Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

📢 If you’ve been waiting for a promotion that never comes, it’s time to stop waiting and start positioning yourself for career growth.

You don’t have to jump from company to company to move up. In fact, job hopping isn’t always the best way to advance your career.

The key? Making yourself undeniably valuable where you are.

Let’s break down exactly how to get promoted faster—without switching jobs.

Why Staying Put Can Work in Your Favor

Job hopping can help in some cases, but climbing the ladder within your company often leads to:
✔ Stronger internal credibility—You’re already trusted.
✔ Higher chances of leadership roles—Companies prefer to promote from within.
✔ Better long-term benefits—Retirement plans, bonuses, and tenure perks add up.

The Data: Internal Promotions vs. External Hires

• 82% of promotions go to internal employees. (LinkedIn Workforce Report)
• Companies save 18-20% on salary costs when promoting internally instead of hiring externally. (SHRM)
• Internal hires tend to perform better in their first two years than external hires. (Harvard Business Review)

📌 Translation? Your company wants to promote you. You just need to position yourself correctly.

Step 1: Become the Obvious Choice for Promotion

What’s Holding You Back?

If you’re working hard but still being overlooked, the issue isn’t effort—it’s visibility.

🔹 Do company leaders know your impact?

🔹 Are you seen as a go-to problem solver?

🔹 Do decision-makers associate you with leadership potential?

If not, it’s time to change that.

How to Get Noticed for a Promotion

✔ Take Ownership of High-Impact Projects – Volunteer for initiatives that directly affect revenue, efficiency, or customer satisfaction.

✔ Speak Up in Meetings – Share solutions, insights, and proactive ideas to establish yourself as a thought leader.

✔ Make Your Manager’s Job Easier – If your manager sees you as essential, they’ll advocate for your promotion.

💡 Quick Tip: If leadership isn’t seeing your contributions, document your wins and schedule a conversation to discuss your career goals.

Step 2: Get Clear on the Promotion Path

What Role Are You Targeting?

Promotions don’t happen by accident. If you don’t define where you want to go, you won’t get there.

🔹 What’s the next step in your career path?
🔹 Who currently holds that role, and what skills do they have?
🔹 What gaps do you need to close to be considered?

How to Position Yourself for That Role

✔ Request a Development Plan – Ask your manager for feedback on what’s needed to move up.

✔ Identify Key Competencies – Study job descriptions of higher-level roles and start acquiring those skills.

✔ Take Initiative Before Being Asked – Act as if you’re already in the next role by demonstrating those leadership skills today.

📌 Pro Tip: Promotions favor people who are already doing the work. Start operating at the next level before you get the title.

Step 3: Strengthen Your Internal Network

Why Networking Matters (Even Within Your Company)

Who knows you matters as much as what you know.

• 65% of promotions happen because of strong internal relationships. (Harvard Business Review)
• Employees with executive mentors are promoted 5x faster. (Forbes)

How to Build Influence with Decision-Makers

✔ Develop relationships with senior leaders. Find ways to interact and learn from them.

✔ Seek mentorship from higher-level colleagues.

✔ Collaborate across departments. Being known outside of your immediate team increases promotion potential.

💡 Quick Tip: Leaders promote people they trust. If executives only see your name on emails but don’t personally know your contributions, you’re missing an opportunity.

Step 4: Ask for the Promotion the Right Way

When & How to Make the Ask

The best time to ask for a promotion? After you’ve demonstrated impact, built relationships, and proven leadership readiness.

How to Approach the Conversation

✔ Schedule a Formal Discussion – Don’t just bring it up in passing. Treat it like an interview.

✔ Come Prepared with Data – Have clear examples of how your work has impacted the company.

✔ Frame It as a Win for the Company – Instead of “I want a promotion,” say:

“I’m excited about growing with this company, and I see an opportunity to bring even more value in [X role]. I’d love to discuss what it would take to make that happen.”

📌 Pro Tip: Even if the promotion isn’t available immediately, this conversation puts you on the radar for future opportunities.

Final Thoughts: Your Promotion is in Your Hands

Promotions don’t happen just because you’ve been at a company for years—they happen because you position yourself as the right person for the role.

✔ Make your impact visible.
✔ Develop key leadership skills before you need them.

✔ Expand your internal network and influence.

✔ Ask for what you’ve earned.

Are You Ready to Get Promoted in 2025?

📌 Which of these strategies have you tried? Drop a comment below!

📌 Want to build a promotion strategy that works? Book a Career Coaching Session

Your next role is within reach. The only question is—will you take action?