How to get promoted is one of the biggest career topics out there because getting promoted is one of the most exciting events in your career. No matter where you are on the corporate ladder, promotions feel incredible! All that hard work finally paid off!

But it can be really frustrating when you’re putting in the time and effort and are not seeing the results you want to see. You might even see some people around you getting promoted, and yet, there you sit without a hint of validation in sight.

You’ve done the work and put in the time, so how do you reap the rewards?

You Have to Ask

It’s probably not what you wanted to hear, but it’s true. You need to ask. Sorry, there’s simply no getting around this awkward conversation!

Managers are busy people who are usually more oriented towards productivity and output than human resources. They’re rapidly crunching numbers instead of paying attention to the people that make those numbers a reality.

And sometimes, they’re just oblivious. They know you’re valuable, and they know you bring a lot to the table, but they’re not thinking ahead. Or your promotion is on their ever-expanding to-do list.

As hard as it is, we can’t get tricked into waiting for them to get around to explicitly recognizing our worth. It’s these kinds of habits that hold people—especially women—back in the workplace. We fall into this trap of being passive and waiting because we’re wired in a way that makes us feel weird to brag. That means we leave these opportunities wide open for men (who, often, have no issue bragging.) They are more likely to take on an active role when it comes to getting what they want.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not blaming men. They see an opening, and they go for it, which is great. For women, it’s not in our nature, and that’s okay. It just means we need to be more intentional and direct when opportunities arise to ensure we don’t miss out on a great one!

What if Asking to Get Promoted Feels Awkward?

No, it’s not just you. We all feel like promotions should be handed down when we’ve done the work to deserve them. Unfortunately, this is often not the case.

Promotions are one of those things we just have to ask for.

It all goes back to the busy managers! Their job is to run a functional department (or, you know, an entire company), and it doesn’t necessarily focus on employee satisfaction or professional growth. These things are still relatively new in the sense of being a manager’s responsibility. While many companies are taking a more active role in their employee’s satisfaction, this was not always the standard and so some older, more traditional managers may not subscribe to this new way of doing things.

That means it’s up to you to advocate for yourself. You are responsible for your happiness and professional success! It can be frustrating to feel like no one is in your corner and you have to do everything for yourself, but it is also liberating. You have control over your situation and don’t need to wait for someone else to recognize your worth.

So what do you do if it feels awkward?

Like anything in life, preparation can make an awkward situation more comfortable. Planning is as important as warming up before a workout. If you don’t warm up, you risk physical injury. If you don’t plan, you risk emotional injury (in the form of embarrassment.)

The good news is that the planning phase doesn’t have to involve a lot of talking. In fact, three out of my top five ways to show your worth don’t involve having a conversation about getting promoted! Are you ready to see what they are?

How to Get Promoted FAST + Top 5 Ways to Show Your Worth

1. Expand

Expanding means showing your employer all the different things you can do! For example, when I was an Admin Assistant, the biggest part of my job was to create proposals and invoices. Then I expanded into marketing because I showed that I was interested in writing web copy for our site and taking on our social media accounts.

I ended up doing a lot more things in this position and was eventually promoted, but it all started by showing that I had a vast and diverse skillset and could do a lot of things beyond the basics spelled out in my job description.

2. Show Initiative

Employers love people who are active in the workplace—the people who take on other projects and tasks. Again, managers are looking for productive people who contribute to the bottom line. By showing initiative, you’re showing that you care about the company and are willing to put in some extra effort to see it succeed. And as a bonus, you’ll end up on your manager’s radar and likely be top of mind when it comes to getting promoted.

Think for a minute about managing a fast-food restaurant. You have the kid that takes people’s orders and then leans on the counter stealthily (but actually not so stealthily), texting their friends and making plans for the weekend. But you also have the kid that takes the order, mops the floor, wipes down the tables, and restocks the napkins before cleaning out the restrooms. Which kid do you think you will be promoting when a management position opens up?

Yeah, I think you know.

3. Ask for Feedback

Asking for feedback shows your employer that you’re serious about your job and about doing it right. Taking constructive criticism is an essential skill that will take you a long way throughout your career. Trust me, asking for feedback is a manager’s dream.

The reason?

Beyond the implications that you’re a serious employee, it also allows the manager to mold you into their definition of excellence. For example, when I was promoted to my current recruitment position, I periodically asked for (or accepted when I didn’t ask) feedback. I asked and accepted constructive criticism because I knew it would make me better at my job. I’m nowhere near perfect, but I do get better every single day. I trust that by improving my performance, I will be rewarded in the long run!

4. Lead

Look for ways to lead your team and show that you aren’t just a worker bee—you have a vision (which should be in line with your manager’s vision and ultimately the company’s vision) and the means to bring others in to help you build that vision! And don’t get caught up in the idea that you have to be “running the show” either. There is a lot more to being a leader than coming up with a plan or bossing teammates around on a project.

Leading in your workplace could be as simple as showing up to work with a positive attitude and helping anyone with a negative outlook shift their perspective. Keeping a positive atmosphere in the workplace is a tremendous asset, especially during the pandemic. Mental health is a significant concern, and if you can be an advocate for health and happiness in the office, that is a great way to show leadership.

A note on productivity: an important thing to remember is to focus on the productivity of your team as a whole, not just your individual output. Great leaders know how to spend their time wisely. For example, if one of your co-workers is slow at a particular task, it is often worth your time to teach them how to do it better and faster. That hour of your time will pay off many times over.

5. Talk About Your Aspirations

Not going to lie; this might be my favorite way to set the stage for getting promoted. This step is really about building a relationship with your manager—and all you have to do is have a conversation. It’s as simple as that. Talking about what you want is a fantastic way to open up and let your manager know your plan for your career.

It doesn’t need to be a formal conversation, so don’t sweat it if the thought of pulling your boss aside to tell them about your “hopes and dreams” makes you want to hide underneath your bedcovers for eternity. Sometimes these things can be casually discussed over lunch or a general one-on-one meeting.

What if you’ve put all of these into play but nothing has happened? Well, we return to the idea of having to be more direct; you have to ask.

If you have to ask, then here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Know What You Want

Make sure you’ve taken the time to consider your career trajectory and are moving in the direction you want to go. Do you want a position that just recently opened up? Do you want a new job title? Do you want more money?

It’s important to know what you’re looking for upfront; otherwise, you’ll come across as disorganized.

2. Be Prepared to Prove You’re Worth It and Ready

If you’re looking to change your job title to match duties you’ve already taken on, make sure you have a list of those duties handy. You’ll want proof that your job has changed into one that matches the title you’re going after.

If you’re looking for a promotion to a specific open position within the company, you’ll want to be aware of everything you bring to the table in your current job, how this would translate in the position you’re looking to get, and you’ll also have to prove that you’re ready to handle most of the new responsibilities that would accompany your promotion.

3. Do Your Research

Researching a job is something I will always advocate for because it gives you power. It’s like buying a house or a car: you need to know the facts so that you can get the best deal!

Seriously!

Whether you’re job searching, or asking for a promotion or a raise, you need to know the facts in order to negotiate the best deal for yourself. Going in blind is never going to help and could hurt a whole lot.

What are you researching? The job itself, comparable companies, salaries, bonuses, benefits… anything and everything you can think of!

CIf you’re not sure where to start check out my post on how to research salaries.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice makes perfect. Go over how you want to approach this conversation with your boss and think about any concerns they may raise. Try to prepare yourself for any situation and anticipate potential questions.

And once you’ve done that, be sure to arrange a time to have the conversation face-to-face. We may not necessarily have the luxury of in-person meetings but a virtual meeting is our next best option. While it is tempting to write a long-winded email, press send, and cross our fingers for a positive response, it’s better to take a more direct (and professional) approach and have the conversation in person.

5. Keep an Open Mind and an Optimistic Outlook

Despite the most prepared approaches, sometimes your boss can’t make the promotion happen exactly the way you want. Keep an open mind to see if you can find a win-win situation where you both benefit and move forward.

If that isn’t possible, then maintain a positive attitude and an optimistic outlook. Just because it isn’t happening right now doesn’t mean it will never happen. Be sure to ask for feedback and actionable next steps so that you can work towards the job you want. Do not skip asking for feedback because these actionable steps are very important! Once your manager tells you what they need from you in order for you to get the promotion, it will be hard for them to refuse to promote you if you’ve done what they’ve asked. Keep track of what you accomplish and in any future discussions, be sure to show that you’ve taken the specific steps.

When I Work has a fantastic post on how to maintain a positive attitude at work.

Final Thoughts on How To Get Promoted

Getting promoted isn’t always as easy as it seems. It requires dedication and hard work! You need to show that you are driven to succeed, not only in your current role but also in the role you’d like to be promoted to. However, once you’ve been promoted, it’s an amazing feeling! You’ve achieved your goal! It doesn’t get much better than that.

So if you’re serious about getting promoted remember to show your worth by:

• Expanding into different facets of the business
• Show initiative by taking on tasks and projects outside of your job description
• Ask for feedback so you can make productive professional improvements
• Show your leadership skills
• Talk about your aspirations and show that you’re driven

And if you’re ready to take the next step and directly approach your boss for a promotion, remember:

• Know what you want and consider your career trajectory
• Be prepared to prove that you’re ready to go to the next level
• Do your research and know your facts to negotiate the best deal
• Prepare, practice, and then arrange a face-to-face meeting
• Be open to all possibilities
• Stay positive and be sure to leave the meeting with feedback and actionable steps on moving forward

Now that you know what to do, go out and get that job!

What concerns do you have about asking for a promotion? Let me know in the comments!