
• You may need to relocate—Many organizations are getting very large and cover a lot of geography. An employee that is willing to move 50-100 miles to another location may have a BIG advantage and opportunity to get promoted. 
• Bust your tail—While all of the items listed above are critical to getting promoted, the most important thing our clients look for in people are those that work hard, every day, day in and day out. Working hard and smart gets noticed and opens doors to promotion faster than just about anything else.

 Using the above list of ideas, make your plan for how you can positively impact your organization and earn that next promotion.

To Apply or Not To Apply That is the Question

Most of us are always curious about how we compare to others in similar jobs, and we all find ourselves just checking in from time to time to see what other positions might be out there that we might fit. Am I right? It’s kind of like checking the dashboard. So it’s not surprising that we have a high volume of web page viewers, reading over the job descriptions, as do many other sites. To apply or not to apply becomes the viewer’s question. You’re thinking, I wasn’t really looking, but I might want to look into something more, just in case I need to. Actually, this is good thinking.



When to apply may be the better question. While there are usually a lot of positions posted at any one time, the best fit position for you may come about at any time and not just when you expect it or actually need it. It could be that you’ve seen positions that would fit, but just not where you want to be located, or a position that sounds good, but the compensation just isn’t going to work. That could be that ideal territory sales position that is listed in your region finally. The key dilemma then becomes, should you apply even if the right job in the right place is not out there, or do you apply, just to get your name in the hat, so to speak?


Kansas recruiting consultant, Mark Esfeld says, “This spring busy season is going to be all hands on deck, but for our top clients they are asking us to source candidates NOW that they can talk to in June.” So, this means that even if there isn’t a position listed out there that appears to fit, it actually is better to apply early and just not select a job at that time. Applying without selecting a specific position means that the information will be sent to a consultant working that industry area and the geographic region of interest. What it really does is that it allows consultants to view and work on your file prior to the right position opening up.


“For example, the seed industry has a good number of open positions that they have asked us to fill in May and June. While the interviews may happen during the busy retail spring season, they are all telling us they will be flexible to interview on rainy days, weekends or evenings.” Mark Waschek, recruiting consultant Minnesota office. This means that many times positions may not be fully released and posted, yet we know what may be coming up. There can be substantial work done on preparing candidates so that the interview process can happen timely when they do come open. It’s kind of like knowing when to be first in line for the “big event”.


To answer the question of, to apply or not apply, the answer is Apply Now. Ag 1 Source operates under a strict policy of not releasing Information until a candidate has been briefed on the prospective employer. Information is always kept confidential. It’s a lot easier to develop a solid understanding of a candidate’s skills and style when the pressure is not on rather than trying to match someone up in a short amount of time. Our recruiting consultants will work to get you considered for roles that you fit within your schedule and the clients schedule, but we need your resume and background information now before you get busy.


Want to apply? Just go to this link (insert) and build a confidential file. Use the fields on the online application form to explain what it is you are looking for and where. You can also expand on your top skills and accomplishments. Details are helpful.