What Would You Do? ...
My ceiling isn't glass — it's iron
I've been passed over for a promotion — again. I'm only five to eight years away from retirement (depending on whether I set off into the sunset at age 62 or 65), so maybe I shouldn't care. But I do.
Several of my colleagues are also frustrated about how no one in our division seems to get a promotion, and they're not even close to retirement. Should we just stop wishing and keep our heads down? Or is there something we can do to confront management to help nudge us into new positions?
— Josh, company withheld
Summary of Best Advice Received
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Superman's not the only one who can crash through a ceiling
by Meryl K. Evans, editor, Professional Services Journal
Failing to get a promotion is always hard. However, you can't let anger and disappointment get the better of you. It's time to start moving in the right direction, by trying the following three suggestions:
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Meet with the boss.
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Do a self-assessment.
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Look to the future.
Meet with the boss
Having a heart-to-heart with your boss is difficult, but James Robbins suggests sitting down and talking with the boss about why you didn't receive the promotion. "Ask what qualities and experience your manager was looking for when he or she evaluated the candidates for promotion," says Robbins.
Work up from there by asking about the qualities and experience the company expects of those in higher-level positions. Knowing what management values and expects provides you with a better understanding of how to position yourself when another promotion opportunity comes by.
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Do a self-assessment
Doing a self-assessment means looking at what you have to offer and comparing that to what the company requires for those who move up the ladder. This isn't the time to fudge details. Robin Sands says this review requires complete honesty. "We all want to believe we're great at our jobs, but you have to acknowledge your weaknesses if you want to improve and move forward," Sands explains.
Of course, look at your strengths and build on those. In making an effort to evaluate what areas you need to improve and working to improve on those, you increase your chances for a promotion.
Look to the future
While it's tough to push disappointment out of your mind, avoid feeling resentment to others. Instead of focusing on what happened, shake it off and look ahead. Tim Marks says, "At my company, we have a 'development' plan for employees who want to get ahead. The plan contains training, skill-development activities and other tasks that contribute to personal/professional growth."
Use the Internet to search for articles on creating development plans, and give the plan a good workout. If your company doesn't have development plans, this is a nice way to show the boss you're taking initiative to improve. Schedule a meeting with the boss, and walk through the plan.
Instead of looking for cracks in the ceiling, take steps to boost your chances of a promotion next time around. With determination and hard work on your part, you might blast through that ceiling when you move ahead in the company.
Meryl K. Evans is the content maven behind meryl.net, helping companies build relationships with clients and prospects through content. Her first book, Brilliant Outlook Pocketbook, comes out in August 2007. Stop by her blog or contact her anytime.
