Promotions are proactive, not reactive.
It is important that your work and impact are recognized and that you are rewarded for your contributions. But how do you make that happen?
Don’t wait for your manager to bring it up, you should start the conversation. It is perfectly reasonable to ask for a promotion; many people feel shy about it, but you don’t need to. Pitch your case for a promotion and see how your manager responds.
Two cases - either your manager says you’re ready, or they will say you are not. If you are ready, that’s great! Work with your manager to formalize the promotion packet and ensure everything is aligned for the upcoming cycle.
If you are not ready, work with your manager to create an actionable plan. This plan might take a few quarters to a few years to complete, and that’s okay. Think of it as a checklist. Once you’ve completed it, pitch again.
Now, if you’ve done everything that was asked and you are still told “not yet,” the possible paths you have are
- wait, it could be a genuine case where roles aren’t open
- have a firm conversation up the ladder and pitch again
- look for growth opportunities in adjacent teams
- begin looking for new roles elsewhere, and make a responsible transition when the time is right.
There is no absolute right or wrong here. The only wrong move is reacting with harsh or emotional language to express disappointment. Stay professional, always.
Chasing promotions is important, but it shouldn’t consume all your energy. Even if it does, that’s okay, because you own your career. Just make sure you are also growing, doing work you are proud of, and finding peace in what you do.