A survey by JobSage discovered that 63% of employees want to get promoted. If you’re part of that percentage, you want to be able to read the signs if you’re in line for a promotion.
I mean, you don’t want to get a promotion unexpectedly. You want to be ready for it. This is why I’m going to give you 10 signs your boss wants to promote you. I’ll also go over what you should do when you spot these signs.
Hold up! Before anything else, you need to make sure that you’re already a top performer. You go above and beyond your tasks and responsibilities. You’re a great team player and problem solver. You have lots of accomplishments. Only then can you expect signs you will get a promotion soon.
Read More: Why Should I Promote You? Here Are The Top 10 Answers
10 Signs Your Boss Wants to Promote You
Here are the 10 signs your boss wants to promote you:
- They give you positive performance reviews
- They praise your work
- They give you more constructive feedback
- They pay more attention to you
- They give you more tasks
- They put you in leadership opportunities
- They offer you training and development
- They invite you to management meetings
- They have one-on-one meetings with you
- They ask questions about your long-term professional goals
1. They give you positive performance reviews
Let’s say the company gives performance reviews every 6-12 months. Each time, the manager has nothing but positive things to say when they review your performance. This will tell you that your great work is being recognized.
Here’s what Adrienne Berry, the woman behind ModernMonclaire.com, says:
If you consistently receive glowing feedback during performance evaluations, it’s a clear indication that your boss is impressed by your work and sees you as a candidate for career advancement.
What you should do. Continue doing an excellent job. Don’t let it get to your head that your name is already up there with senior management. You need to earn your way up now more than ever.
Read More: How to Decline a Promotion Due to Salary the Right Way (With Samples)
2. They praise your work
Here’s another similar sign you’re about to get a promotion at work. Yes, during performance reviews, it makes sense to mention your excellent work. But what if your boss praises you every time they bump into you at the workplace?
This makes it even more likely that you’re about to be tapped on the shoulder and given a promotion offer. I mean, the fact that your boss knows exactly what work you’ve done on a random Tuesday is telling that you’re under their radar.
What you should do. Always be grateful. If you’re given praise, don’t forget to say your thank yous. You can also be a team player and tell the boss that it isn’t just you. Your team members helped the project succeed. A productive worker AND a team player. Your boss will be almost SURE that you’re the right one to promote.
3. They give you more constructive feedback
OK, you might get a bit worried if you’re given a lot of constructive feedback. Are you not doing good enough? No, no. It could mean that your boss is just preparing you for a higher position.
How do I know this? One survey showed that a whopping 96% of employees say that getting regular feedback is a good thing. If you’re about to get promoted, your boss will want to prepare you as much as possible (hence, the regular constructive feedback).
What you should do. Listen attentively. Put your learnings into action. If they ask you to do something a certain way, make sure to implement it into your next project. If you want to be ready for higher-level positions, you need to learn from their feedback as much as possible.
4. They pay more attention to you
Remember, your boss is a busy person. The fact that they start praising you, give constructive feedback, and the likes mean something BIG.
Dave Lane, the CEO of Inventiv, puts it this way:
If you’re next in line for a promotion, you may notice them devoting more time to conversations with you—inviting you to meetings, asking to bounce ideas off of you, or individually coaching you to improve your leadership skills.
What you should do. Gather as much as you can from what your boss offers. If they give you feedback, learn from it. If you’re invited to meetings, listen and learn. If asked for ideas, use your critical thinking skills to come up with solid and new ideas.
5. They give you more tasks
If your boss hands you more tasks, these are sure signs you are being groomed for promotion. They’re seeing how you can handle the extra workload. Not just that, they’re preparing you, too.
This way, when you do get promoted, you won’t suddenly have to learn how to manage. You’ll be ready for it. Your boss wants to make the transition as easy and smooth as possible for you and themselves.
What you should do. DON’T overdo it so that you become burned out. This is a very common mistake. Instead, take it in strides. Know how to prioritize tasks and manage your time. Take breaks. Give yourself time for self-care. It might sound counterproductive, but it will help you go about these extra tasks with a better mindset.
Read More: Boss Keeps Delaying Promotion: How To Professionally Handle This?
6. They put you in leadership opportunities
Not only does your boss give you extra tasks, but they also assign you leadership tasks. Maybe you were chosen to manage a project or lead a team. Maybe they appointed you as a supervisor for a few days. Since a promotion most likely means a higher level job title, this is a sign that the senior leaders are working to improve your leadership skills.
What you should do. Embrace the challenge. Do what you can to demonstrate your ability to lead effectively. Work on your decision-making and conflict-resolution skills. Be positive but assertive. Learn how to be a great leader.
7. They offer you training and development
When your boss invests in your training and development, that is one of the surefire signs your boss wants to promote you. You’ll be offered training sessions, professional development courses, and a chance to join industry conferences. They want to provide you with the extra knowledge to grow with the company.
What you should do. Show your boss that you’re determined to learn as much as you can. During these training and development programs, take everything to heart. This way, you’re ready to move and contribute to higher-level roles. Enhance your talent as much as you can now.
8. They invite you to management meetings
Nothing screams “promotions” more than when you’re invited to sit in at management meetings. Here’s what Dave Lane says:
In most organizations, it’s not just your direct boss who will be involved in promotion decisions; in many organizations, promotions require buy-in from senior management. That means that your boss will look for opportunities to let you shine in front of the key decision-makers.
What you should do. Shine in front of the key decision-makers. For this, you can do your research and come up with ideas before the meeting. You should share your input instead of just listening. This will convey that you’re someone who’s into it. Show that you’re great at communicating, too.
9. They have one-on-one meetings with you
Besides management meetings, your boss may also have one-on-one meetings with you. For many, this is their way to get to know and understand more about you. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a formal meeting. Sometimes, these quick catch-ups are just for building trust and open communication.
What you should do. Don’t let them do all the talking. Ask questions, look for feedback, give your ideas, and share your insights. You need to participate in these meetings to build rapport.
Read More: When Slackers Get Promoted Over You: Here’s How To Win The Game
10. They ask questions about your long-term professional goals
If your boss constantly asks you about your long-term professional goals, you may be in for a promotion soon. But before they promote you, they need to make sure that you’re planning to stay with the company for a long time still. They may ask these types of questions casually or during a meeting.
What you should do. Come up with a long-term professional goal and be honest. Let’s say you’re not planning on staying. Is that really the best move? If you think so, then tell your boss. Don’t pretend even if you think there’s a promotion on the line. But if your goal is to stay and grow with the company, then that’s great news for you, them, and the company.
Final Words
Are you a top performer at work? Are you wondering if you’ll soon get that awaited promotion? If you spot any of the 10 signs your boss wants to promote you, then it might come sooner rather than later. To be sure, you need to follow the ‘what you should do’ tips to prepare for this next step.
No Comments