What do you do if your problem-solving skills are going unnoticed for a promotion?

As much as we'd like to think we're smarter than the managers who manage us, perhaps the managers actually know what they're looking for, and maybe they're not promoting based on problem-solving skills. You really ought to ask your manager about that.

1. Collect all you contribution notes and evaluate their grade according to a level 2. According to it pack your achievements into your level expectation 3. Go to your manager and show him this research, give well structured facts and tell about your expectation 4. Come to some conclusion and take your decision based on results

Start documenting every problem you solve like a squirrel stockpiling nuts for the winter. Create a "brag sheet" where you jot down all your achievements and the impact they’ve had. It’s your personal highlight reel for when you need to remind your boss just how much of a problem-slaying ninja you are.

If your problem-solving skills are overlooked for promotion, take proactive steps to highlight your contributions. Assess your strengths and areas for improvement. Communicate your achievements clearly to supervisors, emphasizing the impact of your problem-solving abilities. Request feedback to refine your approach and garner support from colleagues. Document success through reports and emails. Seek out challenges to showcase your skills and take initiative in problem-solving tasks. Build relationships with decision-makers to increase visibility. Persistence and patience are crucial; consistently demonstrating your abilities increases the chance of being acknowledged and rewarded for your efforts.

During meetings, be the first to jump at tricky issues or offer solutions to ongoing problems. Don't wait for an engraved invitation to showcase your skills. It’s like raising your hand in class with the answer; if you never raise it, the teacher won’t know you know.

Regularly ask for feedback on your work. It's like checking your GPS; you need to know you're on the right path to your destination, which in this case is that promotion. This also signals to your bosses that you’re keen on continuous improvement.

Check in on a regular basis with your mentors and your direct managers on their expectations from you in the role rather than waiting for the mid-year / end of the year review. Course correct and reveal intentions and the passion to continue your journey towards the milestone to emphasize your willingness to sweat it out if needed.

Share your problem-solving wisdom by mentoring your colleagues. Not only does this highlight your skills and leadership, but it also makes you the office Yoda. Everyone remembers the wise mentor who helped them, especially when promotion discussions happen.

No learning ever goes waste - especially in the technology world where things rapidly change. The best motivation is to be a better version of yourself every single day. You (today) should definitely be better than You (yesterday). The idea is to keep abreast of the changes with the tool stack that you operate on and learn continuously.

Constantly upgrade your toolbox. Learn new methodologies or technologies relevant to your field. It’s like adding special moves to your video game character; the more you have, the better you’ll perform in battles (or boardrooms).

A "hello" goes a long way in establishing an acquaintance which goes a long way in having "friends" at work - Networking definitely helps out when collaborating with other teams for work or even outside of work. Workplaces are making genuine efforts by means of social events, volunteering events, townhalls, etc. to make people come together - these events are definitely a hot spot for networking with other colleagues, learn what other teams are working on, contribute to shared goals, etc.

Make allies across different departments by attending company events or joining internal committees. The more people know you and what you’re capable of, the more likely your name will pop up in promotion talks. Think of it as campaigning for office, but with less baby kissing and more coffee grabbing.

Visibility is key. Make sure your problem-solving doesn’t just solve problems but is seen solving them. Sometimes, it’s not just about the work you do, but also about the narrative you build around your work. If all else fails, a problem-solving magic show at the next company party could also do the trick.