7 Ways to Stand Out to Your IT Manager and Get Promoted

With its constant whirlwind of activity and continuous evolution, today’s IT world can make it seem difficult to focus on your career plan and take the steps needed to reach your personal goals. But it’s more than possible to incorporate strategies into your day-to-day work that can help set you apart and get you that promotion you've been striving for. 

This article discusses seven traits that IT managers often look for—both in the people they want on their teams and in the people they are looking to promote.

Why Is It Important to Stand Out to Your IT Boss?

Standing out matters because it can directly impact your career trajectory, reputation, and opportunities within an organization. It demonstrates reliability and a growth-oriented mindset, which are valuable assets to your team and to the organization as a whole. Below are several key benefits of setting yourself apart and getting noticed:

• Career advancement
• Increased trustworthiness and dependability
• Greater visibility in a competitive industry
• Contribution to organizational success and well-being
• Soft skill development

With that in mind, check out the following top traits your manager may be looking for.

Passion for Work

Without first fostering an enthusiasm toward your work, it may be difficult to identify with the remaining characteristics listed here. In IT, the pace is often so fast that managers can’t afford to focus on employees who lack passion for their work or aren’t fully committed to their role. Leaders rely on ardent team members to think on their feet and provide solutions quickly and efficiently. If you aren't loving what you do, then consider evaluating what you truly want to do, and then do it, even if that means pursuing a change in career paths.

Accountability 

There’s a difference between somebody who simply completes the bare minimum and somebody who strives to be accountable. Accountability means that you fully “own” your role, are wholly engaged, and 100% committed to doing your best. Most managers can see that difference. 

Accountable professionals execute with a level of gumption that demonstrates a willingness to win—not just on a good day, but every day, regardless of what obstacles may arise. And when obstacles do come up, those who prioritize accountability are on the front line, tackling problems through coordinated teamwork.

As you cultivate this characteristic, your activities should be intentional and well thought out, and you should be motivated to do praiseworthy work with little to no direction.

Ambition 

Your manager is there to help facilitate your personal growth and to provide opportunities for career advancement. It’s not their job to advance your career for you. Recognizing that you alone are ultimately responsible for your professional goals can be incredibly empowering and may help prompt you to have that conversation with your boss about where you hope to be and how to get there.

The reality is that good managers want to see their employees grow and succeed in their careers. Rather than looking to your manager to lay your path out for you, make them a partner in helping you reach your goals. Taking initiative in this way tells your boss that you know what you want and that you trust them enough to work toward success.

Innovation 

Virtually every field of IT, from software development and engineering to data management and beyond, thrives on innovation now more than ever before. The ability to brainstorm and come up with creative solutions to complex problems is essential for evolving and keeping up with the daily demands of the workday.

Innovation involves tackling issues from different vantage points, assessing both short-term and big-picture goals, and using the right information to drive progress and positive change. It’s about recognizing the rapid pace of technological advancement and finding clever, strategic ways to stay ahead of the curve.

Adaptability

Consider the phrase, “If you don’t know it, learn it.” Being adaptable means acknowledging that you won’t always have all the answers. Continual growth means continuous learning, especially in the IT industry, where unfamiliar challenges occur frequently. Don’t wait for your manager or supervisor to ask you—instead, make it part of your daily routine to learn something new, whether it means using a new tool, implementing a new process, or simply gaining a better understanding of a new technology. 

Investing in yourself by learning both at home and at work can help boost your confidence and enhance your contributions as a team player. An adaptable mindset also shows your leader that you care about the industry you’re a part of, and that you understand the importance of evolving with it to meet changing demands.

Connection

While IT is about applying various technical skills, your success may be limited if you don’t take time to forge relationships with your coworkers and others around you. In many cases, the human element is what makes or breaks the outcome of an IT project. It pays to be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with your peers and your manager.

Building and maintaining professional relationships establishes trust and respect between individuals and teams. This kind of connection nurtures a healthy company culture, which in turn produces a successful IT organization. When all members on a team strive to be connected, they can achieve a synchronicity that allows them to run like a well-oiled machine. Prioritizing connection in your day-to-day interactions signals to your boss that you recognize the power of teamwork and being a true team player.

Assertiveness 

Becoming a go-to person in your organization is an admirable goal, but there may come situations where you won’t be able to complete everything you’ve been tasked with. A key quality in career advancement is having a firm understanding of how to prioritize tasks you are assigned and knowing when to start tactfully saying "no" to certain asks.

It’s important to recognize when you are beginning to feel overburdened before you actually reach that point. This allows you the opportunity to sit down with your boss, discuss items currently on your plate, and then work together on shifting or redistributing specific tasks. As you do this, you demonstrate to your manager that you recognize your limits and can communicate boundaries, balancing workloads effectively.

Ready to Stand Out? 

If you’re serious about developing these skills and positioning yourself for long-term success, investing in your education is one of the smartest steps you can take. At WGU, our flexible, competency-based IT degree programs are designed to fit your schedule while equipping you with both technical expertise and leadership-ready skills. You can also earn industry-recognized certifications as part of your coursework—helping you stand out not only to your current manager but also to future employers.

The IT world moves fast. Don’t just keep up—set yourself apart. Explore WGU’s IT programs today and take the first step toward getting noticed and becoming the kind of IT professional every manager wants on their team.

Western Governors University is a nonprofit, accredited, online university. WGU offers bachelor's and master's online degree programs in IT. Find out more about WGU's degree programs in Information Technology.