Publié le 18 November 2024
Get your career on the right path by understanding 5 reasons you’re not getting promoted at work.
You’ve done your absolute best. Every single day. You’ve taken on extra projects, stayed late, and nailed every deadline in that demanding full-time job. But still, the promotion you’ve been waiting and working for is nowhere in sight.
What did you do wrong?
Promotions are a good thing. You can boost your career, gain new responsibilities, and, of course, enjoy that well-deserved salary bump. No wonder that a striking 97% of survey respondents indicated that promotions were significant to them, with 38% rating them as “very important” and 59% as “important.”
But you might not realize that promotions are rarely about hard work. Just because you’re always going the extra mile 24/7 for every task given to you doesn’t mean that you automatically get noticed or rewarded.
Everything needs to be strategic, and sometimes, you need to play the game a little differently so you don’t burn yourself out before you even reach that promotion.
Let’s dive into those possible reasons why your career might be stuck in neutral and how to get things moving.
Reason #1. You and Your Companies Don’t Share the Same Goal
All the hard work you’ve done aside, the promotion is also about how well you fit into the company’s overall vision and long-term objectives.
So, even when you always deliver excellent results in your role, but your work doesn’t contribute to the company’s key goals, the manager may not see you as a strategic fit for a higher position. Remember that promotions usually go to those who demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to the company’s mission.
For example, for an explainer video company, a higher-level position might require a focus on not just producing high-quality videos but also aligning projects with the company’s broader mission to educate clients on the value of video marketing and drive customer engagement.
So, instead of simply focusing on delivering exceptional videos, you might seem out of sync with the strategic direction if you’re not actively contributing to the company’s mission to educate clients and drive engagement through video marketing.
Managers and executives are not just looking for someone who can handle additional responsibilities. They want someone who actively pushes the organization forward in the right direction. This could mean aligning your projects with departmental or company-wide priorities or actively seeking out ways to support larger initiatives.
Reason #2. You Work in Silence
Some people who want to be promoted may not want to make it obvious, so they prefer to work hard in silence– hoping that managers and executives notice it.
But don’t forget that managers are busy juggling numerous responsibilities and may not always have a detailed view of what every team member accomplishes, especially given the increase in remote work job roles.
So, don’t be shy. Share your progress and outcomes to bridge this gap. You can do something as simple as sending a monthly recap email outlining the projects you’ve completed, the measurable impacts of your work, and any positive feedback you’ve received.
Or, it might mean speaking up during team meetings to update others on key milestones you’ve achieved.
“But what if I would seem so desperate?”
Of course, there should be a fine line between self-promotion and self-advocacy. Sharing your accomplishments shouldn’t mean seeking validation. It’s more about highlighting your contributions to the team’s success.
If you want to keep it low-key, you can frame your updates in terms of how they benefit the team or organization. Think of it as sharing good news rather than tooting your own horn.
Reason #3. You Haven’t Built Strong Relationships with Key Stakeholders
Making connections with key people, like your boss, coworkers, and folks from other departments, can really help you climb the ladder. If you don’t even bother putting in the effort to build those relationships, you might be missing out on some great chances to get noticed and supported.
When you develop strong bonds at work, you create a crew of supporters who can back you up and vouch for your skills and achievements. These connections can give you helpful feedback, act as mentors, and even go to bat for you when it comes time to discuss promotions.
For instance, if you work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, you can gain insights into different perspectives and contribute to a more cohesive workplace culture.
If you’re just going through the motions and waiting for your next assignment, how would you even expect that you would be on your manager’s radar for that promotion? You don’t even look like you’re interested in getting it.
Look for ways to go above and beyond your regular duties. Volunteering for new or offering to help colleagues with their workloads can be a great start to show that you’re up for new challenges.
Reason #5. You Haven’t Demonstrated Leadership Qualities
Getting promoted means that you’re ready to take on more responsibility and guide others. So, if you don’t act like a leader, at least for yourself or your team, you might not be seen as someone who can handle the challenges of a higher role.
If you really want to be promoted, don’t be afraid to take initiative in team projects. Offer to lead meetings or facilitate discussions and be the one who steps up to solve problems when they arise. Just be someone that your team can be relied upon.
Wrapping Up: Are You Ready for the Next Step?
Now, ask yourself: Are you ready for the next step in your career?
Take a moment to reflect on the 5 reasons you’re not getting promoted at work, as we discussed. Are there gaps you need to fill? Maybe it’s time for you to seek out more mentorship, participate in team projects, or communicate your accomplishments more actively?
Remember, preparation and proactivity are key to getting promoted.
The path to promotion is a journey, not a sprint. Focus on these aspects and continually strive for growth. Roll up your sleeves, take charge of your professional development, and get ready to step into the spotlight!