Asking For a Promotion

Thinking about asking for a promotion? Do these 6 things before having The Big Talk with your boss.

1. (Really) Want It

Get clear on your motivation for a promotion. Are you bored and want a new challenge? Are you going above and beyond your job description and want to get paid for it? Or is having more seniority the only way to be heard or respected in your organization? If the latter, assess if you really want to invest more time in your current organization.

2. Do Your Research
If a job description for the job you want is available, map your background/skills to the listed qualifications so you can begin to make a case. If there are coworkers you can trust who were recently promoted, ask if they can shed light on the process. Finally, do some salary research at sites like Career Contessa and Glassdoor so you’re armed with current data.

3. Campaign
Time to make you and your work visible to the stakeholders involved in promotion decisions. Oftentimes, your boss isn’t making decisions in a vacuum. Rather than tooting your own horn (which can be awkward for many of us) call on senior leaders and mentors in your organization who know you well to advocate on your behalf.

4. Make the Case
Why you and why now? Before asking for a promotion, use your 1:1 meetings with your boss to have strategic conversations that help clearly answer these questions. Start making the case before having the “big” conversation so there are no surprises – it’s just a natural progression of the conversations you’ve already been having.

5. Feel Worthy
If you don’t feel deserving of a promotion, your boss won’t either. Know in your bones that even if you don’t have every qualification for the role you want, you’ll acquire them. A career coach or mentor can help you adjust your mindset if imposter syndrome is keeping you stuck.

6. Have a Plan B
What if you do all of this and you still don’t get the promotion? Think about how you’ll handle hearing ‘no’ (Start looking elsewhere? Apply for a different role in your company? Stay put and work on enhancing your skills to try again in the future? Hire a coach?). Having a plan to move forward can help take the sting out of rejection.

You got this.