🤓 “It’s kinda awkward but.. can I get a raise?”
How to properly ask for a promotion and what to do pre- and post-discussion.
If you feel like this is your time to shine at work, and you’ve been honing your skills to take your career to the next level, you probably have one goal in mind right now: promotion. Some of us may have never had this opportunity before, hence having no idea on how to go about asking for one—or if one should ask at all.
The thing is, promotion works differently in every company, but there are some common grounds you can explore to create the best promotion-request experience for yourself.
Know your worth
It is important to evaluate your work objectively before pulling the trigger and asking the big question. Sometimes you feel like it’s time for you to get that raise, but you need to know and be sure that you’re ready. Before going into the discussion, ask yourself these questions:
Can you provide data that shows you’ve excelled in your current position and are ready for more responsibility or leadership?
Have you already taken on additional responsibility and performed well?
Have you received an offer of employment outside the company in a role higher than the one you currently hold?
Are you highly regarded among your colleagues?
These questions will help you make an informed decision whether to go forward with the negotiation or not. If you’re not sure where to start and which measurements to use to proof your track record, check out these following 6 steps:
Look for the evidence. Performance reviews, 360 evaluations, and other assessment tools your employers have used can give insight into some of your strengths.
Create a scorecard. Think of how your strengths and abilities matter, and create a scorecard of the key areas your dream role requires.
Rank yourself accordingly. Spell out what you believe are the most important credentials, skills, or other attributes necessary to get the role and put forth your best foot in each area.
Involve references and mentors. Tap the people who you’d ask for references or to be mentors to get a beat on your true value.
Spot your patterns. When people talk about your work, listen for phrases like, “you always” or “you’re known for.”
Monitor your inner voice. When you’re thinking about a task and an incessant chatter lets up a bit, that’s a clue that you’re focused on one of your stronger skills.
Find out more about each step on how to objectively determine your worth at work here.
The best method
Some people might back down from asking to get promoted because they feel like it’s too early in their career to do so. There is no exact right time to propose a promotion. You could always ask even if you haven’t met the criteria, as it demonstrates initiative (but remember not to skip the initial know-your-worth steps!).
Now that you have the what—aka values you can bring to the team, and the when, you just have to pick the right how. The best method is the one that fits the formality of your work environment and the relationship with your supervisor. One of these options could be the one for you:
Intel mode on. You could benefit from talking with the person currently in the role. While you’re at it, do some digging to make sure it’s a position you actually want.
A direct meeting. If you work in a very formal, hierarchical organization, you may decide to put together a presentation highlighting your past successes and the reasons your promotion would benefit the company.
Casually mention it in conversations. Mention that you’d be interested in a position when you see your supervisor around. Take notes on how they respond, and a send a follow-up email after.
Take new responsibilities. The potential downside is that you just have more responsibility with the same title, but hard work will eventually pay off!
Trusted advisor. If you’re not sure that you can tout your own horn, reach out to someone else in your company that might be able to put in a good word for you.
Read more on the ins and outs of asking for a promotion at work here.
Turning a “no” into a win
Asking for a promotion is not a make-or-break career choice. The worst that can happen is that your supervisor will say no—for one or other reasons, but they will have you as a top-of-mind candidate next time an opportunity arises.
Though it is inevitable that you will feel disappointed, be sure not to feel discouraged when facing rejection by considering these alternatives:
Don’t let it define you. Rejection happens to literally everyone. Keep things in perspective and remember that you’re much more than a role or even a career.
Celebrate it. If you always succeed, you aren’t innovating or pushing the envelope. Celebrate your attempt to make a change and the opportunity for growth.
Pause and assess. Take a step back and assess a better approach you could take next time you face a similar challenge.
Don’t hide it. Talk about your rejection with trusted advisors and mentors to process the situation and get outside opinions on what you can do differently.
Recalibrate and go again. Find alternative approaches, preferably a stronger, more creative solution than you did originally.
Learn more about ways to handle rejection at work here.
Though we’re not wishing for you to face any rejections—at work and in life, we hope that you would be equipped for the worst case scenario after reading this week’s Monday Mavens edition.
See you next week for more personal growth insights.
Cheers!