A promotion is a proud moment in a career, and is almost always the result of hard work, dedication to the job and the company, and the ability to stand out in a crowd of employees.
But if you consistently demonstrate a solid work ethic, go the extra mile, act as a team player, and regularly and successfully take on additional challenges and projects at work, there may be other reasons not to promote.
To better understand this tricky issue, career experts reveal why managers overlook employees’ titles and salary increases, and what to do about it.
Read on, here are four overall tips.
1. Understand the promotion timeline
The workplace continues to evolve, decisions often take longer than expected, and experts say change within the HR departments of many companies and businesses won’t happen immediately.
“It’s important to note that promotions rarely happen overnight and can sometimes take months or years,” said Michelle Reisdorf, Chicago region president for Robert Half.
2. Recognize your employees’ strengths
Consider these expert insights to differentiate yourself from others, including the top performers in your work group.
Always aim to exceed performance expectations, Reisdorf noted, because doing so not only demonstrates your ability to take on greater responsibility, but also demonstrates your independent competence and dependability.
Be proactive. Stay connected and stand out by learning the latest news, trends, skills and best practices relevant to your role and industry.
Communicate with your manager.
“Whether it’s asking for feedback or sharing your accomplishments, maintaining open communication with your manager is key to growth and development,” Reisdorf told FOX Business.
Stay flexible.
She noted that because companies and industries are constantly changing, the ability to adapt quickly to meet business needs often demonstrates problem-solving skills and resilience.
3. Examine what’s holding you back from getting promoted
Does any of the following apply to you?
If so, it may be appropriate to reevaluate certain actions or behaviors that you have control over.
They don’t share their interest in promotion with their manager.
If this sounds like you, Reisdorf says it’s time to take the time to map out your career goals and communicate them to others.
“Discuss your goals with your manager and identify areas of growth that will help you better position yourself for promotion,” she said.
In addition to having this conversation, be open to evaluating areas where you can improve, which is a big step in the promotion process, says Reisdorf.
It’s okay to be negative or unprofessional.
Managers are looking for up-and-comers who can overcome obstacles within their team and demonstrate professionalism and a positive attitude.
“This demonstrates respect for our colleagues and our ability to support a positive work environment,” Reisdorf told FOX Business.
“It may also reveal whether a worker is ready for more complex responsibilities, which could increase the likelihood they will be considered for promotion opportunities.”
Needs lots of supervision.
Lacking self-motivation, a lack of initiative, or relying too heavily on others in the workplace can signal a lack of reliability and leadership ability.
Conflict with other colleagues.
Christiano Winkler, head of digital at London-based Somebody Digital, said office politics and interpersonal conflicts can have a big impact on who gets promoted and who doesn’t.
“While company culture may not seem as important as business performance, clashing with colleagues or disrupting team dynamics is a red flag to management that you may not be a good fit for promotion.”
4. Know how to move forward
If any or all of the above scenarios apply to you, there are things you can do to improve the situation.
Don’t give up after one disappointment.
It’s natural to feel a little disappointed when you miss out on a promotion, but it’s important not to let it derail your efforts to advance your career, Winkler said.
“Refine setbacks as learning opportunities and use the experience to identify areas where you can improve,” he said. “Focus on the things you can control.”
Realize that it may not happen.
Unfortunately, if you’re actively working to get promoted but keep getting passed over, the company might not be the best fit for you and your goals, Winkler says.
“It may be time to reevaluate your options and look for a place that has more support, a more conducive environment for growth, and allows you to grow the way you want to,” he suggested.
Reevaluate your core values.
If you keep missing out on promotions — despite having clear conversations with your manager, carving out a career path and demonstrating the soft and hard skills needed to succeed — it’s time to reevaluate whether your values align with your employer’s, said Eric Cormier, human resources services manager at Insperity in Boston.
“Even if you don’t get promoted, if you demonstrate leadership, contribute to a positive work environment and add value to your team or organization, you may not feel like your boss or the company values your work,” he said.
If so, “and you feel unappreciated as an employee or team member, it may be time to look for new opportunities,” he added.
