Asking
for a promotion can be nerve-wracking. But when you think you’re ready for the
next step, it’s important to say so. How do you prepare for that conversation
with your boss? What information should you have at the ready? And how exactly
do you make your case?
What the
Experts Say
“Asking for a promotion makes you feel vulnerable,” says Sabina Nawaz, the global CEO coach, leadership keynote speaker, and writer. “You’re not in control; you’re putting yourself in the hands of your manager to be judged — and you might be judged not worthy.” You may fret that you’ll be “bugging your boss” or come across as greedy and “self-serving.” But, to advance in your career, you’ll need to learn to advocate for yourself, says Joseph Weintraub, the founder and faculty director of the Babson Coaching for Leadership and Teamwork Program. “You can’t assume that the organization will take care of you just because you do a good job,” he says. “There is a degree of self-promotion that’s needed.” Put simply: “if don’t you ask, you don’t get.” Here are some pointers on how to make the request.
