How to Ask for a Promotion?

Reflect on yourself and your work so far.

The first thing to do in asking for a promotion is to think carefully about what you have done in the past, what you are doing currently, and the prospects for what you can deliver in the future. Take time to reflect on yourself and your ability. What do you want from the promotion? Is it more money? More power? More responsibility? Do you covet a position or ready, or you expect a new role to be created? Another thing that you have to think about is the organization’s objectives alongside your skillset. Do you have the skill set to move the organization forward in your expected role? This will determine if you are a fit for the position and if your request will be granted. Otherwise, you might just be wasting your time.

Do your research

There are certain things that you need to know before you ask for a promotion. Firstly the higher your role is in the company, the higher the likelihood that one person doesn't determine your position. Your manager, as peers, can have a take on this decision as well. Before jumping into asking for a promotion, measure your weaknesses and strengths from your peers. If you have access, you can request a member of the board of directors for feedback about your performances. This will give you an idea of how you perform and their perception of you and your work.

Also, it will be smart to take examples from past incidents. Do your research about people who previously asked for promotion in the organization, how their request was handled and what strategies they used to succeed? Your colleagues will also be able to tell you if you are ready to take up a new role. Remember that if you are taking up a leadership position, people must be able to follow you beyond just the result you are delivering personally.

Articulate your point clearly and precisely

If you’re holding any conversation in which you’re asking for something, you know that you must be clear about what you want and what you don’t want. The difference between the both must be as transparent as daylight. To do this, you need as much information as you need.

In this case, one thing you must be clear about is the salary you will be getting. Make your request based on an understanding of levels and uncompetitive research. Know your value and the organization and ask for a corresponding salary for the new role you expect to take up. This means that you might have to spend time on salary information websites to give you an idea of what to ask for so you don't ask for too much or too little. Factors that you must consider your certification level of education, training, years of experience, achievements, and responsibilities.

Before you approach your manager, don't have a number in mind; instead, keep a salary range. In all of this, you might be better off seeking the advice of a more experienced professional or a mentor about what range to ask for so you don't go overboard with your request and appear to undervalue yourself.

Use metrics to build and support your case

It is not enough for you to have all the information about a competitive salary if you don’t build a good case for yourself. They are facts that you must highlight if you want to win a case as delicate as this. Use this data and metrics to prove your usefulness and value to your organization and how much of a difference you have made in the past and can make in a new role.

Be careful not to base your request around opinions but facts. Ensure you have data, documentation, metrics, etc., to prove your point to your manager. If there are projects that you initiated and processes that you streamlined to help the company achieve its goal, highlight them.

Set expectations months before to prepare your boss for your request

It is unwise to wake up one morning and then ask for a promotion at your workplace. This is one of the easiest ways to lose your value and make yourself very dispensable. If you're going to ask for a promotion, make sure you have it planned out over some time, typically within six months. You should never surprise your boss with a question about your promotion or raise in salary. If your boss or employer is surprised, then there is a high chance that you are doing something wrong that has significantly impacted your chances of getting a promotion anytime soon.

So be careful with this. Take your time and plan for it. Let your manager see how much work you put in. Let them see the results of your work. Carry them along with your achievements and accomplishments. All of these make you an ideal candidate for promotion. Even when you ask for it by yourself, they are not surprised because they had it coming and will be very willing to grant your request.

If you make your request too sudden without laying precedent, then it appears you are putting them in a tight corner, and no one likes to be cornered. They will naturally be defensive if this is the case, and you are very unlikely to get what you want.