Job performance is a huge factor in whether you get promoted, but timing is also critical. If you’re waiting to get shortlisted for the C-Suite, it can help to know how long you’ll be in line and whether it’s worth sticking it out. Take a look at who’s ahead of you. If you’re a number two executive, and the current C-suite leader is young, popular, and only a few years in, you’re probably in for a long wait. But if you know that your current boss is looking for a new role, the promotion could be only a few months away. Once you have a good sense of the timing, decide how long you’d be willing to wait for the C-suite position and what the chances are that you’ll actually get it. If there’s no spot opening up in the timeframe you’re comfortable with, that might be a sign to look elsewhere.
Adapted from "How to Get on the Shortlist for the C-Suite," by Cassandra Frangos
