What to Do if Your Request for Promotion Is Denied?
It's hard enough to build your confidence enough to ask for a promotion - it's even harder to deal with feelings of rejection, frustration, or even anger when your request is denied. However, it is important to remember that this is not the end of the world. Such a rejection can often serve as a much-needed "reset" for your professional priorities and give you clarity on where there is room for improvement. If you asked for a promotion and left empty-handed, follow these steps to make the most of the situation.
Express gratitude
If you asked for a promotion, you (hopefully) truly believe you deserve it. Therefore, saying "no" can be shocking and intimidating - and the gut reaction is often to assume the other person is wrong. While verbally countering would certainly feel good in the short term, the way you handle this rejection directly impacts your professional maturity - which will factor into future considerations for like positions within the company.
Instead, say "thank you" once before anything else. Whoever evaluated your promotion took the time to do so and likely put a lot of effort into evaluating it as well as past performance. Also, it can be incredibly difficult to turn someone down - and even though it's not what you wanted to hear, you need their input to move forward. So it pays to keep the relationship positive.
Understand where the gaps are
It's worth considering for yourself why you didn't get the result you expected. Ideally, the request will be judged on your performance alone. However, it's worth considering additional factors that may have played a role.
Perhaps you didn't properly explain the situation - did you cite substantial evidence and were you clear about what the promotion should look like? Even if you made your request outside of a formal review period, you should conduct a self-review of your performance over a period of time. This means, for example, whether or not your goals are still aligned with the overall company goals.
Also, consider whether there are interpersonal dynamics at play that may have influenced the decision. For example, if you've had issues with another person on your team, your manager may be hesitant to give you a promotion until the issues are resolved. Or maybe you had some disagreements with your supervisor: In any case, consider if there are relationships that need to be worked on before you ask for a promotion again.
Ask for feedback - and turn it into a plan
A "no" today could be a "yes" next time. So your job is to figure out what needs to change between now and next time (when you ask for a promotion). First, ask your manager for specific and understandable feedback on why you were rejected this time, and create a personal development plan from that.
It may also be worthwhile to get feedback from colleagues with whom you work closely. You don't have to tell them that you were denied a promotion, but that you are looking for ways to improve your own and your team's productivity. This can not only help you create a tailored action plan, but also lead to closer relationships between you and your colleagues - another factor that can work in your favor the next time you are promoted.
Know when to end it
Let's be clear: If you are rejected when you ask for a promotion, this is usually not a reason to leave your company or your job. In some cases, however, it may be evidence that you have reached a limit with the company and that it may be time to look for other options. One indication might be if your supervisor doesn't seem willing to give you feedback or help you prepare for your next move within the company.
Feeling stuck in a company or role can indeed be a legitimate reason to look for jobs elsewhere - but think critically about whether you've really reached the end of the road within the company, or whether you're making a purely emotional decision because you're unhappy with the outcome of your promotion request. There is no right answer or solution to this, which makes it difficult, but do your best to think objectively about the situation and make a decision that will benefit your career the most in the long run. Sometimes it means putting your ego on the back burner and enduring where you already are.
