Speak Up: How to Get the Promotion You Deserve

only 6.4 percent of employees get a promotion during their first year at a job. This number increases to 22 percent for those in their third year with a company. While this does not mean that you cannot ask for a promotion in your first or second year with a company, it is important for you to do a self-evaluation. Have you contributed enough to the company to deserve a promotion?

At times, it may be worth waiting another year or even just a few more months before attempting to get a promotion. It is also important to note that summer is viewed as the best time to ask for a promotion, which is great for many people who build houses or otherwise work outdoors. Summer is often their busiest season.

Approach the Issue Directly

It might be a bit intimidating to think of approaching your boss and asking for a promotion, but that is the best way to determine if your boss is willing to consider giving you a promotion. Depending on your relationship with your boss, this can be done in a formal setting, where you request a meeting, or it can be done in a casual setting where you mention that you feel that you deserve a promotion. 

Follow Up

After you have mentioned the promotion, it is important to follow up. Send your boss an email. Mention it again a week or so later. Bring it into conversations when you can. Even if there is not currently a position available, make your desires clear. While you should not be annoying, it is important to be persistent. You may not get the promotion right away, but if you don’t give up, you are more likely to eventually be considered for a promotion. 

Have the Why Ready

When asking for a promotion, it is important to have facts, statistics, or other information to justify asking for one. To prepare to ask for a promotion, do things that show that you deserve it. This may include taking on larger projects, taking on more responsibility, or otherwise contributing to the company on a higher scale.  Just be careful not to overstep your responsibilities or appear too eager for the promotion. Becoming a brown-noser or trying to take over your supervisor’s responsibilities are two of the biggest mistakes people make when they are trying to get a promotion. Instead, do your job to the best of your ability, and be willing to show why you are the best choice for the promotion.

You may even want to ask for the opportunity to prove yourself. Volunteer to temporarily take on some of the responsibilities of the position you want. Then, you can show that you are the right person for the job.

The biggest key to asking for a promotion is to make sure that you have planned ahead. Practice what you are going to say beforehand, and then you can approach the issue with confidence. 

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com . To learn more about Michael or to follow his blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com