If you’ve ever gotten passed over for a promotion that you were hoping to get, you know how disappointing it is. It often causes people to feel angry and unappreciated. Some might even believe that the best thing to do is immediately resign and find a new job.

But if this happens to you, don’t be too hasty! Although quitting might feel satisfying in the heat of the moment, it may not be the most beneficial thing for you to do.

So what should (and shouldn’t) you do? Here’s a short list:

Don’t

  • Yell or express your anger.
  • Immediately resign.
  • Demand that your boss tell you why you didn’t get the position.
  • Be afraid to ever apply for a promotion again.

Do

  • Consider what you really want out of your career. Was that new position really a good fit for you?
  • Ask your boss what kind of skills or qualities are required of people who work in the type of position you’d like to have.
  • Learn new skills and enhance your existing ones.
  • Make sure your boss knows about the good work you do.

Even though it’s upsetting not to get a promotion that you wanted, experts suggest that it’s often beneficial to remain in your current job and try to enhance your skills. Talk to your managers, and find out what type of candidate they were looking for. Then work to develop those qualities. If you can get the training and mentoring necessary to increase your knowledge and abilities, you’ll be better prepared to take on a challenging position in the future.

 

Lublin, J. S. (2016, April 19). Passed over for a promotion? Your next steps. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.wsj.com/articles/passed-over-for-a-promotion-your-next-steps-1461087593