
How to Ask for a Promotion – And Get it
The new year is a time for resolutions, reflecting on where you are, and setting goals for the future. Google searches for “how to get promoted” have risen by 277% in the last month, and there are 30.1 million posts under the TikTok search “how to get promotion at work”, so it seems like the resolution at the top of many people’s lists is climbing the career ladder. Career expert Rob Phelps at AI Jobs explains the best way to ask for a promotion in the new year – and make sure you get it – as well as revealing a few things that might be holding you back.

REFLECT ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
It’s important to assess your current position and begin with some self-reflection before asking for a promotion. Look back on the past year and think about what you’ve accomplished – have you consistently exceeded targets? Taken on additional projects or responsibility? Have you earned new skills? Reflect on feedback or performance reviews you’ve been given, too, and think of examples of steps you’ve taken to addresses areas for improvement.
Build a record of your successes and challenges you’ve overcome, so you can be prepared to present them in your pitch for promotion.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Doing your research is crucial; not only will it help you understand what would be expected of you in the new role, but it will also demonstrate to your managers that you’re serious about your career growth, and you’ve done your homework.
Speak to trusted colleagues who have successfully been given the promotion they asked for, who might be able to give you tips and advice.
Look up job listings for similar roles elsewhere, to help you understand what is typically expected in the role you’re asking for. This will also give you an idea of the average salary for the role and help you understand your worth, so you’ll have a solid foundation for pay negotiation.
SET YOUR GOALS
Promotions aren’t one-size-fits-all so you need to make sure you’re clear about your own professional goals so you can communicate them effectively, and make sure you’re asking for exactly what you want.
Think about what motivates you and what your priorities are – whether you’re looking for leadership opportunities, additional training or mentorship to help develop your career, or simply a more senior title and a salary to match.
PLAN YOUR APPROACH
Make a plan for how you’re going to approach the conversation. Getting the timing right is important, and January is a good time because many companies will be setting their own goals for the year and reviewing budgets before the financial year ends.
Request a formal meeting with your manager to discuss your future rather than casually dropping hints about wanting to progress. Build your case with evidence of your achievements, what you bring to the team, value you’ve added to the business, and how ready you are for the next steps in your career.
GO IN WITH CONFIDENCE
It can often make people uncomfortable to talk about their achievements in the workplace, worrying that it will make them sound like they’re boasting, but confidence is key. Remember – highlighting your accomplishments isn’t bragging, it’s simply sharing the value you bring to the company, and how you can use that value to progress. Your accomplishments are what will show the decision-makers that you’re ready to move up, so don’t downplay your successes – own them.
BE PERSISTANT
Just as not every job application leads to an interview, not every request for a promotion will get the results you’re hoping for. Sometimes a promotion isn’t immediately possible due to things like budget constraints, or perhaps your manager doesn’t think you’re ready. Ask for constructive feedback if your request is denied, asking exactly what you can do to achieve your goals, and agree when you can revisit the conversation in the future. Continue to keep a record of your achievements, work on what you can improve, and increase your skills. Don’t give up!
KNOW WHEN TO WALK AWAY
If you’ve done all you can and you’re still not getting the promotion you want, it might be time to move on. Leaving a job can be scary, especially if you’ve been there for a long time, but it could also be the best decision for your career. Remaining in a stagnant role like this can stifle your career development, and if you can’t see a path to progression in your current role, you might need to get off the dead-end road and look for an alternative route.
3 REASONS YOU’RE NOT GETTING PROMOTED
YOU’RE KEEPING QUIET
Don’t wait for someone to notice your potential for growth. It’s crucial to speak up and make sure your managers know that you feel ready to move up the ladder, even if a promotion isn’t possible at the time, or you might remain stuck in the same role forever.
YOU DON’T LISTEN TO FEEDBACK
If you’ve asked for a promotion and have been declined, make sure you listen to exactly why; take the feedback on board and do everything you can so you’re ready for the next opportunity. Being defensive and not listening to feedback will just show your manager that you’re not valuing their opinion, and also suggests that you might not be able to give feedback to others.
YOU’RE NOT TRYING TO GROW
Your managers might not think you’re ready for the next step up, or that you don’t have enough knowledge or training – so without taking the time to gain new skills, you might never be considered for promotion. From asking colleagues or peers in similar roles for advice, to taking online courses, demonstrating to your managers that you’re working on skills could be the difference between you remaining in the same role and moving up the ladder.