Tips for pitching your boss
When you pitch your boss, try to do it in a time when he or she is not stressed or too busy. This may be the biggest task you face! A good time to do this would be at a performance appraisal, if there is one. Or if you happen to know your boss in a social circle (lunchtime, pub after work, etc) then mention it informally then.

Explain that you have been with the company for x amount of time and ask if he or she has been has been happy with your work.

Go on to say that you would like to move on to a more challenging role as you feel your skills are put to better use. Highlight all you selling points and relate them to how they can benefit the company.

Now, at this point you should have found out if there are any suitable positions advertised in the company. If so, ask your boss to recommend you for that position.

If not, then you have to speculate.
First, make sure there's a budget for your promotion. If the company can accommodate your new position (and hopefully salary!) and also find someone for your current role, then you have a better chance.

If not, then try to get more responsibility in your current role. At the very least it may mean a better job title and more experience, which is always good for your CV. This is more applicable to smaller companies, but it does mean you are more likely to have a larger share of the responsibility.

And you never know. Your new tasks could ultimately justify having that position on a full time basis.

For example, if the company doesn't have a website, or contract their site maintenance out, then offer to maintain it if that's the route you want to go. It may save the company money and will help to prove your skills. In the long run your efforts may show the benefits of doing this in-house and the company may decide to hire you fulltime to do it. At the very least it's good experience and shows initiative.

Further tips
If at first you don't succeed…..etc.

Your boss may say no. You have to be realistic. There may not be a budget for what you want to do, or you may not have been with the company long enough.

At the very least you should be able to get small bits and pieces of extra work to do (which seems like a bad thing, I know). But it will serve to prove your skills and determination, so persevere with it.

Even if you are told no, you can still work hard at the job you are in and impress your boss! Offer suggestions and show your eagerness to progress within the company - it will be remembered.

And it doesn't hurt to drop subtle hints from time to time (but don't over do it!).

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Written by Scott Boyd, Founder of www.jobseekersadvice.com
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