How to overcome being passed over for promotion

  Posted on 16/10/2019

Not being promoted can be very disappointing, especially when a close work colleague gets the promotion you wanted. So how do you overcome the thought of failure and rejection?

Firstly, it’s vitally important that you don’t let the situation alter your working relationship; you do, after all, still have to work with your colleague.

You need to give yourself the opportunity to come to terms with your feelings and emotions. Perhaps speak with a trusted confidante about how you feel. Talking to someone about your feelings can help you come to terms with the thought of rejection.

Once you have come to terms with your initial feelings, try and schedule a one to one with your manager or HR contact, and seek further feedback as to why you didn’t get the promotion you wanted. Right down the comments so you can refer to them at a later date. Do not take any comments personally – think of the feedback as something that can help you get the career you really want; class the comments – however critical they may be – as “constructive criticism.”

Based on this feedback you will be able to plan your career, and what you need to improve upon to help you in the future.

Speak to your colleague that gained the promotion as you normally would have prior to their promotion; just because they have been promoted, they are still the same person.

Never react in an emotional way – keep calm and carry on.

Whilst you're here, why not register your CV, and be alerted to the latest job opportunities.

You can also download our app, and be alerted when you're on the go.

If you're a client and you need some help with recruiting staff, send us your recruitment brief.