Movin’ on up: 10 Ways to Ask for That Promotion

(Part II of II)

Read Part 1

Asking for a promotion is a daunting task. It’s not something you train for. And it can be an awkward exchange for both you and your boss. So how do you make it as painless as possible while increasing your chance of success? Here are ten ways to make your quest for a promotion worthwhile.

1. Earn the promotion.

The last thing you should do is wake up one morning and decide to ask for a promotion simply because you’re in the mood for one. You can’t ask for a promotion without first earning a promotion. A promotion is something you should seriously evaluate and prepare for. Once you’ve decided a promotion is really what you’re interested in, and have demonstrated an ability to take on more responsibility, then you’re ready to approach your boss.

2. Prepare your boss.

Depending on your boss, it might be a good idea to express your interest in preparing for a promotion before you actually ask for one. This may be a chance for you to get feedback and advice on career advancement. And once you’ve mentioned your interest in a promotion, your increased effort in the workplace and the ultimate promotion conversation will not come as a surprise.

3. Pick a good time.

Don’t go to your boss during the busiest time of the year. Wait for a time when your boss is relaxed and ready to respond to you positively; this applies to the time of year, and even the time of day. It’s also a good idea to ride a wave of success into your boss’s office; it may be best to schedule “the talk” after you’ve made some significant contributions that are a good measure of your success.

4. Pick a method of delivery.

Face-to-face meetings are often the best method for discussing a promotion because it allows for an exchange where you can ask and answer questions. But you know your boss best and may think an email or memo the best approach. You want to make sure your message is clear, and that your boss knows you expect a timely response.

5. Do your homework.

A promotion doesn’t always come with a raise, so you need to decide whether you want the responsibility without the pay increase. Write out a job description listing all your responsibilities, and then do some research to see what others are being paid for comparable work. Also see what title best matches your responsibilities. What more would you need to take on to move to a higher position?

6. Focus on how you benefit the company.

Practice your approach. You don’t want to sound like you’re selfishly grubbing for more money without considering your employer’s needs. By communicating how much you’ve contributed to the company and how much more you’d like to contribute, your boss will be more likely to grant you the promotion. And this is the time when you share all your achievements, measuring your success with tangible numbers.

7. Be specific.

When you talk about the promotion be specific. How would you like to expand your current position and how much more would you like to be paid for it?

8. Don’t use ultimatums, unless you’re willing to act on them.

How badly do you want the promotion? Is this career advancement necessary for you to get you where you would like to go? Budgetary constraints may limit your current employer’s ability to promote you. In that case, you need to consider whether you’re willing to leave if you don’t get the promotion. Either way, you shouldn’t throw ultimatums to bully your boss into a promotion. It will leave your boss with a bad impression and may even prevent you from every getting a promotion or a good reference later.

9. Lighten up.

Be calm, collected, and mature. A tense or desperate tone will make the discussion much more difficult. This can be an awkward meeting for both you and your boss, and if you can lighten things up a bit, it will put you both at ease.

10. Be graceful, whatever the response.

Remember that you shouldn’t end the discussion if your boss doesn’t offer you the promotion. That’s a good time to ask for feedback. What more would you need to do to earn the promotion? Is there a possibility of getting a promotion in the future? Walking out of the office and slamming the door won’t do you or your boss any good.

Asking for a promotion can be one of the most difficult things you do in your career. But if you approach it in just the right way it can be a positive experience, illustrating your determination to advance and succeed while taking the necessary steps to move forward in your career.