Three ways I adjusted my plan to get a promotion that you can use too!
Here’s the thing. I work for a great company, but my personal history within it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. I mean, I bet there’s few among us that can claim that their work life is and if you can, hang on to that thang, tight! I was overlooked for a promotion for years. Most around me left and moved on but still, I hung on… hopeful. Sometimes resentful, sometimes stressed, exhausted, you name it. But through the years I navigated from team to team getting closer to something that felt right. Still. Not getting paid what you know you are worth is frustrating. After five long yeaarrrs, I got the promotion and here are some tips that could help you too!
Get a Mentor. Whoa man, was this a game changer. I’m lucky that I have a parent and husband that work in my industry and can offer sound advice but having an outside perspective is so nice, and was TRULY what I needed. My mentor retired from my current company in a leadership position that I rolled up to, so she knew me and my work. What made this nice is that she could speak to MY contributions specifically and our conversations boosted my confidence so much. Seriously, if you’ve been hesitating like I was, stop.
Stop asking. Start telling. Instead of asking if I was ready, I started speaking up on all the facts that PROVED I was ready. For the last five years my conversations around promotion were passive although I knew I deserved one. Something about saying I DESERVE was so intimidating… but it was the truth. I speak to my manager once a week and instead of saying things like “Is it time for promotions again?” or “I haven’t gotten a promotion in a long time” I started saying things like “I deserve this promotion because for the last XX amount of years I’ve run and managed this program and these are my contributions”. The whole dynamic of our discussions changed, because you can’t help but give props to results.
Advocate often! I had to quit being shy. After years of being looked over I had to speak up for myself. Like I mentioned above, my manager and I meet once a week. I made sure that my promotion was a topic of conversation on every call (for months) even if it was just for five minutes. A few weeks in, I didn’t even have to initiate the topic she would just jump in and give me updates. Whenever I talked to previous managers I would bring it up and ask them to put in a good word for my record. I meet with my second line manager once a quarter and I made sure that on that call it was brought up. Everyone heard my spiel, but when the promotion came, it also meant everyone was celebrating with me and that felt great!
So there you have it! I hop you find these tips helpful. Maybe you’ve heard them before but haven’t put them into practice. Do it for you and know that I’ll be cheering you on!