Promotions are an important part of moving up the ranks and gaining new responsibilities within an organization. Job promotions are usually accompanied by increased salaries, which can also be important to employees. Sometimes promotions happen on their own, and other times you may have to advocate for yourself. However, asking for a promotion can be anxiety-inducing. That said, sometimes it is best to muster up the courage and take the initiative to ask for one, rather than waiting for it to happen on its own. If you are looking to take the next step in your career, consider these tips for asking for a promotion.
1. Reflect on What You Really Want
Are you looking to gain more responsibilities? Are you wanting a higher salary? Are you hoping to move closer to the managerial position you ultimately want? You need to have a clear vision of what this new position looks like before discussing it with your manager. It is important to consider your personal career goals so you can be sure this new role aligns with your long-term goals. Sometimes managers offer promotions but it might not be a role that interests you. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for what you really want. You may be surprised to find that this could actually be less daunting for your manager. Instead of them having to figure out where to promote you, you already know where you want to be.
2. Outline Your Record of Achievements
Promotions are offered to employees who demonstrate exceptional performance. Therefore, you will want to be prepared to show a record of all of your achievements in your current role. This will help you build a case for your promotion and will help you organize your talking points when it comes time to discuss your career growth. Include ways that you have positively impacted your organization, projects that you successfully completed, contributions you have made to your department, and any awards or recognition that you have received.
3. Research the New Job
If you are looking to fill a position that already exists, take the time to research the position and learn more about it. Talk to the person who currently holds the position and ask them about the job responsibilities. Then, think about your strengths and achievements and why you would be an ideal candidate for the position. When you sit down with your manager, demonstrate your knowledge of this new position and be prepared to explain what qualifies you for the position.
4. Choose the Right Time
There may not be a perfect time to ask for a promotion, but some times are better than others. For example, if you have just completed a very successful quarter or you just received a glowing performance review, that might be a good time to request a promotion. On the other hand, you don’t want to ask for a promotion if the company is making budget cuts or laying off employees.
5. Be Prepared to Negotiate
It’s always best to prepare some negotiating points prior to asking for a promotion. Perhaps you have been offered another job. You could certainly use this as a bargaining chip to help you land that promotion. If you don’t have another job to fall back on, you can be prepared to negotiate things like salary, stock options, or other perks. If things don’t work out right then, remain open to revisiting the possibility of a promotion in three to six months.