Does it feel like everyone else is getting promoted except for you? Many women feel that they are passed over for advancement in the workplace, despite having the skills or experience to do the role.
If you’re looking to advance your career but haven’t received a promotion or raise yet, there might be a few reasons why. Let’s unpack them and look at how to turn things around.
Reasons You’re Not Getting a Promotion
Each person and situation are unique, but there are a few common reasons I see that hold women back from getting the promotion they want:
1. Attitude
Before looking externally at the circumstances around you, look inward. Check your attitude and consider how you show up at work. This comes down to developing self-awareness about how you act and are perceived at work. Are you kind and helpful? Do you support your leaders’ decisions? Do you frequently go against the grain?
It’s often not enough to just be kind or appeasing in the workplace. To be considered for promotion, you need to be a thought-leaders, speaking up and making valuable contributions.
2. Work
People who are promoted are those who work hard and make valuable contributions to the company. So, is your work up to the standard it needs to be?
Check-in and review your projects and accomplishments so you can best advocate for yourself based on the value you provide.
3. Education
While some companies require specific degrees for advancement, most do not. In fact, a recent study showed that a growing number of companies are dropping degree requirements to attract top talent.
Consider how your education leads to personal growth and skill development, equipping you to do the job. Being able to communicate this to your employer will be effective in asking for a promotion.
4. Advocacy
This last point is actually the biggest reason people do not get a promotion! If you don’t put yourself out there and talk to your boss about a promotion, you might never get one.
Though it applies to both men and women, women face a unique performance bias where people do not see them in the role until they’re in the role, which impacts their ability to receive a promotion.
Because of persistent gender bias, women hold less managerial and leadership positions than men across all levels. This makes self-advocacy even more important to achieve promotions and advancement opportunities.
Click on the video below to learn more….!
How to Be Selected for Advancement
To be selected for advancement, then, comes down to self-advocacy and putting yourself out there. Here’s what you need to know:
- Talk to your boss about your past accomplishments and the value you bring to the company.
- Share your vision for the future and provide solutions for the company. Overcome performance bias by taking on projects and roles that show you to be capable of the role.
And all of this starts with a plan. Preparation is key to successfully speaking with your boss and achieving advancement opportunities.
If you want to learn more about what a plan could look like for you, check out My Promotion Plan. This program is designed to help women achieve career advancement by creating a plan for career advancement, boosting confidence, and initiating a conversation with a boss. I’d love to have you join me
