10 skills that can help you get a promotion this year, according to bosses and managers

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Seeking a promotion? Why not start off the year with a great goal to work towards. 2018 is going to be the year you take charge of your position and move up in your career — so make sure you carve out some time this holiday season to reflect on how you're going to do so.

If you want to add "get a promotion" to your list of New Year's resolutions, we're here to help you succeed!

Here is what bosses and managers say you should focus on if you really want to push your career forward in 2018.

1. Collaboration

If you want to get promoted, you have to do more than focus on your personal work. Consider branching out to see who could use an extra hand around the office. The more impressed your co-workers are with you, the more likely your boss will hear about your work ethic. Your ability to collaborate is just as important as your ability to work independently.

"Collaboration with teams across the organization always stand out," says D.G., a GRC training manager at Oracle Cloud. "I always look at an employee's internal branding to see how they are viewed by others."

2. Ownership

"We value something called FLO: 'Full Leadership Ownership.' We promote people who demonstrate an ownership of the outcome of their project," says Phil Fremont-Smith, Co-founder of Happie. "That means doing whatever it takes to get it done — staying late, getting creative, pulling in resources to help if they need it. FLO comes from a personal desire to put the ball into the end zone and score. Not just pass the ball around."

3. Effort

When it comes to your work ethic, it's not always just about hitting specific milestones. Some managers say they look at the effort an employee is putting in — does their report exhibit self-discipline and adaptability? Are they focused and being creative? The amount of effort you put in will speak volumes to your boss.

"It's more about the amount of effort I see, rather than specific milestones," says Janelle L., a marketing director. "When I [promoted] employees, they were all people I saw making [a] great effort every day. I have promoted less-skilled people over someone who is skilled but does the minimum."