So, you feel you’re due for a promotion, but you’re wondering why your manager hasn’t approached you with the good news yet. What to do? Should you ask for a promotion? Or wait?
There are two components that make a promotion possible: 1. employee readiness and 2. corporation readiness. Both conditions must be met, at the same time, in order for an employee to receive a promotion in most typical organizations. (Small companies won’t necessarily follow the same rules.)
Employee readiness happens when an employee is successfully fulfilling her or his current job responsibilities and has started to perform some of the next-level job responsibilities for at least 6 months. The latter is a critical condition as most employees may perform one or two level-up responsibilities on occasion and feel that makes them ready for a new role. However, only an extended time managing next-level job responsibilities can prepare you for the next-level job requirements.
Corporation readiness, on the other hand, occurs when a team or group can support a promotion financially and utilize a higher level talent. Sometimes a promotion isn’t feasible budget-wise. And sometimes there isn’t enough room for yet another senior-level employee.
With those factors in mind, the question is, how do you know if you’re doing your current job well? What about those level-up responsibilities? And perhaps even harder to discern, how do you know if your team can absorb another promotion?
Promotion Advice FAQs
To help you clarify the situation, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the promotion process.
Q. What do I need to know before I’m ready for a promotion?
A. Review and learn about your current job description. 2. Check your past performance reviews to see how you were rated and what kinds of feedback you’ve received. 3. Verify with your manager that you’re performing above the current job-level requirements. Ask what steps you need to take to get on the promotion track.
Q. Should I ask for a promotion or wait?
A. It depends on your performance and the team or group’s situation. Having an honest and friendly conversation with your manager is the best way to learn about your growth opportunity.
Q. My team members are getting promoted but I’m not. Does this mean I’m not good at my job?
A. Just because there are other employees receiving promotions, that doesn’t mean you’re not valued as a top employee. There might be other circumstances surrounding those other promotions that you’re not aware of. For example, another individual may have contributed successfully to a project outside of the scope of her or his current job responsibilities.
Q. How do I start talking to my manager about a possible promotion?
A. Learn about your current job responsibilities and those associated with the position you hope to get. Your manager can provide you with formal job requirements for each level. Set up a one-on-one meeting to start an open dialogue with your manager. Be clear and articulate about what want without demand anything. For example, you could say, “I’d like to talk to you about how I can be more effective in my role and take on more team responsibilities.” Ask your manager to help mentor you to meet your goal.
Q. My manager told me there is no immediate room to grow within our team, but I am ready for a promotion. What should I do?
A. Check with other teams within your company to see if there are other positions which might have some growth opportunity. Additionally, look for similar roles that may potentially pave the way to your desired promotion.
Q. My manager told me there is a long wait for me to get a promotion, and I can’t wait that long. Should I leave my team or stay?
A. It depends on how much you enjoy doing your job. Most of us don’t put monetary value on our job satisfaction. If you enjoy your work, then maybe you can wait a bit longer. If you don’t enjoy your current work and feel you can do more, then start your search for a new role.
Q. My manager is so supportive and thinks I’m ready to move up, but there is no room within our team to get a promotion. What should I do?
A. It’s time to search outside of your group and possibly outside of your current company
Q. I feel like I’m being overlooked by my manager for a promotion. Should I complain to HR?
A. Check your past performance reviews and make sure you’ve addressed any areas that required renewed focus or improvement. Have a friendly conversation with your close colleagues or other team members and ask for honest feedback about your performance. If you still feel your performance warrants a promotion, then it’s time to request a confidential talk with your HR manager.
Q. How do I know who my HR manager is?
A. Check your company’s internal benefits website; you’ll eventually find the right contact by exploring and asking. If all else fails, ask your manager or a manager from another team.
I’ve only scratched the surface of the complicated and vast topic that is corporate promotions. There’s a ton more to be said and learn. If you’re ready to approach your manager about getting a promotion but aren’t sure how to ask, contact me for a 30-minute free consultation.