If you feel you’re overdue for a job promotion but you keep getting overlooked, you need to ask yourself some tough questions. 

Putting yourself in a good position for a promotion requires a combination of skills, effort, and planning. It’s not one of those things where you can wake up one day and decide it’s time. 

A good place to start is by asking yourself: 

• Do I have the skills required for the role I want? 

• Have I maximised the experience I can achieve for my current role? 

• Am I demonstrating my ability to my manager? 

• Is my manager aware of my career ambitions? 

• Is there scope to advance in this company? 

Below I outline some steps that may help you increase your chances of getting promoted.

Excel in your current role

You need to consistently deliver good work and meet or exceed your current job expectations. 

Also, showing ownership and initiative with your work helps demonstrate you are prepared for that step up. 

Set yourself SMART goals

Discuss your career goals with your manager and align them with the company's objectives. 

Create a goals plan outlining the skills and experiences you need to achieve your desired promotion and make them SMART. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timebound.  

Build on your people skills

This can often be overlooked especially if roles are very technically based. Having strong technical ability is great, but if you want to be promoted, you must understand how you work best with people and teams and if your communication skills are at the level required for the role.  

Seeking mentorship and guidance from experienced colleagues or mentors within or outside the company can often help with this.  

Develop any additional relevant skills

Identify the skills and knowledge required for your next step. Look at taking courses, workshops and picking up additional tasks or activities at work that will help you build on your skill base. 

Know how to demonstrate your achievements

Over a period quietly write down your accomplishments and contributions as you go. When there are opportunities like one-on-ones or your performance review with your manager don’t be shy to highlight these. Everyone will have their way of doing this, however, unless you share how you feel you are progressing you can’t expect your manager to know where you feel you are at. 

Seek feedback

Always encourage feedback to be provided and be open to constructive criticism and actively work on improving where you need to. 

Regularly communicate with your manager about your career development and any areas for improvement. 

Put your hand up for things

Participate in team activities or take on leadership or outside of scope opportunities to 

demonstrate your ability to lead or manage others effectively.  

Stay up to date

Always be learning and keeping yourself informed about any industry trends or changes in your field. Showing commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in your chosen field demonstrates your ability to be an expert. 

Connecting

Attending company events, team learning/sharing sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. 

Build relationships with colleagues who you can learn from in your organisation.  

Be patient

Understand that promotions may not happen immediately, and patience is often required. 

However, continuously work towards your goals but remember your SMART goals and ensure your goals are Timebound and have a realistic deadline.  

Consider lateral moves

Sometimes, taking on a different role or area can enhance your skill set and make you a stronger candidate for future promotions.

Seek external opportunities

While your focus may be on advancing within your current company, sometimes businesses aren’t set up to offer career advancement at your level or within your timeframe. That’s when looking at external job opportunities may be required. For some people it can be the best way to progress. 

Remember that every company is set up differently, so it's important to be aware of your specific workplace culture and policies.  

And lastly, regularly evaluate your progress and adjust as needed to increase your chances of getting promoted.