5 Mistakes That Are Stopping You From Getting A Promotion (And How To Fix Them)
On average only 9% of employees get promoted within the same company. That means 90% of professionals don’t get a promotion.
It may be tempting to think it’s because they are not capable of doing the job, but that’s not true. What prevents most people from getting a promotion is a misconception about what it actually takes to level up.
We’ve been told that doing our job well, being loyal and waiting for our turn is the way to earn a promotion.
But times change. What is expected of employees who want to level up has evolved over time, and completely changed the rules of the game. Simply doing the work is no longer enough.
If you have been passed on for a promotion or you keep making lateral moves it’s time to evaluate what you have been doing (or not doing) and learn how to put yourself on the fast track toward a promotion.
The 5 mistakes that are stopping you from getting promoted
First, let’s set something straight: No one owes you a promotion.
Getting a promotion is determined by the value you bring to the company NOT how long you’ve worked there or how hard you work.
The more value you create, the more valuable you become.
So how do you actually do that, and more specifically, what mistakes should you avoid?
Mistake #1: Just doing your job
Doing your job well is how you stay employed. It doesn’t automatically qualify you for a promotion.
By definition, the next level in your career will require you to do new things. Doing more of the same doesn’t prove you are ready to solve bigger problems or take on more responsibility.
If you want to be considered for a promotion you need to demonstrate you are capable of doing next level work.
How to fix it:
You can try and talk your way into promotion. Convincing your manager to have faith is possible… but it’s a long shot. It’s much easier to act your way into a promotion. Show the company you are ready by actually doing the work.
Early in my career I was working as an account manager. I was one of 6 individual contributors at the company. We all had the same level of experience, we were recruited around the same time, and we were all doing our job well. 8 months into the role I decided to take initiative and came up with a plan to improve efficiency and increase productivity. It was nothing more than a few bullet points on a word document with simple ideas.
That plan landed me a promotion on the spot because it demonstrated my ability to see the bigger picture, to think strategically about the business and take initiative.
Show, don’t tell.