Gather the facts

Before you take any action or speak to your boss, Grant says it’s essential to gather tangible evidence of your contributions and make sure you leave nothing out. “Put together a portfolio of projects you’ve led, performance reviews, sales figures, client feedback and even emails where your boss has acknowledged your successes and achievements,” she explains. “It’s important that you can paint a clear and undeniable picture of everything you bring to the table to strengthen your position when asking, yet again, for a well-deserved promotion.”

Then, have an honest (but strategic) chat

Sit down with your boss and ask how you can achieve your goals by working together. Instead of accusing them of holding you back, try to understand why; there might be a reason for their hesitation. Perhaps there are specific skills or qualifications they feel you’re lacking and need additional training to be considered for progression or they might think you’re not ready to take on the extra responsibility.

Could your boss be suppressing your career progression? Here’s what to do (and when to move on)