Best months of the year for professionals in India to get a promotion: LinkedIn Study

According to LinkedIn's data, the top three months for professionals in India to get promoted within their company are: 1. April, 2. January, 3. July.

In India, LinkedIn found there was a more pronounced quarterly schedule for promotions thanin some other countries. In September, there is a significant lift in promotions for professionalsthat listed management consulting as their industry on LinkedIn, more so than other industries.

Globally the top months for professionals to get promoted are: 1. January, 2. July, 3. September

LinkedIn's data also revealed that the promotions cycle for professionals is gradually changingdue in part to millennials or professionals that were born in the 1980s. Millennials are theprofessionals who are the most likely to be promoted throughout the year (rather than just inJanuary which is the case for most professionals). In the 1990s, January was by far the bestmonth to get promoted for all professionals around the globe. In the 2000s, data from LinkedInshowed that January is still the best month for promotions, but it's slowly losing its hold. Over time, it's becoming increasingly likely that global professionals will get promoted during othermonths of the year.

"LinkedIn was launched in 2003, but our data allows us to identify professional trends that spandecades," said DJ Patil, LinkedIn's chief scientist. "By shedding light on professional patterns, wehope to help our members achieve their career goals by using LinkedIn in the most effective andproductive way possible."

"One of the best ways to get promoted is by promoting yourself," said Lindsey Pollak, a careerand workplace expert. "LinkedIn is the perfect place for professionals to get clients, vendors andother third parties to post recommendations on their profile. By encouraging other professionals to champion the work you do in your current role, you'll be more likely to advanceto the next level."

Here is how professionals can leverage LinkedIn to land a promotion:

Shine the Spotlight on New Skills

LinkedIn Advanced People Search lets you search by title so you can find professionals that have the position you want to be promoted to. Reaching out to mentors and peers is one way to prepfor that 2011 promotion. After the promotion, a strong relationship with a peer will give you afriendly ear you can rely on for advice if things get tough.

Toot Your Horn

Remind your manager of your accomplishments. Even if they were monumental, he or she mayhave forgotten about them. Document milestones in your career by requesting quality recommendations on LinkedIn. If a customer sends you an email thanking you for the amazing event you put together for them in record time, gently suggest that they provide you with arecommendation (if they feel comfortable doing so) and also forward the email to your managerso they're aware of the praise you're receiving.