CHAPTER 27

How to Ask for a Promotion

by Rebecca Knight

Asking for a promotion can be nerve-racking. But when you think you’re ready for the next step, it’s important to say so. How do you prepare for that conversation with your boss? What information should you have at the ready? And how exactly do you make your case?

What the Experts Say

“Asking for a promotion makes you feel vulnerable,” says Sabina Nawaz, a CEO coach, leadership keynote speaker, and writer. “You’re not in control; you’re putting yourself in the hands of your manager to be judged—and you might be judged not worthy.” You may fret that you’ll be “bugging your boss” or come across as greedy and “self-serving.” But, to advance in your career, you’ll need to learn to advocate for ...

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