Hey there,

In the unfortunate event where you are passed over for a promotion that you were anticipating or logically deserved after putting in hard work, goal setting and focus, you could find yourself wondering how you should react to such a situation in an office setting.

You find yourself wondering what to do next, and if this decision would make any difference. This incident could cause a shift in your career, and leave you with more questions than answers.

There are some things you should do immediately, and others best left to be handled in the weeks following this not-so-fortunate event.

Here are things you should do if you are passed over for promotion:

1.    Keep your cool: The first thing you should definitely not do if you are passed up on a promotion is going to your boss’s office and throw what we term a “corporate tantrum”, this usually feels like a well-deserved fit. Even if the management decision was biased and partial, remember than your rampage would definitely not reverse their decision. Instead, this could limit your future chances. If you have to vent, pick someone outside the company that would hear you out.

2.    Don’t make any big decision: Note that often times when we receive negative information, our decision making abilities are often impaired at this point in time. Therefore, stall any big decisions you would like to make during this period, so you do not make hasty decisions that land in regret.

3.   Do not vent to your co-workers: Do not vent to any of your colleagues about being passed over for a promotion. Someway, these conversations have a way of getting to the boss regardless of how close the co-worker might be. Besides, you might be perceived as a bitter individual, which might tarnish your image on the long run.

After about a week, the following steps can be taken/carried out:

4.   Clarify the message:  Ensure you meet with your boss and get clear information that he/she might have passed across during the period where you were passed over for promotion. This is because during that period, due to how you were feeling, you might have shut out your listening function. You may want to clarify and gather some information.

5.    Move into Problem Solving mode: You need to get to the root of the problem and find out within yourself why you were passed over for this promotion. This means one of the following:

-      Expectations of the promotions changed and you were not informed

-      Lack of effective communication with your superior on what it takes and how well you were performing

-      You made an arbitrary decision

6.     You can’t solve a problem you don’t fully understand: You need to be objective about the problem in order for you to completely assess the problem. You need to make sure that the actions you take would address the underlying problem.

7.    Fix your Attitude: A promotion is not an entitlement in most case scenerios but a reward. The moment you view the situation that way, you create a coping mechanism for the current problem. Don’t over compensate, rather resolve that it is a problem that needs to be fixed.

8.    What if this is Impossible? : If this is not the first time you are being passed over, it might be time for you to think through your future with the company.  If you are being realistic about your performance and capability, if your promotion is long overdue, it is time for you to leave.  You might be a great performer, but you aren’t material for upper levels with this company. You will do better somewhere else. Do not worry.

Make sure you do not let getting passed over for a promotion derail you or/and your career goals. Learn from the situation and take the appropriate actions that would make you a better and more productive individual overall.

Yours Sincerely,

PushCV Content Team.