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My experience at several large companies I worked for, the promotion comes because the activities are already at the new, higher level. i.e., working at SVP/level 7 when officially at VP/level 6 for a period when the promotion is offered.

Good or bad, this is how the industry I work in promotes.

I think the best approach is to take on extra, above position responsibilities, accountabilities after discussion with superior, after agreeing in writing that this is part of a path to promotion.

2 comments

I agree. I'd argue that if you can't start a conversation with your superior about future promotions and job goals, you're probably not gonna get that promotion anyway.

Your manager is gonna be the one asking their own manager to pay you more, and will be the one doing reviews.

Also: stepping on other people's toes can crush team morale, which can sure delay promotions. Saw it happening. Keeping the manager in the loop is a good way to avoid it.

Often you need not only to be at the higher level, but someone to call out that if they don't promote you you might leave. I've seen a lot cases (at many companies) where one person that everyone knows is good quitting for a promotion gets a dozen others promoted in the next few months. So if you realize you are not getting a promotion your leaving may be the trigger to get your coworkers promoted.

Correct. The best way to be promoted / given more money is to be a cherished contributor and be deemed a flight risk.

True, that can happen, but that feels toxic. A threat by the employee will always breed some negative feelings towards the employee, even if it is subconscious.

I am just writing about relatively sane, stable organization where the employer-employee relationship is stable and acceptable.

I think you (and the other) misunderstood. You are not threatening to leave here! Either you actually leave (their first notice is your two weeks), or someone else does and the company realizes if they don't promote good people fast those others will take the same hint and leave.

I agree that threatening to leave is a bad thing. Either get out or be content where you are: middle grounds do nobody any good.

But indicating you are hoping to be promoted is expected and encouraged at any functional and growing organization.