Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
Angela Howard – Culture Expert
Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
- Own Your Worth: Learn how to track your achievements, back them up with data, and confidently present your case for a promotion.
- Timing Is Key: Discover the best moments to ask for a promotion and how to prepare for the conversation like a pro.
- Handle Any Outcome: Get actionable advice on what to do if the answer is “not yet” and how to turn feedback into future success.
I’ve asked for eight pay raises in my career.
I got seven.
The one I didn’t get?
That’s the one that taught me the most.
I realized then that asking for a promotion isn’t just about confidence or timing—it’s about knowing your worth, backing it up, and owning the conversation.
If you’re sitting on the sidelines of your career, waiting for someone to notice your hard work, I’ll tell you this: no one will advocate for you the way you can advocate for yourself.
Promotions don’t land in your lap; you have to ask for them. But for most professionals, the thought of asking feels impossible — whether it’s fear of rejection, shyness, or simply not knowing where to start.
So let me walk you through this.
If you’re ready to take that step, here’s exactly how to ask for the promotion you deserve in 2025.
Oh – and if you want more articles like this one with actionable career advice, don’t forget to subscribe.
1. Own Your Success: Document it. Speak it. Believe it.
Here’s a hard truth: your manager doesn’t see everything you do. I learned this early in my career. I once assumed my results spoke for themselves — until I realized no one was listening.
You need to track your wins. Keep a list of projects, achievements, and moments when you delivered above expectations. Did you hit 120% of your target? Save the company time or money? Lead an initiative that no one else would take on? Write it down.
When the time comes to ask, don’t just say, “I think I deserve a promotion.” Show them:
- What you’ve done (with numbers, outcomes, and impact).
- How it helped the team or company.
Concrete examples turn “I want” into “I’ve earned.”
2. Know Your Value — and Then Some
Once, before asking for a raise, I spent a week researching market salaries for similar roles. When I walked into that meeting, I didn’t feel nervous because I wasn’t guessing — I was prepared.
In 2025, information is everywhere. Use tools like LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor, and Payscale to know your worth. If the market says you’re underpaid or undervalued, that’s leverage. But don’t stop there — bring your unique value to the table.
Ask yourself:
- What skills make me indispensable?
- How do I stand out compared to my peers?
- How would the company benefit if I stepped into a higher role?
3. Act Like You Already Have the Job You Want
You don’t get promoted for doing the job you have. You get promoted for doing parts of the job you want.
For me, this has always been the cheat code. Whenever I’ve eyed a promotion, I start looking for ways to go beyond my role:
- Volunteer for challenging projects.
- Step into leadership opportunities.
- Solve problems no one else is tackling.
When you take initiative, you’re not just asking for a promotion — you’re proving you’re already ready for it.
4. Pick Your Moment Like a Pro
Timing is everything. You don’t walk into your boss’s office on a bad day, after missing a deadline, or in the middle of chaos. Instead:
- Wait for a performance review period or after a major win.
- Choose a moment when you’ve just delivered exceptional results.
I once timed my request right after leading a critical project to completion. The momentum made my case stronger — my impact was fresh, undeniable, and hard to ignore.
5. Have the Conversation — Like You Mean It
If you’re shy, like I used to be, this part feels impossible. But here’s what I’ve learned:
Confidence isn’t something you wait to feel — it’s something you practice.
When you sit down for this conversation, here’s your framework:
- Start with gratitude: “Thank you for the opportunities and support you’ve given me.”
- Make your case: “Over the past year, I’ve achieved X, Y, and Z.”
- Ask clearly and directly: “I believe I’m ready to take on [specific role] and the responsibilities that come with it.”
And then — pause. Don’t fill the silence. Let your manager process what you’ve said.
6. Prepare for “Not Yet” — and Make It Work for You
The one time I didn’t get the raise, I was devastated. But I stayed in that meeting and asked:
“What would it take for me to earn this promotion next time?”
I walked out with a clear plan, a set of goals, and a timeline.
Six months later, I got that raise.
If the answer is no, don’t see it as rejection — see it as redirection. Use it to gather feedback, set milestones, and prove yourself.
7. If You Don’t Ask, You’ll Never Know
You might think, “I don’t want to come across as greedy,” or “What if they say no?” But here’s what I tell myself every time: the worst they can say is no.
The best?
They’ll say yes — and you’ll take the next step in your career.
Your Career Is Yours to Own
Asking for a promotion isn’t easy. But it’s not impossible, either. I’ve been there. I’ve felt the nerves, the self-doubt, the fear of rejection. But I also know the feeling of walking out of that meeting with a “yes” — and trust me, it’s worth it.
So, as you look to 2025, don’t sit back and wait.
Start building your case now. Document your wins, act like the role is already yours, and ask for what you’ve earned.
Because your career? It’s yours to take control of.
And I’m here to remind you: you’ve got this.
Share this with someone you know will find value in it and don’t forget to subscribe for more tips, tricks and hacks to fuel your career growth.
