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Prepare for a Promotion
Build your case, align with your manager, and position yourself for the next level.
3-6 months (ongoing)
7 steps
Overview
A structured approach to pursuing a promotion. Covers self-assessment, building your case with evidence, aligning with your manager, addressing gaps, and navigating the promotion process. Works for any role and level.
Prerequisites
- Clear understanding of next-level expectations
- Regular 1:1s with manager
- Track record of strong performance
- Openness to feedback
Steps
1
Understand Next-Level Expectations
2-3 hoursGet clear on what's expected at the next level in your role.
Deliverables:
- •Level expectations document
- •Skills and competencies required
- •Scope and impact expected
- •Examples of next-level work
Tips:
- •Review your company's career ladder or rubric
- •Ask your manager for specific examples
- •Talk to people at the next level
- •Understand both hard skills and soft skills required
2
Honest Self-Assessment
2-3 hoursAssess where you are vs. where you need to be.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Self-assessment against next-level criteria
- •Strengths identified
- •Gaps identified
- •Evidence inventory
Tips:
- •Be brutally honest about gaps
- •Focus on demonstrable evidence, not intentions
- •Ask trusted peers for input
- •Identify 2-3 key gaps to close
3
Build Your Evidence Portfolio
OngoingDocument your impact, accomplishments, and next-level work.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Impact log (projects, metrics, outcomes)
- •Peer feedback collected
- •Cross-functional collaboration examples
- •Leadership examples
Tips:
- •Keep a running log - don't wait until review time
- •Quantify impact wherever possible
- •Collect feedback in writing
- •Document scope and complexity, not just output
4
Close Skill Gaps
3-6 monthsCreate a plan to address gaps and demonstrate next-level skills.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Development plan with specific actions
- •Stretch assignments identified
- •Learning resources
- •Milestones and check-ins
Tips:
- •Focus on 2-3 gaps, not everything
- •Seek stretch assignments that let you demonstrate new skills
- •Ask your manager for opportunities
- •Get feedback along the way
5
Align with Your Manager
30-60 minHave explicit conversations about your promotion goals and timeline.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Shared understanding of your goals
- •Manager feedback on readiness
- •Agreed timeline and milestones
- •Manager as advocate
Tips:
- •Be direct: "I want to be promoted to X by Y"
- •Ask: "What do I need to demonstrate?"
- •Get specific feedback on gaps
- •Check in monthly on progress
6
Write Your Promotion Case
4-6 hoursDocument your case for promotion with evidence and impact.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Promotion document / packet
- •Impact summary with metrics
- •Next-level criteria mapping
- •Peer and stakeholder endorsements
Tips:
- •Structure around level expectations
- •Lead with impact, not activities
- •Include specific examples and metrics
- •Get manager review before submission
7
Navigate the Promotion Process
Varies by companyWork with your manager to submit and advocate for your promotion.
Deliverables:
- •Promotion submitted
- •Manager advocacy confirmed
- •Calibration preparation
- •Backup plan if not this cycle
Tips:
- •Understand your company's promotion process and timing
- •Ensure your manager is actively advocating
- •Prepare for calibration questions
- •If not this cycle, get clear feedback on what's needed