What to do if you were passed over for a promotion

Finding out you’ve been passed over for a promotion can be a letdown, but we promise it’s not the end of the world — or your career. It’s natural to wonder why you didn’t get a promotion and feel a mix of confusion, frustration, and disappointment. However, this setback isn’t the end of your professional journey but rather an opportunity to reflect, learn, and set yourself up for future success. Read on to explore seven steps you can take to work through the many emotions you may be experiencing and bounce back stronger than ever. 

7 things to do if you were passed over for a promotion

Here are seven proactive steps you can take to channel your disappointment into positive growth, build on your professional skill set, and position yourself for future opportunities. 

1. Acknowledge your feelings

While it’s important to maintain composure and a professional demeanor at work, that doesn’t mean you should just shrug off your feelings. Instead, take the time to process your emotions by talking to a close friend or family member. It may also be helpful to journal about this experience to reflect on your career trajectory and give yourself a safe space to vent. It’s natural to feel disappointed and frustrated, but try to avoid dwelling on negative emotions for too long. There will always be new opportunities to advance in your career.

2. Seek feedback

Once you’ve had time to cool down and process your emotions, consider reaching out to your supervisor or human resources to request constructive feedback about your job performance. Taking the initiative to seek feedback can show others you’re willing to do the work to advance in your career. Use the information you get from your meeting with your supervisor or HR to identify areas for growth and develop an action plan. Depending on your career goals, you may also ask for additional resources to aid you on your career journey.

For example, you can ask if your manager knows of any free educational resources you could explore or if the company would be willing to invest in a certification program on your behalf. Many organizations offer mentorship programs and continuous learning opportunities to help employees gain new skills throughout their careers. 

3. Reflect on your performance

If you’re not comfortable seeking direct feedback from your supervisor, HR, or another leader at your company, you can still reflect on your job performance to look for insight into why you didn’t get a promotion. Do your best to evaluate your skills, accomplishments, and areas for improvement objectively by revisiting past employee performance reviews and feedback you’ve received from your colleagues, customers, or clients. Then consider how you can improve your performance to better align with your career goals in the future.

4. Set new career goals

Sometimes being passed over for a promotion is an opportunity to re-evaluate your career goals and aspirations. Take the time to reflect on your career journey so far. Then, develop a plan that outlines your specific career objectives and the steps you need to take to achieve them. By breaking your career goals down into more manageable actions, you can develop a roadmap to track your success over time. This proactive approach to professional development can help you stay focused, motivated, and empowered.

5. Invest in your professional development

There’s never been a better time to invest in your professional development. Start by reviewing the resources your employer offers to see if there are any certifications, training programs, or workshops they’re willing to compensate you for. If your company doesn’t offer these perks, don’t worry. There are plenty of free or affordable professional development opportunities available.

Consider which skills would be most beneficial in your desired role and research courses on these topics to find one that aligns with your interests. You can also reach out to colleagues who already have experience working in your dream job to ask for recommendations. Embracing continuous learning not only demonstrates your commitment to your chosen career field but also prepares you to take on more responsibility in the future.

6. Expand your network

The old saying is true — it’s not always about what you know, but who you know, that plays a big role in your career advancement. Cultivating positive relationships with your colleagues, mentors, and other industry professionals can improve your chances of receiving a promotion in the future, especially if they see you as a genuine team player. 

Networking can also provide you with valuable insights and new opportunities to collaborate on projects you wouldn’t otherwise hear about. You never know when one of your colleagues might be hiring for your dream role in the future. By focusing on building your professional community, you increase your chances of being recommended for jobs that align with your career goals and interests.

7. Seek new challenges

Whether you decide it’s time to switch gears and work for a new company or you simply want to prove you’re up for a challenge at the company you currently work with, stepping out of your comfort zone is a great way to advance in your career. Consider volunteering for special projects, cross-functional teams, or leadership roles inside or outside of your current organization. Being open to new challenges demonstrates initiative and showcases tenacity, which are qualities hiring managers and employers look for when promoting employees.

“Embracing continuous learning not only demonstrates your commitment to your chosen career field but also prepares you to take on more responsibility in the future.”

Tips to help you advance in your career

Just because you didn’t get a promotion this time doesn’t mean there isn’t another opportunity right around the corner. Here are some additional tips to help you advance in your career: 

• Maintain a positive attitude: While it’s perfectly okay to feel your emotions, do your best to maintain a positive attitude in the workplace by focusing on the aspects of your job you enjoy and excel at. This can increase your productivity and resilience and also make you a more enjoyable person to work with, which can improve your chances of being promoted in the future. 
• Focus on what you can control: While you may not have control over whether or not you get promoted, you can control your reaction to these types of situations. Be kind to yourself during this time of disappointment, recognize that setbacks are a natural part of professional growth, and continue to focus on doing work you’re proud of. 
• Celebrate small victories: Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how minor they may seem. Recognizing progress boosts confidence and motivation, fueling your drive to accomplish your career goals. 
• Remain open to new opportunities: Stay flexible and receptive to new opportunities, both within and outside your current organization. Keep an eye out for roles that align with your skills, interests, and long-term career aspirations. 
• Stay connected with leadership: Maintain open lines of communication with your supervisors and leadership team, even if you’re considering exploring career options with another company. Express your continued interest in your professional development, and seek their mentorship to keep moving forward. 

While no one enjoys being passed over for a promotion, we hope the steps in this article help you turn your setback into success and an opportunity for growth. Stay focused on your long-term goals, and you’re sure to land your dream role someday. If you’ve decided it’s time to search for a new job at a different company, we’re here to help with that, too. Simply upload your resume to CareerBuilder to start finding potential employers with amazing opportunities in your career field.

More advice to get promoted

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Set your sights high with our guide on how to develop and accomplish your career goals. 

Networking is key when it comes to advancing throughout your career. Check out these tips for building positive work relationships to set yourself up for success. 

So, you’re being considered for another promotion. Take the time to prepare by reviewing these common interview questions and tips for answering them. 

Congratulations, you finally got that promotion you’ve been dreaming of! Now what? Learn how to transition into your new role with flying colors.