How To Manage When We Get Passed Over For A Promotion At Work?

During my 20s, I was very focused on my career growth. Getting a bigger role with an even broader responsibility was my way of evaluating impact, which led me to make many mistakes in the process. I'm sure this is the same for many of us. 

Getting promoted at work is a crucial indicator to validate this expectation that we set for ourselves. 

But when we get passed over for a badly wanted promotion, we will mostly be left highly disappointed. For some, it would even stop our momentum and lose focus on our bigger career goals. 

How's how I would navigate when getting passed over for a promotion or an opportunity at work.

First of all, calm down. It's not the end of the world. 

Self-evaluate why didn't you get the promotion or the opportunity. 

Sincerely ask your line manager how you could be successful next time to land such an opportunity. 

Identify what skills gap you have to meet the required competency

Request for an interim challenge from your boss to demonstrate your growth on the feedback you received. 

Prepare a personal showcase of your contribution to support during the next opportunity. 

Make sure not to let rejection make you a bitter person. Even if you're frustrated, try to keep it to yourself. 

Lastly, have patience. Sometimes your supervisor knows what's best for you and when it is the right time. 

Getting something too early before we are ready can result in our destruction. So try to build a trusting relationship with your line manager so that you're giving the opportunity you deserve. 

Did you ever get passed over for a promotion or an opportunity that you really wanted? How did you manage to handle that rejection?

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#career #promotion #rejection