How to Navigate a Job Promotion

Have you ever been offered a promotion to a new job? Or fancied being promoted to achieve a career goal and/or secure a better income? Well, being offered a promotion is often seen as the holy grail of career success. The validation of your hard work feels great, and the allure of more money, prestige and respect can be appealing. But when the moment comes to decide whether or not you want to accept, or ask for, a promotion, you may also feel inner resistance. And it’s important to address that resistance, because a promotion can often lead to more stress, anxiety and potential burnout. You also want to make sure you're getting what you want and need out of a promotion - whether that be the right title, the right amount of money, the right responsibilities, etc.

For many people, a promotion at work is the logical and anticipated reward for years of commitment, quality work and hard-earned experience. Whether you decide to accept or decline a promotion is an individual decision that you should take time to consider. You'll want to think about professional goals as well as personal ones such as work-life balance.

Should I Accept a Job Promotion?

Let’s say you were offered a job promotion by your boss. Congrats! But you might want to think through that decision before accepting immediately. When we have an opportunity for a job promotion, either within our current organization or another one, it seems obvious to take it. After all, people treat promotions as positive opportunities, and the increased status and pay reinforce that perception.

 However, the assumptions about the promotion can blind us to an honest evaluation of whether we will be as happy as we are now should we take on the added responsibilities and the shift in job functions. Increased income seems like a persuasive factor, yet human nature is such that we quickly grow accustomed to the change. Plus, having enough money to pay for what we need is indeed related to a less stressful life, yet increases beyond that level do not result in greater happiness.

To better decide whether you will accept a promotion or not, it can be helpful to make a list of all the pros and cons of the position being offered in terms of work and personal life. Include the obvious things such as salary and benefits, management potential, and increased responsibility, along with intangibles such as the promotion's effect on your time with your family, whether it provides opportunities for growth and a realistic appraisal of the company and its future.

Things to Consider for Not Accepting a Promotion

There are times when a promotion might not be ideal for you - if you have hesitation to accept a promotion, consider the following reasons for declining the offer:

• Not yet the right time - Promotions are great in theory, but quite often the extra responsibility comes with more time in the office. And since additional hours can result in less work/life balance, this should always be a factor when deciding if taking a promotion is a good step for your career.
• You don’t think you are ready - you may not think that you are ready for a promotion and would prefer to strengthen some key skill areas before taking on new challenges and responsibilities. This is a valid reason to turn down a promotion. However, it’s worth considering if it’s just self-doubt. Often, a lack of confidence and belief in yourself can lead to you falsely thinking you aren't ready for the next step.
• The additional pay is not worth the extra responsibility – A job promotion is one way to step up the money ladder. Promotions may be well sought after, but the reality is that sometimes the extra responsibility isn't worth the compensation offered in return. This can be a difficult subject to approach with your employer, and it requires some tact. If you think that the additional responsibility mismatches the money, well it's not bad to turn down the offer but always think twice. You'll also want to do some research - is the new pay in line with what coworkers are making in this role? Is it consistent with the market ranges for this job in your area? O*NET can be a good tool for market research.
• You’re a short timer - There are seasons to every job, and eventually you may find that your future lies outside your current company. Maybe you’re ready to change fields entirely or pivot your career. Companies invest time and resources into the newly promoted, and if you know you’re not in it for the long haul, it’s better to just say no. You’ll help preserve your reputation by not leaving your current company in a lurch, and keep yourself committed to what’s next.

You should never feel that you have to take a promotion simply because it’s offered. It’s not impolite or inconsiderate to say no if the job doesn’t fit into your career plans. However, it’s wise to be prepared for your boss to be disappointed. Be sure to express your thanks for their consideration when you decline as well a good rationale that doesn’t paint you in a bad light. If you want to get some talking points on how to approach this conversation, you can try using ChatGPT. 

Final Thoughts

Turning down a promotion can be difficult and involve conversations with bosses that require a lot of tact. If your boss doesn't understand your reasoning for turning down the promotion, or if you're less than diplomatic when you do so, the boss may resent the rejection. Your boss may have fought hard to be able to offer you a new position or put their professional reputation on the line to prove to upper management that you deserve the promotion. 

On the other hand, if things go all well and you accept a job promotion, congratulations you deserve it! But don’t forget, it would be polite to send a thank you note to those involved with your promotion. You can send thanks to your employer, manager, mentor or anyone else who supported your promotion, approved it or helped you receive it. It acknowledges their support and thanks them for the role they played in your professional development.