Picture this: You’ve been working at your company for a couple of years and giving it your all. The time comes for a potential promotion and you really want it but unfortunately, it goes to someone else. This situation can really hurt! What should you do? You might be tempted to start submitting applications to other companies, but this might not be the best course of action to follow right away. Here are some tips for how to handle getting overlooked for that promotion you wanted:
Stay positive
Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. If you let this incident affect your career performance, it will only hurt you. Channel your upset feelings into your work and use it as fuel to do a better job. Make a list of areas you personally think you can improve on and get to work.
Ask for feedback
Treat this as a learning opportunity because that’s what it is! Go to your boss and ask for some feedback on what you could have done better to get the promotion you wanted. You’ll gain insight into what you can improve on and what you can do better next time. This way, you and your boss will have clear expectations of where you are trying to improve and actively be able to measure your progress. This will go a long way the next time you have a review, and your manager should respect your confidence in asking and your desire for career advancement.
Consult your coworkers and network
Look to your coworkers to help you examine your career habits, and ask for advice based on theirs. They can help you evaluate what you should do next time around and share their own personal experiences to help you grow. Ask your mentor for advice. Don’t have a mentor? This would be a great time to seek one out.
Think about next steps
Just because you didn’t get the promotion, doesn’t mean you should leave the company right away. However, you should make sure you start putting your plan into action to do better so you will get it the next time around. Take advantage of the feedback you have received and set a timeline for yourself. While you don’t want to make a hasty decision and leave on the spot, you don’t want to settle for complacency either. You know better than anyone what your time and skills are worth and you should trust your instinct on that!
When you first get passed over for a promotion, it can feel like the end of the world, but keep these tips in mind and turn a negative into a positive! If you do find yourself looking for your next opportunity, partner with a staffing agency to help you find your next career.