Early in my career, I made the mistake of staying quiet, thinking my hard work would be noticed. But I learned that you need to actually communicate your value. Start by listing your key achievements—did you lead a project, bring in new clients, or make processes better? Come to the review ready with examples that show how you've made an impact. Then, make sure you talk about your future goals. Be clear about what you want and how you see yourself growing in a higher role. Also, think about succession planning—who could take over your current role if you move up? It shows that you're not just focused on yourself but on the team’s success too. Promotions are about proving you’re ready for the next challenge.

Know your company’s promotion cycle. Many times managers have to put promotions in WAY ahead of when you receive a performance review. Often if performance reviews are in March, managers are taking about talent in October / November. Advocate for a promotion when it is top of mind for your manager and when he/she/they can do something about it. Timing really is key to promotion discussions.

While advocating for a promotion during the performance review is important, the process ideally starts well in advance. Preparing early allows you to build a consistent track record of high-impact achievements and establish clear, measurable outcomes. It’s important to understand what is needed for the promotion from your manager and advance and focus on learning and contributing in advance of any promotion, making the promotion a natural progression rather than a new request It’s also important to ensure that you have established supportive relationships outside of your manager that can attest to your performance and readiness for the next role

Advocating for a promotion during your annual performance review requires preparation, confidence, and strategic communication. In my experience, the key is building a strong case backed by concrete results and aligning it with the company’s goals. Start by gathering evidence of your achievements over the past year—quantifiable metrics, successful projects, or key contributions that have positively impacted the team or business. Numbers speak louder than words, so be specific when highlighting how you’ve added value.

Additionally, seek out opportunities to show leadership, even before stepping into a formal leadership role. Taking initiative, mentoring peers, or driving key projects can all serve as tangible evidence that you're ready to take on more responsibility.