Missing out on a promotion can be discouraging, especially when you have been with the company for a while. Your immediate reaction is probably trying to run through any possible reason it didn’t work out.

While you might never be able to know for certain, Indeed has shared some of the most common reasons that ruled you out for the promotion.

You Don’t Listen to Feedback

If you haven’t demonstrated you can learn from your mistakes, how can your boss trust you to learn an entirely new role? Don’t shrug off criticism. Use it to learn and improve.

You Don’t Display Leader Qualities

Not all promotions are leadership roles, but if this one is, you have to show you are team-oriented. If you keep to yourself and never share your knowledge, you look like a follower.

You Come Off Desperate

Having higher aspirations is good, but not if you seem to be looking beyond your current role too fast. If you always talk about wanting to advance, your boss might wonder how long would you even stick with the promotion before looking at greener pastures elsewhere.

Missing Qualifications

A promotion is a new job and each job has its own qualifications. Make sure you know what the company wants for this new role and check if you have any missing skills or experience.

You Haven’t Made it Clear You Want to Advance

This doesn’t mean broadcasting your desire for a promotion to the whole office. But it could be productive to meet with your boss and let them know you feel you could be doing more for the company and you’d like an opportunity to do so. Not everyone wants that, and your boss might have a wrong assumption about you.

The important thing to remember is being passed over this time does not mean you are never going to get the promotion. Evaluate yourself honestly and prepare for the next time.

For the full list of reasons you may have gotten passed over for the promotion, read Indeed’s post about it here.

___________

Wilmington University, the sponsor of DELCO Today — Career Corner, is a private, open-access institution that serves more than 20,000 adults, including those seeking advancement through higher education and traditional-age students who aspire to become successful global citizens.

One of the most affordable private universities in the Delaware Valley, WilmU is committed to the idea that finishing an undergraduate degree or obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree can be affordable and accessible.

The University offers over 200 accredited and career-relevant degree and certificate programs in flexible online and hybrid formats designed to accommodate adults of all ages who work full- or part-time or juggle demanding career, family, and personal schedules.

Learn more about WilmU here or register to attend one of the University’s webinars. You will find information about academic programs, flexible scheduling options, tuition, admissions, student services, athletics, and more.