Top 5 tips for negotiating a promotion

Asking for a promotion will look different for everyone, depending on the organization’s current position and the staff member’s reason for asking. However, doing these things can help you cover all the right bases when negotiating a promotion.??

1. Informally express your interest first
2. Refer to any certifications gained, or courses taken
3. Don’t let your current title limit you?
4. Show interest in training and development??
5. Angle your negotiation around the benefits for the business?

Informally express your interest initially?

Before springing your desire for a promotion on your manager out of the blue, it’s a good idea to mention it informally first. Why? Well, it will:?

• Give you an opportunity to ask what you can be doing between now and your next performance review to tick the right boxes needed for the role.
• Give them a heads up to get the wheels in motion and consider you properly for the position.??

So, start with a more informal conversation—potentially around a successful piece of work you’ve done or a problem you’ve had to solve. Then, enquire about the next level and what steps you’d need to follow to get there. Now that your manager knows you’re interested in progressing down a certain route, they will have you?in mind should these positions become available.?

Refer to any certifications gained, or courses taken?

Although more employers are seeing the value of soft skills—like good time management, communication and collaborative skills—a lot of emphasis is still placed on certifications and career development learning.?

In fact, our Careers and Hiring Guide: Microsoft 365 & Azure Edition 2021-22 revealed that 75% of Microsoft professionals believe certifications make you stand out in a competitive environment.?One of the reasons commonly given was that employers trust certs as they demonstrate a certain level of understanding and a commitment to learning.?

Our Careers and Hiring Guide: Microsoft Business Applications Edition 2021-22 found that 63% of professionals in the ecosystem think certifications help you stand out in the job market as they provide more credibility and show knowledge in the absence of experience.?

Similarly, courses that develop your knowledge or skillset in any way are a great thing and will be seen as a real asset to your company. Branching away from your specialism may seem scary, but when you can wear many different hats, you can expect your boss to be impressed and more willing to promote you.??

Don’t let your current title limit you?

Of course, you’ll need to consider your current job title and skillset to some extent, as applying for something completely outside of your remit probably won’t be successful. However, focusing on this too much can limit how you perceive your abilities and the positions you put yourself forward for.??

Titles naturally change with progression, so if you’re an administrator, don’t shy away from developer or architect roles, or anything else that takes your fancy—especially if you’ve put in the work to qualify for the position.??

Show interest in training and development??

You may not tick all the boxes for a new position, but if you feel you are advanced enough in most aspects, highlighting these in your promotion negotiation should be easy as you’ll have plenty to talk about. For any skills you haven’t yet acquired, expressing interest in the training opportunities will show how dedicated you are to succeed in the role.??

As well as asking your boss what kind of training they can offer you to assist you in the new role, find out how you can further your own learning. Research certifications or courses you can take, as well as?other kinds of resources like blogs, webinars and conferences. This will impress your boss as it shows initiative.

Angle your negotiation around the benefits for the business?

A promotion will boost your career, but it needs to be worthwhile for the business too, as it will likely cost them more money. In other words, they need to be told upfront what is in it for them, so back up your explanation with data and evidence for an extra convincing pitch.??

Keep your eye out for our next article, where we’ll discuss how you can ask for a promotion over email.