Passed over for a promotion? Check out these tips for bouncing back in the best way

Being passed over for a promotion is never easy. You put a lot into preparing for the interview process and have probably already started envisioning yourself in the new role. On top of the disappointment, you may even find yourself no longer enjoying your work and may even feel unmotivated. Finding your way again is challenging, but not impossible. 

In this blog, we will take a look at some of the things you can do to move past being passed over for a promotion. Here are some of the things we will cover.

• What to do if you are passed over for a promotion

• Should you leave if you are passed over for a promotion?

• How to handle promotion discrimination

• Tips for getting over the disappointment of not getting a promotion

What to do if you are passed over for a promotion

Moving forward with your career after you have been passed over for a promotion may be the last thing you want to do at the moment. However, it’s important to take steps quickly to recover following the disappointing news. Here are some of the things you can do to move forward after you aren’t selected for a promotion.

• Take a minute. It’s only natural to feel disappointed that you didn’t get the job. Take some time to allow yourself to work through those feelings. Also, take things slow at work, and don’t make any rash decisions when you are still going through those feelings. You may want to quit your job right away, but it is best to wait until you are in a place to make those types of decisions rationally.

• Ask for feedback. After you have worked through the sore feelings and disappointment, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from the hiring manager. Understanding why someone was chosen for the promotion instead of you is a great way to develop skills that will help you the next time a promotion opportunity comes your way.

• Take steps to grow. Once you understand why you weren’t chosen for a promotion, you can then take steps to build your skills and knowledge. Ask your supervisor for training opportunities and one-on-one education in the areas where you lack knowledge so that you can shine the next time you want to apply for a promotion.

• Stay positive. Keep your attitude and demeanor positive as you work through not being selected for a promotion. Be a good employee and co-worker to others in the office. Taking these steps can help make the office environment more comfortable for you and everyone you work with and for.

Reasons you may have been passed over for a promotion

People are passed over for promotions for many reasons. If you are trying to get to the root of the reason why you were passed over, here are some of the top reasons you may not have been selected.

• Some employees who lack the skills to properly communicate with their co-workers and superiors are passed up for promotions.

• If you struggle to handle changes well, this may also be a reason why you weren’t selected.

• Having unclear goals and plans is also a reason why an employer may pass someone up for a promotion.

• Not having the right hard skill set is another big reason for being denied a promotion.

• If you present yourself as more of a follower than a leader, you may discover it is difficult to receive a promotion.

• When you have past performance reviews that show areas where you can improve, or if there are complaints from your supervisors, your chances of receiving a promotion diminish.

Should you leave if you are passed over for a promotion?

After being passed over for a promotion, it’s only natural to want to leave your current place of employment for another. There are reasons this might be a good idea. For example, if you have been passed up for multiple promotions, you receive a job offer elsewhere for a similar position, or if you suspect discrimination, you may find it in your best interest to find a new job.

Regardless of your decision, there are some mistakes you will want to avoid when deciding whether or not to leave your current job. Consider the dos and don’ts before leaving.

The most important thing to remember when you are deciding whether or not to stay with your current employer after you are passed up for a promotion is to look out for your best interests. Before you applied for the promotion, you likely had goals and aspirations for the future. If quitting your job will hinder you from achieving those dreams, you should rethink your decision to leave.

How to handle promotion discrimination

Certain classes of people are protected when it comes to becoming employed or receiving a promotion. For example, employers cannot avoid hiring or promoting someone based on their age, race, religion, medical conditions, gender, and marital status.

If you feel that you have been passed up for a promotion due to belonging to a protected class and have evidence to back up your claims, there are some things you can do. Here are the steps you will need to take.

• Document everything. Keep records of everything and keep all your evidence organized and factual.  

• File a claim. To begin an official complaint, start by reaching out to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to learn what steps you need to take to file a claim against your employer.

• Seek legal counsel. You will also need to consult with an attorney to ensure you have all the evidence you need to proceed with a case.

Tips for getting over the disappointment of not getting a promotion

Regardless of what decision you make for your immediate future, eventually, you will need to move past the disappointment of not getting selected for a promotion. It won’t be easy, but these are some tricks you can try to get over that disappointment.

• Take some time to regroup and re-prioritize your goals and career aspects. Consider adjusting those goals for the future.

• Offer support to the person who did receive the promotion. Not only does this allow you to stay in the good graces of your employer, but you also can still learn some of the skills you would have gained in the new role.

• Take a more leadership role in the projects you are part of and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to try something new. This helps you gain new skills and can make your managers see what an asset you are.

• Keep trying for other positions and promotions as they become available. 

If you are looking for even more guidance on how to build the best career path for your future goals, be sure to check out our Career Path service on our website.

Key takeaways

1. When you are not selected for a promotion, the first step is to reflect and then ask for feedback as to why you were not selected.

2. Avoid making rash decisions after you are not selected for a position, such as quitting your job on the spot. Instead, give yourself some time to move past the disappointment.

3. If you feel you were passed over due to discrimination, document everything, file a complaint with the EEOC, and contact an attorney.

4. Ultimately, moving on after not being selected for a promotion requires self-reflection, determination, and an attitude of wanting to grow into future promotions and positions.