Promotion Tips and Success Stories?

RheaReg2010

January 7,2023 at 2:54PM UTC

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Promotion Tips and Success Stories?

I work for a fairly large biotech since 7 years and had been promoted once.

I changed departments in 2021 and have steadily taken on additional responsibilities with a purpose of helping me with my professional development.

I want to very actively pursue a promotion this year and looking for advice on how best to go about it with my supervisor. I was informed at a recent 1:1 that I am working at one level above me yet in the most recent round of promotions in Dec I was not even considered whereas a couple of folks who had lesser experience and joined later than me in the department were promoted.

How should one go about this with supervisor without taking it too personally and not letting it affect our morale?

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Cyndi RosenblattJanuary 7,2023 at 6:35PM UTC
Have you directly asked your supervisor what steps you need to take to get promoted?
If you're taking on a lot of the relevant technical responsibilities, they may be looking for growth in your soft skills, or some specific initiative from your side. You'll never know if you don't ask. Good luck!
Edit to add: Focus on you and not "other people" - their promotions are entirely separate from your situation unless there's some potentially blatant bias (e.g., they are all male you are the only female). Even then you are likely to have a better outcome if you begin by focusing on yourself and wait to push a narrative of "it's not fair" until it's clear they are dismissing your attempt to advance.
LisaJanuary 7,2023 at 8:00PM UTC
Have an open and honest conversation with your manager. Ask what you need to do to get to the next level. Make a plan (tasks, timeline, training, projects, etc.) with him/her and work towards it. Ask for areas that you can improve on. And then, keep in communication on your progress.
AnonymousJanuary 7,2023 at 9:57PM UTC
In your next 1 on 1:
-say that you are very pleased that your supervisor has acknowledged that you are working one level above you,
-perhaps recap what you’ve taken on in 2022,
-state that you want to actively pursue promotion in 2023,
-ask your supervisor what additional steps you can take and for your supervisor’s support in reaching your goal.
RheaReg2010January 8,2023 at 2:06PM UTC
Thank you. It is surprising the current supervisor has not set up any specific development related 1:1s apart from the mid year and year end feedback and even then has not made any specific mention. I need to definitely be very proactive about this.
Shaun PichlerJanuary 10,2023 at 5:51PM UTC
You've gotten great advice already. I would add that it's important for you to network with your supervisor's peers and with HR. Your supervisor is likely to need to convince his/her peers that you deserve the promotion and if they know you and the quality of your work, that conversation will be much easier for your supervisor. From experience, that piece may actually be the most important part of your path forward.
Tricia BurroughsJanuary 11,2023 at 9:25PM UTC
You should also be able to request from HR or your manager what are the requirements you should be meeting for the next level. Then you can do an analysis of where you may have gaps or overachievement.
Liz MilneJanuary 15,2023 at 4:28AM UTC
Is it possible that your supervisor likes you where you are because you're hardworking and reliable, hence they're not putting you forward for advancement that will take you out of their work sphere?
AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 3:04PM UTC
I have Biotech scientist experience. It can be frustrating and demoralizing. One thing I did that worked amazingly was focus on myself. When you go into the conversation with your manager mention that you have been working toward a promotion by taking on xx additional responsibilities. Ask about the career ladder and explain how you see yourself performing those responsibilities. This will initiate the discussion of there are other things that need to be done prior to, but just starting the discussion now could line you up for a mid year promotion if your company does that.
Unfortunately, I have worked for companies that have a certain quota of individuals who get promoted. Even if 3 people are deserving of it, only 1 or 2 get promoted. Hopefully the tides are changing for the future. Good luck!