How to ask for a promotion

Updated November 9, 2026

Name the exact role you want, show you already do parts of it, and ask what stands between you and it. A promotion is a bet your manager makes in front of their own boss, so give them the evidence and a plan they can defend. Leave the meeting with a list of gaps and a date.

What to do

1. Pick the target role. Find the job description or level guide for the next step, or ask HR for it. Know its title and what it is expected to deliver.
2. Map yourself against it. For each expectation of the role, write one example where you already did it. Gaps are fine; you will ask about them.
3. Talk to your manager first. Book a one-on-one about "my next step here". Don't go to their boss or HR before your manager knows.
4. Ask, don't hint. Say the role by name and ask directly whether they see you there. Then ask what is missing, and how and when it will be judged.
5. Get a plan in writing. Send a short recap: the role, the two or three gaps, what you'll do about each, and the review date. Bring it to every one-on-one after that.

What to say

Use this in your one-on-one:

I want to talk about my next step. I'd like to move into the team lead role. Over the last six months I've run our weekly planning, mentored Jordan, and owned the client escalations. Do you see me in that role? If not yet, what's missing, and can we agree on a plan and a date to review it?

Avoid

• Don't ask for "more responsibility" in general; ask for a named role.
• Don't argue that you deserve it because of years served; tenure alone rarely convinces anyone.
• Don't leave without a next date, or the topic quietly disappears.

Questions