The Unspoken Rules of Getting Promoted (That HR Won’t Tell You)

Why Promotions Aren’t About Hard Work—And How to Actually Get One

Most employees believe that if they just work hard enough, follow the rules, and keep their heads down, they’ll eventually get promoted. But if you’ve been in the game long enough, you know that’s not how it works.

Promotions aren’t given based on who deserves it most—they’re given based on who the company wants to promote. And if they wanted to promote you, they already would have.

This post breaks down how promotions actually happen, the hidden rules behind them, and what to do if you realize you’re not on the company’s list of future leaders.

1. "If They Wanted To, They Would"—The Harsh Truth About Internal Promotions

One of the biggest red pills in corporate life is this: if they wanted to promote you, they already would have.

Think about it. You’ve seen it happen before—some guy walks in, barely a year into the company, and suddenly, a new role is created just for him. Or a department “didn’t have a budget” for raises, but somehow, they found money to bring in an external hire at double your salary.

That’s because positions aren’t always about open vacancies—they’re created for the people the company actually values.

So why haven’t they promoted you yet?

If you’ve been at the company for years, delivering great results but still haven’t moved up, ask yourself:

• Are you seen as replaceable? If your role is critical but you yourself aren’t, they’ll keep you where you are.
• Does upper management even know who you are? Promotions are decided by who’s in the room when decisions are made—are you even on their radar?
• Do you have real influence, or are you just the "good worker"? Being competent isn’t enough—you need advocates in high places.

If they haven’t even hinted at your career growth or put you on a path for promotion, they probably don’t see you that way.

So, the real question is: how do you make them want to promote you?

2. The “Official” vs. The “Real” Promotion Criteria

HR will tell you that promotions are based on:

• Performance reviews
• Meeting KPIs
• Experience and tenure

That’s bullshit.

The real criteria for promotion are:

1. Do the right people like you?
2. Are you seen as a key player in the company’s future?
3. Can they imagine you in the next role, or are you just your current job title?

Your ability to move up has less to do with your output and more to do with your visibility and positioning.

3. Promotions Are Made, Not Given—The Secret to Moving Up Faster

Companies create positions for the right people. If you’re one of them, suddenly:

• Budgets appear
• New roles open up
• “Growth opportunities” materialize out of thin air

The key? You have to make them see you as a leader before they officially give you the title.

Here’s How You Do It:

• Start acting like you’re already in the role: If you want to be promoted to a managerial role, start leading now. Take on more responsibility, run meetings, mentor new hires, and make sure higher-ups see you doing it.
• Solve problems that aren’t even on your desk yet. If you can anticipate company pain points and fix them before they escalate, you’re not just an employee—you’re an asset.
• Make higher-ups dependent on you The best way to secure a promotion is to become so valuable that losing you is a liability. When leadership needs you to execute their vision, they’ll do whatever it takes to keep you in place—or move you up.

4. Why Some People Get Promoted Over You (Even If They’re Worse)

Ever seen someone less competent than you get promoted while you stayed in place? Here’s why:

• They had internal advocates. Someone was rooting for them in high places.
• They made it clear they wanted to move up. You can’t just assume people know your career goals—you have to make it obvious.
• They fit the company’s internal narrative. Some people are promoted strategically to maintain a certain image or office politics.

If you’re watching others move up while you stay stuck, you’re playing the wrong game.

5. When to Stop Waiting & Start Looking Elsewhere

If you’ve been stuck for years, doing everything right, and still getting passed over—they don’t see you as leadership material.

Signs your company will never promote you:

• They keep giving you more work but no title change
• Every time you ask, they say, “Maybe next year.”
• They promote external hires over internal talent
• They’ve never put you on a leadership track or hinted at your future

At that point, it’s time to make a move.

• Start networking outside your company
• Apply for external roles that align with your career goals
• Use a competing offer as leverage—but be ready to walk

If they wanted to promote you, they already would have.

Promotions are a game. Play It Right.

Waiting for a promotion based on merit alone is a waste of time. If you want to move up, you have to:

• Make yourself visible. Ensure decision-makers see your leadership potential before the promotion talks start.
• Build allies in high places. The right person rooting for you can change everything.
• Position yourself as the only choice. When a new role opens, you should be the first name that comes up.

Corporate promotions aren’t earned—they’re engineered. Learn the game, and you’ll win faster.

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