Reasons You’re Not Getting Promoted

Highly-motivated professionals and those striving to succeed in their positions are always looking for ways to advance themselves by earning more money, taking on additional responsibilities, and moving up the corporate ladder. The most frustrating experience in the world for these ambitious men and women is often when they discover that their hard work and dedication have gone unrecognized and find themselves, despite their best efforts, not getting promoted. This can get incredibly difficult, as many people tend to become resentful, get discouraged, or look towards petty office politics as the solution to their problems rather than focusing on revitalizing efforts to be an excellent employee. Though no two situations are identical, there are some common mistakes many go-getters make that can result in them not getting promoted.

Not Recognizing Your Employer’s Needs

When seeking a promotion, the first thing you should consider is the role you currently play in your business and how you appear to others. Does your perception of yourself as a worker match that of your higher-ups? You may be an excellent employee, but make sure they are aware of that as well. Simply being skilled at your current job is never reason enough for promotion. Being good at your job is, at best, one factor of consideration, and in most cases a minimum requirement.

When promoting internally, most supervisors are looking for candidates that have adapted well to office culture, have taken on important roles and responsibilities, and consistently go above and beyond. In short, they are looking for leadership qualities. To be considered for a promotion, you should try to learn more about your company and how the work you do fits in, and always gain more skills and experience.

Hammering out your work and sprinting out the door at 5:00 PM every day will not impress your boss, even if the work is good. In fact, being great in your current role but not trying to widen your horizons may cement you into that position. In the field of acting, this phenomenon is known as typecasting, and can be very difficult to overcome. To achieve your advancement goals, you must prove to be indispensable as an employee, not in one specific role. Your work ethic, your leadership skills, your ambition, and your interpersonal skills must be indispensable, not simply your ability to prepare sales reports quicker than everyone else. Why would a manager take a gamble on you when he likes you where you are at?

Consider your role in your organization, specifically how management views you. Does your boss value your expert opinion on a wide variety matters and seek you out when she needs a job done right the first time, or does she simply view you as the “go-to PowerPoint guy”? If you find you are stuck in one role, make efforts to change that. Failure to do so may result in you not getting promoted.

Considering Only Yourself and Your Needs

Read through that promotion request letter you’ve been working on. Is there any mention of you “needing” more money, or “deserving to advance” based on length of employment alone? If so, scrap the whole thing and start over from scratch. Instead, think about what you can bring to the table.

Though you should not be ashamed to say you think you deserve higher compensation, no employer has ever been swayed by a sad story about why someone needs it so bad. Everybody has needs and wants, and no good employer would demand to know why you want more money. Mentioning your sick mother or deadbeat ex-husband as a reason you should be paid more is going to leave the exact opposite impression than you intended to, however. Avoid the appearance of pleading and seek to gain your supervisor’s respect, not his pity.

Additionally, never mention anything about another employee getting a promotion or raise sooner than you. This will almost certainly come off as petty and childish. Resorting to petty politics and griping is highly discouraged, and may result in you not getting promoted.

Avoid focusing solely on yourself. When requesting a promotion, the conversation should revolve exclusively around positive things. Review all your recent contributions and remind your boss of an accomplishment or two you’re particularly proud of. Tell them the skills you’ve acquired and ways you have exceeded expectations. Highlight the additional responsibilities you have assumed and how you have helped your co-workers improve. Discuss changes you would like to implement and why you would be a great fit for your desired role.

Make sure the timing fits, too! Don’t wait three months after a major accomplishment before you ask your boss. Do it while your success is still fresh.

Getting promoted should be a win-win situation; both you and the employer should benefit. Tell your boss why you deserve the promotion, and how the business would benefit from your advancement. Use confidence and a little charm to seek to make them want you. Be what the organization needs, that way everybody wins.

Trying Too Hard to be a Hard Charger

Management loves to see a new hire hit the ground running. Putting in extra effort to make great first impressions and building good professional relationships right off the bat can only serve to win the respect of your peers and superiors. Too much, however, can be a little off-putting. Seeking to take on additional responsibilities too quickly or attempting to change office culture and the way things are done may step on some toes. Bluntly stated, nobody likes the new guy telling them how to do their job.

Most corporate culture is well-established and hierarchical. David Parnell, a legal recruiter and published author, shares that “Trying to impress your manager by handling their responsibilities, rather than just doing yours, can be interpreted as offensive or even threatening to the hierarchical status quo”; in other words, not adapting to the customs and culture of your place of employment can sour professional relationships.

Additionally, even if you are well-liked, putting in a request for a promotion too quickly may irritate your boss. Allow, at a minimum, enough time for your first official performance review before attempting to climb a rung. Premature requests will probably result in you not getting promoted.

If you are seeking to move up quickly, the best way to do so is to first get very good at your job, consistently exceeding expectations and never missing deadlines. Slowly seek to take on additional roles. Tell your boss you finished your project and ask if there is anything you can do to help him out. Expand your skills and influence by taking on additional responsibilities and proving yourself to be reliable and motivated. The best way to impress your boss is by proving to be indispensable and able to flourish in your new environment, not by simply seeking to “blast” past your peers. A small amount of professional competition is healthy, but too much leads to a toxic office environment.

Similarly, avoid being a “brown noser” or “yes-man.” Seeking to gain your superior’s favor by kissing up to her may or may not make her like you as a person, but it will certainly not win you much respect or make you look like a leader. It will almost always result in you not getting promoted.

Conclusion

Getting that promotion can be difficult and frustrating at times, but keep in mind that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Never lose your spirit, and if you get shot down just wait 6 months and try again, improving yourself in the meantime.

Though it won’t get you there alone, avoiding these common pitfalls may assist you as you climb that corporate ladder. With hard work, charm, and a little luck, you won’t have to go home to your family frustrated from not getting promoted anymore.