How To Ask For A Promotion – And Get it
The new year is a time for resolutions, reflecting on where you are, and setting goals for the future. Google searches for “how to get promoted” have risen by 277% in the last month, and there are 30.1 million posts under the TikTok search “how to get promotion at work”, so it seems like the resolution at the top of many people’s lists is climbing the career ladder.
Career expert Rob Phelps at AI Jobs explains the best way to ask for a promotion in the new year – and make sure you get it.
Reflect On Your Achievements
It’s important to assess your current position and begin with some self-reflection before asking for a promotion. Look back on the past year and think about what you’ve accomplished – have you consistently exceeded targets? Taken on additional projects or responsibility? Have you earned new skills? Reflect on feedback or performance reviews you’ve been given, too, and think of examples of steps you’ve taken to address areas for improvement.
Build a record of your successes and challenges you’ve overcome, so you can be prepared to present them in your pitch for promotion.
Young woman doing a job interview in the office and talking with client
Do Your Research
Doing your research is crucial; not only will it help you understand what would be expected of you in the new role, but it will also demonstrate to your managers that you’re serious about your career growth, and you’ve done your homework.
Speak to trusted colleagues who have successfully been given the promotion they asked for, who might be able to give you tips and advice.
Look up job listings for similar roles elsewhere, to help you understand what is typically expected in the role you’re asking for. This will also give you an idea of the average salary for the role and help you understand your worth, so you’ll have a solid foundation for pay negotiation.
Set Your Goals
Promotions aren’t one-size-fits-all so you need to make sure you’re clear about your own professional goals so you can communicate them effectively, and make sure you’re asking for exactly what you want.
Think about what motivates you and what your priorities are – whether you’re looking for leadership opportunities, additional training or mentorship to help develop your career, or simply a more senior title and a salary to match.
Plan Your Approach
Make a plan for how you’re going to approach the conversation. Getting the timing right is important, and January is a good time because many companies will be setting their own goals for the year and reviewing budgets before the financial year ends.
Request a formal meeting with your manager to discuss your future rather than casually dropping hints about wanting to progress. Build your case with evidence of your achievements, what you bring to the team, value you’ve added to the business, and how ready you are for the next steps in your career.
Young businesswoman together with her colleague asking questions to candidate during job interview
Go In With Confidence
It can often make people uncomfortable to talk about their achievements in the workplace, worrying that it will make them sound like they’re boasting, but confidence is key. Remember – highlighting your accomplishments isn’t bragging, it’s simply sharing the value you bring to the company, and how you can use that value to progress. Your accomplishments are what will show the decision-makers that you’re ready to move up, so don’t downplay your successes – own them.
Be Persistent
Just as not every job application leads to an interview, not every request for a promotion will get the results you’re hoping for. Sometimes a promotion isn’t immediately possible due to things like budget constraints, or perhaps your manager doesn’t think you’re ready. Ask for constructive feedback if your request is denied, asking exactly what you can do to achieve your goals, and agree when you can revisit the conversation in the future. Continue to keep a record of your achievements, work on what you can improve, and increase your skills. Don’t give up!
Know When To Walk Away
If you’ve done all you can and you’re still not getting the promotion you want, it might be time to move on. Leaving a job can be scary, especially if you’ve been there for a long time, but it could also be the best decision for your career. Remaining in a stagnant role like this can stifle your career development, and if you can’t see a path to progression in your current role, you might need to get off the dead-end road and look for an alternative route.
This article originally appeared on Your Coffee Break.
