Last time, we looked at how (and why) to ask for a demotion, but it’s important to look at both sides of any issue. This time, we are going to look at asking for a promotion.
Admittedly, there are a lot of articles, videos, and even books on asking for a promotion. After all, the majority of people want to be moving up in a company, not sideways or down, so asking about a promotion often occupies an employee’s thoughts. This is why it’s such a common question!
So, we will wade into this as well because there is a lot of conflicting information about how to get a promotion, when to get it, how long it will take to get it and what to do if you are denied. One person will say to simply ask for it, others will say to slowly build up to it, and others will say you should basically give an ultimatum: promotion or you walk.
(I mean, none of them are wrong per se – it all depends on your circumstance).
Starting With Asking Yourself If You Want a Promotion
One of the things I tell new staff when they ask about dealing with The Boss is that you have to be prepared to talk to him. You have to go in with a clear idea of What you Want, Why you Want It, and What You Will Do to Make It Happen. And don’t go in wishy-washy cause he can’t help but pounce on that.
(I tease my boss, but actually most managers and bosses are going to be like that, so it’s far from a unique trait).
This means that before you even start looking at talking to your manager or drawing together everything that you have contributed to prove you’re ready to do more, you have to figure out what you actually want to do and what your goals are:
- More money?
- More responsibilities?
- More privileges and benefits?
- More learning opportunities?
- More challenging work?
- Is there a position in existence that you want or do you want to create your own to fill a need?
You’ll probably want more than one of these, but don’t simply settle on something like more money because you could also just ask for a raise. And really, even if you get a raise, your boss is probably going to want you to do more anyway.
Once you have figured out why you want a promotion, then you can start figuring out how best to get there.
Research and Prepare
You know, you’re not the only one who has asked for a promotion! (shocking).
In fact, you have a wellspring of people right in your place of business that have been, likely, promoted, so take advantage of that and gather some intelligence! How did others get their promotion that they asked for? How do they see you as an employee and can they see you on a higher rung of the corporate ladder? Are you seen as a good leader?
The higher up the rungs you already are, the more important these become because at a certain point, promotions come as a result of several people throwing their weight behind it, not just one. So you have to make sure that several people are on your side with this. Once you’ve done your homework, then start building your case for a promotion. You should be looking at things like:
- Your proven track record of the impact you have had on the business, solutions you’ve delivered and any financial outcomes that you were responsible for
- Data from other employees and/or customers that shows your success
- Who would be taking over your old position and why that person will fit the role
Basically, you are back to selling yourself. Some people even say you should make something of a promotion resume for yourself, outlining your contributions to the company and how you can contribute further with a new position. This can help you stay on track when you present your case and make sure you don’t forget anything important such as certifications.
Choose Your Time Wisely
It’s also important to choose your time to talk to your boss about a promotion wisely. For example, if there has been a round of lay-offs, it’s probably not a good time to ask for a promotion because the business is having trouble elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you have just closed a major deal, broken sales records, or implemented a successful program, idea, or scheme, it’s probably a good time to ask for a promotion! After all, you’ll be riding confidently high on your success and so will your business.
What If I Want a New Position?
So.
When I left my full-time instructor role due to Ogre Toddler, and husband working far away for weeks at a time, I didn’t quit. (Ok, I tried, and they pretended they didn’t hear me). Instead, a new role was developed that I could do from home and still contribute to the company’s success. This is an oddball position: I’m a curriculum developer, researcher, writer, and occasionally a substitute instructor. (Mostly, I’m a curriculum researcher and developer). This position didn’t exist prior to my trying to leave – it was spread out among many team members and largely fell on the management team. But I am ideally suited for it: my degree in history and background as a content writer means I’m quite skilled in research, I’m a skilled writer, and I seem to have a weird knack for bringing pieces together into programs that are necessary.
(Yes, I’m tooting my horn).
Anyway, the point is that maybe you don’t want a promotion, maybe you want a different position or even a brand new, never before seen position. That can work out well too! In this case, you want to look for gaps that need to be filled and create a case for creating a new role that you will naturally step into. It can take some work – you have to prove that you can actually do the work by… well, doing the work without the promotion or title, but by proving that the job needs to be done (and that you did it), you can create a new position of your very own.
Make Sure You’re Ready
Make sure that you have enough experience and experience for the position that you want! You don’t want to fight for a promotion only to find out that you are woefully unprepared for it. This is where taking stock is important and talking to others about how they think you would do will come in handy.
For many people, promotions are a key part of their career path, but many people are too scared to ask. If you don’t ask for a promotion though, you may find yourself passed over every time because you didn’t put yourself up for the role. It’s important to be direct with your wants, build a positive case for yourself, and decide what you actually want from your new roles.
Have you ever asked for a promotion? How did it go?
