Many of King Lear’s monologues make excellent speeches to recite in the mirror after being rejected for a promotion, which is a little-known fact about the play. One well-known scene features Edmund, a child born out of wedlock, lamenting the unfairness of his treatment in comparison to his legal half-brother:
When internal applicants are rejected for a promotion, it’s not uncommon for an emotional reaction fit for Shakespeare. According to Kathryn Dlugos, an assistant professor of human resource management at Pennsylvania State University, “there’s a feeling that the psychological contract has been broken.” The rejected applicant is probably wondering, “If I’m not moving up with my current employer, why not? They owed me more money,” or something similar. ”.
Such feelings of betrayal may dissipate over time. However, what follows is bad news for employers: Rejected internal applicants frequently decide to leave their jobs. Dlugos asserts that there is a very high likelihood that they will depart. “And it can be very expensive to train and develop replacements for those workers as well as to replace them.” ”.
Why might employees be rejected for an internal promotion?
It’s important to keep in mind that getting rejected for an internal position can occur for a variety of reasons when applying for an internal promotion and someone else receives the position. Not getting another job at your company doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have room for advancement in your current position. Simply put, it indicates that company executives do not believe that the timing and specific location are the best choices for you. Here are a few typical justifications given by managers for not picking candidates for internal promotions:
How to stay motivated after getting rejected for an internal promotion
Use these steps to keep your motivation and happiness at work despite any disappointment when you learn that your employer chose someone else for an internal promotion:
1. Express your frustration outside of work
Give yourself time to process your feelings about not getting the promotion before you concentrate on being motivated in your job. Rejecting an internal promotion can be upsetting because you want your employer to value your abilities and recognize your contributions. A time outside of working hours should be found to express your anger, confusion, and other emotions. Writing your thoughts down in a journal or sharing your experience with a trusted friend are both effective methods for managing your emotions.
2. Write a thank-you note
Gaining perspective on the choice and beginning to move past the rejection can be accomplished by sending a thank-you note to the hiring manager for the promotion. Sending a note demonstrates humility, grace, and a commitment to the company because hiring managers are aware of how difficult it is to be passed over for a promotion. It shows that you care more about relationships within the company and the development of your career as a whole than one specific opportunity.
Include your gratitude for the opportunity and what you learned from the application and interview processes in the note. This can assist you in changing your perspective from being dissatisfied to appreciating the chance. It may also inspire you to begin anticipating potential career opportunities.
3. Seek feedback about your application
Clear goals and objectives to set for your workday can be provided by learning how to improve your next application. Inquire about any comments about your performance and application from human resources, your manager, or the hiring person. When new opportunities for promotion arise, ask for feedback on what you’re doing well and how you can improve to take advantage of them.
4. Inquire about other opportunities
Describe to the leadership team your desire to advance within the organization even though this opportunity isn’t the best fit for your skills. Inform your manager that you want to be considered when leadership positions become available and inquire frequently about other promotions. Putting your growth aspirations forward can make you stand out as a top candidate for upcoming opportunities. During this discussion, you can also plan with your manager how you can improve your chances of employment when applying for other positions by gaining the right professional experience, education, and skills.
5. Reconsider your goals
In order to assess your current goals and make any necessary adjustments, consider why you desired that particular promotion. Consider what the promotion offers that your current position does not, what changes you would like to see, and how the promotion can assist you in achieving your long-term objectives. Knowing why you desired that particular promotion can help you determine other approaches to achieving those goals without occupying that position.
6. Set an ideal timeline
It’s critical to recognize when a company offers additional opportunities for advancement and when it’s time to look for opportunities to advance at other companies. Set a deadline for when you want to advance your position, take on more responsibility, receive a pay increase, or receive a promotion. If your employers aren’t giving you the level of career success you want to have, decide to set personal boundaries and begin looking into other opportunities. A deadline can motivate you to put in extra effort and accept responsibility for your growth during that time.
7. Invest in your skills
Consider taking classes, reading articles, or working on practice projects as ways to hone your skills. Making a weekly schedule of activities can help you stay motivated and give you something to look forward to during the workday. You may feel more proactive about improving your application and making it more competitive the next time you apply for a promotion if you schedule time specifically to work on your skills.
8. Publicize your success
Give yourself praise and celebrate your success regularly. Reminding yourself of your skills and accomplishments is crucial because getting rejected for a promotion can make you question your abilities. Talk to your coworkers about how proud you are of your work whenever you accomplish something at work. Sharing the techniques you employed and talking about how you overcame difficulties can boost your self-assurance and demonstrate to others that you have a growth mindset at work.
How to Handle Promotion Rejection | #culturedrop | Galen Emanuele
FAQ
How do you handle rejection from internal promotion?
- Seek Feedback. It’s uncommon for the reasons you’re not getting a promotion at work to coincide with the ideas you have in your head.
- Enlist Support. …
- Consider All Your Options. …
- 7 Things Star Performers at Work Do Before Noon.
Why rejected internal candidates quit?
Rejected internal job candidates are more likely to leave their jobs; these individuals typically did so for professional reasons. Instead, they believed the rejection meant they wouldn’t be able to advance within the organization in the future.
Why do high performers fail to get promoted?
High performers occasionally don’t advance because they haven’t been with the company for very long. e. , the newness factor. For instance, a person who has only been working for an organization for eight months might not be considered for a promotion.
What do you say when you are rejecting an internal candidate?
- Don’t Do it Over Email. …
- Be Clear About the Reasons Behind Your Decision. …
- Ask About Their Professional Goals. …
- Find Other Opportunities for Them to Grow Within the Company.
- Don’t Forget to Check in.
