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My startup is rapidly growing. As a 1-woman marketing department, how do I ask for a promotion?
I manage marketing/PR/international business development for a growing tech startup at our global headquarters. I feel I'm ready for more responsibility on top of what I've taken on -- the many hats I wear I initiated as part of a career goal of building experience in international business development.
The reason I haven't asked for a raise/promotion is 1) I haven't been at the company for a full year yet (though I'm more a "veteran" than the many newer employees and have proven my value to the company) and 2) our company organizational structure is not well defined. My direct manager is the CEO. Therefore, if I ask for a promotion they'd basically be creating a new position and/or just changing my job title and giving me further responsibilities. This is definitely what I want along with a pay bump, but not sure how to go about asking. My boss is (understandably) very busy and it's hard to get his attention, so my time with him first goes to my actual work as priority.
I did create a visual presentation of sorts that shows how my marketing campaigns have driven business growth, which I may use in the actual asking. However, I'm unsure on whether to ask for a specific salary amount.
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947
05/03/19 at 1AM UTC
I love that you are taking initiative to ask for a promotion. LOVE. IT!
I personally have done this many times throughout my career. I'm a huge advocate of asking for a promotion and shaping your own career path. I would be really happy to offer you some one-on-one advice on how to structure this.
From my experience, the most successful way of doing this is through building a business case. You had mentioned organizational structure, I would put a proposal together that all outline the employee hierarchy, where you fit in, job roles, accountability Etc. This is particularly important for new companies because when startups begin it is a small pool of staff doing many different things. As a company grows, more people get added, and the lines get blurred as to who is responsible for what. With you starting this conversation it shows that you have the forethought in the leadership to escalate your position! You will also be shaping the conversation so as things like salary get discussed (which will be organic) you will be in a better position to make a salary request.
I have a free resource on my website on how to ask for a pay increase. This process can easily be applied to crafting your own job promotion. It would be very similar steps just the intention of your request would be for my promotion / structure / salary instead of just a salary increase.
https://www.liberatedtribe.com/training-more
I'd love to see more of what you have for this proposal. Connect with me if you wish :)
Regardless, GOOD LUCK!!
Melissa
The Liberated Tribe
Bosslady226619
13
07/14/18 at 1:52PM UTC
Plan an encounter, get on your boss's calendar well in advance. Take it offline. Go for coffee, go for lunch, call it a connection meeting. .Plan your vision for the evolution of your vision for the company. Conversate over your ideas, adjust as you get feedback and don't preach. Be a team player by reminding your boss that a shared vision for the company is the essence of a start up. Talk about your career goals and use specific titles of positions at similar businesses. Study the industry and find similar positions with more powerful titles as examples. "I know at xyz company they have a Director of Marketing who has really helped shape their success. In this indusrty, Marketing Directors average about $85k a year." Money is a necessary topic at this point, just pull the bandaid and find a way to connect to his professional growth in his career. Your boss should be just as committed to your success as you are to his. Reinforce mutual commitment to the cause through out the conversation. Toot your own horn. It's ok to call attention to the positive impacts you have made at the company and possibly work in how this can compensate for an increase in salary. Take a deep breath and just ask for a change in title to go along with the vision you and he just created. Your boss didn't get this far in the start up phase because he dances around issues. Be bold, be real and ask for what you want. You've just created this bond and shared vision over the course of the lunch, now use it. Be open to further negotiations if a title cannnot be agreed upon at that time. (My boss likes to sleep on all decisions.) Follow up with another meeting because that may be where you need a presentation. Go get it girl. What is the worst that will happen? He will know your goals and you will know his.
Girly GirlLover of cinema
712
06/22/18 at 6:38PM UTC
How long have you been at the company? Perhaps waiting a year seems like a long time but a natural time to bring up everything you’re raising is during your annual review. That said, If you feel you can’t or should’nt have to wait, then by all means ask now. If you have a specific number in mind go for it - I also think it will make it easier for your distracted boss to come to an answer rather than feeling like he has to not only agree but also come up with the specific raise amount.
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