[Ask Chaitra]: “I haven’t been promoted for the last three years despite a good performance rating…”

"Dear Chaitra, I'm writing to you because I need some advice. I love my job  and am good at it as well. But, I've not been promoted for the last three years despite having a good performance rating. It's only me, many of my colleagues who joined after me have got a promotion. My managers don't have an issue with me so why haven't they promoted me yet? Should I look for a new job so that I can finally get a promotion? Thanks in advance, A Working  Woman"

Dear Working Woman, 

Firstly, I just want to say, as a woman, you should have been used to asking for things that men are readily given by now.  Promotions are no different. You need to state your intention and goal, share it with your manager and mindfully work towards earning a promotion. For all you know, your boss doesn't want to lose you and is intentionally holding you back for his/her own interests. In that case, if you keep waiting for your boss to notice your hard work and promote you, you might be in store for a long, long, wait. By initiating a conversation, the ball is in your court and you can quickly change plans if you see that your manager is not serious about promoting you in the near future.

You're not alone. A lot of us are prone to becoming passive when it comes to our professional lives. Instead of taking charge of our professional development, we are content with the backseat. Alas, promotions do not come on a silver platter, unless you are well-connected.  Stop letting your career run on autopilot and waiting around for your boss to promote you, it's time you take responsibility for your own career growth. Here's what I would do if I were in your shoes. 

1. Understand the Role

Don't aim for a promotion just because it seems to be the only next step. You need to develop a thorough understanding of the responsibilities you will need to undertake in order to determine if a promotion is the right step for you. Therefore, take time to speak to a mentor, senior colleague, or your boss to determine if you are heading in the right direction. 

2. Quantify your Value

You may be a valuable employee to the organization but that doesn't mean anything unless the numbers speak. Keep track of your achievements and contributions by regularly setting aside time. Documenting these will not only show how far you have come in your current role but also justify you asking for a promotion / raise. 

3. Keep Your Manager in the Loop

Your all your hard work will go to waste if your stakeholders aren't aware of the effort you have put in and the results you have accomplished. Help them stay aware by regularly sharing updates on the milestones you have crossed, goals you have achieved and contributions you have made. 

4. Determine what it will take

Ask your manager what it will take for him/her to promote you. Don't settle for vague answers like "You need to show better results." Instead, ask him/her to specifically pinpoint areas where you need to demonstrate your potential better. You can set goals in these areas to review with your manager at a point of time in the future. ​

5. Follow Up Regularly

Don't wait for a whole year to broach the topic of your promotion again. Instead, set up review meetings every quarter to get feedback on your progress and understand if you are on the right path. Use the feedback to make necessary adjustments to your goals / metrics.

When it comes to your career, don't settle for the backseat. Grab the wheel with both hands and steer yourself towards greater success and fulfillment in your professional life.