If you've been in the same job for years, but aren't progressing, you may begin to feel stuck. This could make you feel like perhaps it's time to look for a new job where you’ll be appreciated and paid accordingly. But, before you make a big decision that you might regret later, stop for a moment and think about why you’re not being promoted.
1. You're Not Proving Yourself
You’re waiting to find a job which you can prove yourself in. You feel as though you’ll show exactly how hard-working you’re capable of being as soon as you’re given the opportunity. Well, that might very well explain why you haven't been promoted. It’s important that you don’t wait until you have an “important” job for you to do your best. But if your employer can’t trust you to do the small jobs now, how can they trust you with the big jobs later on? No matter how small or unimportant you think your job is, it’s important that you always do the best work you can and find ways to extend yourself.
2. You're Not Doing Enough
You’re only doing the bare minimum. Sometimes it’s just not enough to do well at what’s expected of you. You need to excel at what you aren’t expected to do. This should mean having to stay late a couple days a week to finish a presentation before a deadline. Or it could mean volunteering to help with the end-of-month function. Some even choose to study further or upskill themselves by completing courses online. This could really show your employer that you’re willing to go the extra mile to learn more, a benefit to them and to you.
3. You're Expecting The Wrong Promotion
You expect to be promoted vertically. These days, promotions are more often than not horizontal rather than vertical. This means moving sideways within a company, rather than upwards immediately. It doesn't mean you’ll rank any higher but it does come with new responsibilities. This broadens your skillset, which might serve to equip you for your future career even more than a new job title. If you’re desperate for a promotion and only looking for what's above you, you might not ever see what’s around you at this very moment.
If you didn't get promoted because of one of the reasons mentioned above, you may be wondering what you can do to fix it. Here are some tips.
1. Chat To Your Boss
Have a discussion with your boss. You deserve to be treated fairly. The Constitution of South Africa says everyone has the right to fair labour practices. This means that if you deserved the promotion, you should have been employed in that new position. However, if you didn’t, it’s important that your boss tells you where your skills are lacking and where you need improvement. Your boss should clearly communicate with you and let you know why someone else was promoted instead of you. It’s likely they’ll mention experience, skills or qualifications. Keep in mind that it’s unfair if your boss has breached your company's own promotion policy and consider taking further action if this is the case.
2. Take Responsibility
It’s up to you to upskill yourself. If you’ve had that uncomfortable talk with your boss and they let you know that you don’t have the necessary skills to do the job, now is the time to upskill yourself. Take whatever courses or training you need to ensure you’re qualified the next time a promotion opens up. In addition, if you decide to move on and find a new job, your new qualifications will be attractive to your next employer. Short courses are always a great addition to your CV, so upskilling yourself is always an advantage.
3. Know What Your Bringing To The Company
Know what you’re contributing. It’s important that you go into a meeting with your employer knowing exactly what you contribute to the company and why you deserve to be promoted. Make a note of your achievements over the past few months and make sure these are noted. It is extremely essential that you go into this meeting prepared.
4. Follow Up With Your Boss
Follow up. Don’t leave this meeting without determining the next step. Make sure you’ve set a date for the next conversation on this topic. If you are left waiting for a response, make sure you send a polite follow-up email and don't wait too long to send this email. Remember, you need to make sure you are valued and appreciated within the company. Include some points about your recent achievements in your email, this might be enough to tip the scales in your direction.
5. It's Up To You To Make The Final Decision
It’s important that you know you have options. The ball is in your court, so to speak, so if you feel you were overlooked or passed over for a promotion that you deserved, it’s essential that you fight for what is yours. Now might be the time for you to seek legal advice.
