How I Got Promoted this year

[Disclaimer: a very long post] – I’m still early in my career, and this post is simply to share my experience, so will post anonymously. I hope it’s helpful for those who are also navigating the corporate world like me. I’m still learning how to play the game, so if you have any feedback, I’d love to hear it—feel free to comment!

So far, I’ve been promoted twice in my career. My first promotion came as a surprise—my boss promoted me after a year (but at the time I was very naive). After that, I spent the next two years learning, planning, and understanding the dynamics of the corporate world to secure my second promotion this year.

Getting Promoted Isn’t Just About Working Hard

Promotion isn’t just about grinding away at your job and hoping someone notices. It’s about being intentional, strategic, and making sure the right people see the value you bring. Here’s how I made it happen:

Step 1: Figuring Out the Process

 Know the Rules – The first thing I did was understand my company’s promotion cycle and criteria. If you don’t know how the system works, you can’t play it to your advantage. Read through the procedures carefully. In case you couldn’t find a formal document in your company, make it a point to ask your mentor or colleagues.

 Understand the Next Level – I looked into what the role above mine required, pinpointed what I was already doing well, and identified the skills I needed to develop.

 Talk to the Right People – I had real conversations with my manager about what it would take to move up. You can’t assume they know you want a promotion—you have to say it out loud.

Step 2: Leveling Up & Standing Out

 Find Your Superpower – My team was finance-heavy, and I was the only person doing analytics. I leaned into this as my unique strength, but I also knew that to move up, I needed to strengthen my finance skills to handle senior-level responsibilities. So, I actively worked on improving my finance knowledge and getting hands-on experience.

 Make an Impact Beyond Your Job Description – I proposed automations, streamlined processes, and brought in insights from other teams to improve our workflow. If you make yourself indispensable, you become an obvious choice for promotion.

 Take Ownership & Show Initiative – If I saw a gap, I took charge. I proposed solutions, led new projects, and made sure leadership saw me as someone who takes action rather than just follows instructions. Making leadership’s life easier is one of the fastest ways to get noticed.

 Keep Track of Your Wins – I never assumed people would remember what I contributed. I kept a running list of my achievements and milestones so I could bring them up when needed.

 Expand Beyond Your Job Role – I joined my department’s engagement committee and volunteered for various company events—not just for visibility, but also because I enjoy being involved. This experience not only set me apart from peers who focused solely on their tasks but also provided valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues from different departments.

 Develop Executive Presence – I worked on my communication skills and confidence, ensuring I could articulate my ideas clearly in meetings. In my first year, I was shy and often asked colleagues to present my work. Now, I push myself to own my contributions and present my work, with strong support from my manager.

 Ask for Feedback & Show Eagerness to Learn – I actively sought feedback, showing my willingness to improve.

 Network & Expand Visibility – I had coffee chats with leaders in the products I worked with, asked insightful questions, shared with them my thoughts and explored potential opportunities. I received 2 verbal offers from other teams this year, which further validated my contributions to my manager.

Step 3: Building Support System

 Your Boss Isn’t the Only Decision-Maker – Your manager may recommend you, but other leaders weigh in, too. I built relationships across teams so key decision-makers knew my work.

 Find a Mentor or Sponsor – I had mentors to guide me and a sponsor to advocate for me in promotion discussions. I only learned about the term “sponsor” last year—these are senior leaders who push your name forward in decision-making meetings. My sponsor wasn’t my direct manager but was well-connected with department heads, which was incredibly valuable.

 Be Someone People Want to Support – I collaborated across teams, helped teammates, and made sure my name came up in positive ways.

 Make Sure the Right People See Your Work – I visited my skip Boss office sometimes (not same one with me), scheduled 1:1 meetings with them or sometimes just say “Hi”, and once in October, I catch chance to schedule a conversation with my department head (executive who make decision for my promotion) when he visited town. I first only able to booked 15 minutes, but we ended up talking for almost an hour—proof that you never know what opportunities can come until you take the first step, and I learned a lot from them Note: Always let your direct manager know when you’re engaging with higher-ups. You don’t want them to feel blindsided.

Step 4: Timing It Right & Locking It In

 Be Strategic About Timing – Promotions aren’t random. I knew when leadership would make decisions and maximized my visibility in the months leading up to it.

 Ask for It the Smart Way – When November rolled around (right before manager promotions were submitted in December), I scheduled a meeting with my manager. I didn’t just say, “I want a promotion.” I laid out my case—backed by results and contributions—so it was clear why I deserved it.

Navigating Early Career Tips:

 Learn the Business – Don’t just focus on your role. Understand how your company makes money and what drives success.

 Be Curious & Ask Questions – If you don’t know something, ask. Don’t be afraid to reach out, whether it’s your manager, a senior colleague, or even someone from another team. Also, take the initiative to read old materials, past reports, and documentation—chances are, the answers you’re looking for already exist. No one expects you to know everything, but they do expect you to be proactive in learning.

 Your Reputation is Your Currency – How you treat people, how reliable you are, and how you contribute all build your personal brand.

 Feedback is a Gift—Take It Seriously – Seek feedback actively and use it to improve.

 Be Adaptable – Things change quickly in any industry. The more flexible and open-minded you are, the easier it is to navigate your career.

 Documentation is Your Friend – I used to be lazy to write things down, but lately realized that having well-documented notes, processes, and learnings can make a huge difference.

 Know When to Push & When to Observe – Not every situation requires you to speak up. Sometimes, it’s better to listen, learn, and observe first, especially in a room full of senior people. But when the opportunity comes, don’t hesitate to contribute.

 Know Who to Go to for What – Every workplace has unofficial networks. Some people are gatekeepers of information, while others are key decision-makers. Learn who can help you get things done and who you should be building relationships with.

 If You’re Lost, Start with the Basics – When given a new task, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Instead of overthinking, start by breaking it down: What’s the goal? Who’s involved? What resources are available? Has something similar been done before?

 Master the Art of Self-Learning –Be resourceful—Google things, take online courses, and learn through trial and error. The more independent you become, the more valuable you’ll be.

 Take Risks Early – Early in your career is the best time to explore, try new things, and build a diverse skill set.

 Know the Boundary Between Work and Personal Life – Don’t take things too personally. Sometimes, people can be dismissive or even rude—it’s part of the corporate environment. Not everyone will be kind or supportive, but that doesn’t mean you should let it affect your confidence.

People tell me “No One is Too Busy to Help—If You Ask the Right Way”, most times it’s right – But sometimes, it doesn’t, and that’s just the reality. In my first year, I struggled with reaching out to people who never responded. It’s normal. I learned not to take it personally and instead focused on making myself more visible. Over time, people became familiar with who I was, what I worked on, and their attitude toward me naturally shifted. Not everyone in the corporate world will be friendly, and some may even be dismissive or difficult—they’re colleagues, not friends. Don’t let that discourage you. Stay professional, focus on delivering results, and let your work speak for itself.

Always Keep Options Open:

My last lesson learnt is to always actively test the job market. My tip is to active recruiting twice a year—once around April/May and once in November/December—before mid-year and year-end reviews. This helps me gauge my market value, refine my interview skills, and stay prepared for any unexpected changes.

You never know what might happen—economies shift, industries evolve, and no job is ever 100% secure. Having a backup plan and staying interview-ready is crucial.

Last year, I received three offers (external and internal) with a 25% higher salary. Many people advised me to leave or switch, saying my company would never promote me if I stayed or that I should take the better-paying opportunity. It was the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my career so far, but after carefully weighing multiple factors, I chose to stay and be patient because I saw strong opportunities for leadership growth within my team.

I used these offers as leverage, negotiated a 15% counteroffer (not as high as new offer but meet my expectation), and stayed—proving that if you understand how to navigate the system, you can still advance internally, and yes, I made it this year to promote and raise again.

Final Thoughts

Getting promoted isn’t just about doing your job well—it’s about making sure the right people recognize that you’re ready for more.

Many juniors—including myself in the past—tend to be hesitant about going above and beyond, speaking up, or taking ownership. However, to reach the next level, stepping out of your comfort zone is essential. You need to advocate for yourself, take initiative, and actively demonstrate your value. Seize the right opportunities, and don’t be afraid to own your achievements.

No one’s going to do it for you—so step up and make it happen!