6 Tips for Asking for a Promotion, According to CEOs
We asked 6 CEOs on how to ask for a promotion. Here's what they had to say.
If you're looking to level up in your career, you need to approach it strategically. Here are six tips straight from CEOs on how to snag that promotion.
- Do the Job Before Asking
Start doing the job before you ask for the title and pay increase. If you are already doing the work successfully, you've got a strong case for immediacy, and it will be pretty difficult to turn down your request.
Michael Alexis, CEO, Island Residency Solutions
- Document and Quantify Your Achievements
Documenting your achievements is the foundation of your promotion request. You want to provide concrete, quantifiable evidence of how you've added value to the company, so prepare a clear and compelling record of your successes.
Go over recent projects, tasks, and responsibilities you've handled, especially those where you've gone above and beyond. Include instances where you took the initiative, showed leadership, or solved problems creatively.
Whenever possible, add numbers to your achievements. For example: "Increased department sales by 20% over the last quarter," or "Streamlined the onboarding process, reducing time-to-productivity for new hires by 30%."
Emphasize any skills or knowledge you've gained that contribute directly to your readiness for a higher role, especially if these skills align with the requirements of the promotion.
If you've received positive feedback from managers, colleagues, or clients, include it. Awards, special mentions in meetings, or emails of appreciation also support your case as they show recognition from others.
For ease and clarity, create a summary document or presentation. This can include a bullet-point list, charts, or graphs to visually represent your achievements, especially if you're showcasing metrics like revenue growth or cost savings.
Gary Edwards, Owner, Voceer
- Track and Highlight Measurable Impact
Document measurable impact through specific achievements. When promoting staff, we look for individuals who track their contributions to event success. We've found that quantifiable results speak louder than tenure alone.
Daniel Meursing, Founder/CEO/CFO, Premier Staff
- Request a Performance Evaluation
The best way to ask for a promotion is to send a request for a performance evaluation of yourself. Once you're in the meeting with your boss, ask specific questions: How would you rate my performance in the last six months? Was there anything that stands out for good or bad reasons? Your goal is to find out where you stand within your company in the eyes of the person paying you.
Here's the hard part: ask your boss, “What do I have to do to get [desired raise] in the next six months?” Let them know you want to add more value to their company and are interested in making the most impact to their bottom line. This tells your boss you're serious about their business and want real, actionable feedback to achieve your desired goal. Be aware this will put the spotlight on you, your workload, how valuable you currently are to the company—all of it. Best to be honest with how much more you're capable of giving.
Jeffrey Calderon, President, Permits In No Time Inc.
- Focus on Results and Future Plans
When asking for a promotion, keep it simple: focus on the results you've achieved that benefit the company. Mention specific ways you've helped the team hit goals or solve challenges, so it's clear you're adding value.
Then, explain how you can improve and be an asset to them in a new role, like leading a project or finding ways to improve team results. Showing both your past impact and future plans makes it easy for decision-makers to see why you're ready for the next step.
Dinesh Agarwal, Founder, CEO, RecurPost
- Have a Clear and Articulate Pitch
When you go to the concerned authority to discuss your promotion and future prospects, have your pitch ready like you do before any client meeting. Being clear and articulate about why you deserve the promotion can help you persuade the authority figure. Start by reflecting on your contributions to your respective team and the ideas that you have brought to the table, and then move towards what you expect now and how your career is aligning with your aims.
Khurram Suhrwardy, Founder, Caption Easy
