An opportunity for a promotion has come up at work again. You think you’re perfect for the job, you’ve been working hard, you know the company inside and out… and yet again, you’ve not been chosen to rise up.

Sometimes it takes more than qualifications to be recognised for progression, says Cristiano Winckler, a career expert at Somebody Digital. But it is always helpful to know why you’ve been passed over and what you could be doing differently to ensure your success next time.

Of course, it’s important to remember that a promotion isn’t guaranteed, even if you’re doing absolutely everything right. However, there are a few things that could be holding you back and dampening your chances of securing that all-important raise. 

Great work deserves recognition, but sometimes contributions and soft skills can fly under the radar – especially if you don’t feel able to clearly communicate your achievements to those higher up. “Particularly in large companies with lots of employees, your boss might not be aware that you perhaps have skills that would make you a strong leader, in addition to the skills you have for your current position,” says Winckler. “Make sure you make your skills and abilities known, rather than assuming someone will notice them eventually.”

How to fix it: Don’t be afraid to speak up about your career development and advocate for your progression. “Schedule regular meetings with your manager to discuss what you want from your career, and that you’d like to take on more responsibilities and move up the ladder,” he says. “Be prepared to demonstrate skills and achievements that would make you a strong leader.”

While kindness and being a team player are great traits in a manager, saying yes to everything and being a people-pleaser can hold you back from getting promoted. You might feel like you can’t take the initiative or express your opinions, no matter how valuable they may be, and can find it difficult to provide negative feedback when you need to. You might also spend too much time making others happy and taking on extra work to highlight your achievements and successes, meaning that you’re less visible to managers when they’re looking for people to promote.

How to fix it: Though it may feel hard at first, it’s important to set boundaries in all parts of your life, but especially at work. Constantly performing the ‘trying to make a good impression’ routine can mean you say ‘yes’ to everything. Try to find a balance between showing you’re a team player and a hard worker, but also make sure you’re able to say ‘no’ and turn down requests when you need to. 

“Open communication and trust are essential, and if you have a bad relationship with your manager, it can affect your chances of getting a promotion,” he continues. “You might see yourself as someone who performs perfectly, but without actively seeking feedback (and, importantly, listening to and taking on board the feedback you’re given) you’ll never know the areas for improvement that are holding you back and making them not put you forward for promotion.”

How to fix it: Personality clashes are inevitable in the workplace, but you can learn to work alongside people you get on with naturally as well as people you don’t. Participate in one-to-ones, encourage collaboration and practise working together in a positive way where you can.

Even if you have a great relationship with your manager, constructive criticism can sting, especially if your opinion of your work is very different. “But if you get defensive or dismissive when your manager offers feedback and advice, you miss out on an opportunity for growth, as well as showing them that you don’t value their input and authority,” suggests Winckler. “It can also signal to them that you might not be able to give constructive feedback to those below you, if you were to be in charge of a team.”

How to fix it: The art of managing criticism from our managers is one we all need to learn. Next time you face critique at work and start to feel uncomfortable, angered or even dejected by it, take a moment to reflect on where these feelings might stem from. Being able to control your reaction at the same time as understanding where that response is coming from is the best way to guarantee your success. 

Sometimes the reason you’re not being promoted is the most obvious: you simply don’t have the skills or training for the role. But this doesn’t mean you could never be promoted, says Winckler, and it also doesn’t always mean you need a whole new degree to move up the ladder. “The skills you need might be easily gained by a few training courses, shadowing someone currently in the role you want or even just working on softer skills, like problem-solving and emotional intelligence,” he adds. 

How to fix it: Remember to keep seeking new knowledge, training, and ways to expand your expertise, whether that comes from online courses and qualifications or simply those around you. Don’t assume you know everything; you can always learn something new.  

Images: Getty