5 Reasons You’re Not Getting Ahead At Work

The sad reality is most people don’t know why they are getting ahead at work or not getting that promotion they feel they deserve. Here are five most common but little known reasons why you’re still in the same position as five years ago.

1. You lack the skill necessary for the job

Only because you’ve been with the same company doesn’t guarantee a promotion, if you don’t work to increase your skill don’t be surprised if a new person comes in and gets the job you thought was going to be given to you.

2. You don’t show confidence that you can do the next level job

Are you confident you can do the job at the next level and do it well? Most people might have the skill but still feel unworthy of the responsibilities and the higher rewards that come with it. Your confidence and sense of self-worth must show through your actions and your words at work.

3. You have no sense of urgency

High achieving employees have a high sense of urgency. The best way to build a case for your promotion is to show how efficient and effective you are in your role. As you master a task, it stands to reason that you should be able to do it faster and better than when you started or than less experienced peers.

4. You get defensive when you get constructive feedback.

The natural reaction to constructive criticism is defense, defending your work and yourself. And it’s a certain career advancement killer. It doesn’t matter if your boss dismisses your entire presentation, remember to separate yourself from your work and take criticism with a gratitude and with curiosity.

5. You think like an employee not a manager

If you’re giving them the impression you’re only showing up for a paycheck, it’s not likely that you’ll be high on their list of candidates. No, you don’t have to become a workaholic or start hanging out long past five or six just to “be seen”, but it’s a good idea to express interest in the things that happen when the meter isn’t running.