You have accolades from clients and coworkers filling your inbox. You exceed the goals your manager has set out for you. Your day-to-day duties are way more intense than they were when you were first hired. And yet, when promotion time comes around, you were passed over. What gives?
Turns out, when it comes time to deciding who to promote, little things matter a lot. Behaviors you think are no big deal (leaning back in your desk chair) or ones that are totally explainable (leaving at 6 p.m. on the dot to make it to your favorite barre class) can broadcast the wrong message if you aren't careful. We spoke to hiring managers and got their candid takes on the pet peeves that make them think not promotion material.
ADVERTISEMENT
The point isn't to make you paranoid — of course you can't sit ramrod-straight for hours on end — but it is supposed to make you pay attention. Because how you present yourself at work matters. And since this stuff is totally fixable, changing a few key behaviors could be the big difference between staying where you are and moving up. Ahead, the 13 totally surprising (and easily fixable) reasons your boss may not be as impressed with you as she should be.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
Fair or not, when you're just starting out, your boss often expects you to stay at your desk until the work is done. "I once had an employee tell me she needed to hit happy hour to save money! I recommend staying at least until your boss leaves for the first three months. It shows that you are present, able to lend a hand and jump in to absorb and learn as much as possible," says Jill Jacinto of WORKS.
That's not to say you should always be burning the midnight oil, but be strategic. The best thing to do is mimic your boss. If they're at their desk, you should be, too. And if you do have a commitment — like a workout class you love — that takes you out the door exactly at 6 p.m. one or two nights a week, check in with your boss before you go to make sure everything is done. "It's better to check in than just bounce," notes Jacinto.
That's not to say you should always be burning the midnight oil, but be strategic. The best thing to do is mimic your boss. If they're at their desk, you should be, too. And if you do have a commitment — like a workout class you love — that takes you out the door exactly at 6 p.m. one or two nights a week, check in with your boss before you go to make sure everything is done. "It's better to check in than just bounce," notes Jacinto.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
You may think sending a few mid-day snaps to your story is NBD, but when your boss sees your updated timestamps, they know your mind is elsewhere. Same for updating your Twitter or Facebook feed. Yes, bosses know it happens — they do it, too — but even if you're tweeting interesting or industry-relevant info, unless you're a social media manager for your company, it's a sign that you've got too much time on your hands.
Even if your boss or coworkers don't follow you, it's good practice to pull back from updating your feeds during work hours, especially since the Twitter and Facebook interfaces are unmistakable and easy for anyone walking by your computer to see.
Even if your boss or coworkers don't follow you, it's good practice to pull back from updating your feeds during work hours, especially since the Twitter and Facebook interfaces are unmistakable and easy for anyone walking by your computer to see.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
One of the top complaints managers gave was seeing their reports waste time on the clock. Yes, work can be fun, but it's best to follow your manager's lead. Does she say a quick hi to everyone while she gets her coffee? Then that's what you should do, too.
If you do want to socialize with coworkers, much better to do it outside of office hours — or even by leaving the office for a quick Starbucks run.
"I like that my team feels comfortable with each other, but I don't necessarily need to hear the play-by-play of what they did over the weekend. I also feel like conversations in the breakroom are social by nature, and sometimes a report's social side is less polished than her professional side. When I overhear her swearing about something in the breakroom, it's hard to lose that impression and take her seriously in the conference room," notes Stephanie, a nonprofit CEO.
If you do want to socialize with coworkers, much better to do it outside of office hours — or even by leaving the office for a quick Starbucks run.
"I like that my team feels comfortable with each other, but I don't necessarily need to hear the play-by-play of what they did over the weekend. I also feel like conversations in the breakroom are social by nature, and sometimes a report's social side is less polished than her professional side. When I overhear her swearing about something in the breakroom, it's hard to lose that impression and take her seriously in the conference room," notes Stephanie, a nonprofit CEO.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
You may think you don't want to bother your boss. But when you don't ask questions — especially if an assignment is particularly confusing or fascinating — it can send the message that you're just not that invested in your work.
The key is to be strategic about questions, say experts. Schedule a one-on-one to bring them up, or ask them all via email. And make sure you make it clear that the reason you're asking the questions is because you want to do the project, not because you think the project is "too hard."
"One thing we try to discourage is what we call 'delegating up,'" says Jenni Luke, CEO of mentorship nonprofit Step Up. What that means: Sometimes, entry-level employees can try to pass off responsibility by asking higher-ups to do the work for them. Make sure that's not the case by taking ownership of the project and making it clear you're asking because you want to do the project right.
And one more thing: Make sure the questions you do have are specific — not "how to add numbers in Excel" questions that can easily be answered via Google search or YouTube tutorial.
The key is to be strategic about questions, say experts. Schedule a one-on-one to bring them up, or ask them all via email. And make sure you make it clear that the reason you're asking the questions is because you want to do the project, not because you think the project is "too hard."
"One thing we try to discourage is what we call 'delegating up,'" says Jenni Luke, CEO of mentorship nonprofit Step Up. What that means: Sometimes, entry-level employees can try to pass off responsibility by asking higher-ups to do the work for them. Make sure that's not the case by taking ownership of the project and making it clear you're asking because you want to do the project right.
And one more thing: Make sure the questions you do have are specific — not "how to add numbers in Excel" questions that can easily be answered via Google search or YouTube tutorial.
ADVERTISEMENT
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
iMessage should be less distracting than using your phone to text, right? Wrong. In an open-plan office especially, where it's easy to see exactly what everyone is doing on their laptop, having iMessage open all day makes an employer question your commitment to your job.
"No matter how discreet you may think you're being, upper management sees and knows it's interfering with your work," says Ali Grant, director of Be Social PR. In other words, you're not being as discreet as you think.
"No matter how discreet you may think you're being, upper management sees and knows it's interfering with your work," says Ali Grant, director of Be Social PR. In other words, you're not being as discreet as you think.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
"If your desk is a mess, it's hard to take you seriously," says Carolyn, an art director. "I don't think you need to have a pristine workspace, but I had one report whose desk was filled with leftover lunch containers, half-finished bottles of soda...it was just gross and definitely impacted my impression of him."
Tidying up at the end of each day sends the message that you care about presentation, which matters.
Tidying up at the end of each day sends the message that you care about presentation, which matters.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
Here's a hard truth: Even the most amazing wins can be undone by an ignored expense report, project rundown, or anything else you were expected to do when you were hired. Because even though you're doing way beyond your job description, if your job description hasn't changed, you're still responsible for the early, entry-level stuff you were hired for.
"I had an assistant who had brilliant big-picture ideas, but she would procrastinate on the admin stuff I depended on her to do. When there were layoffs, she was one of the first to be cut," says Kelly, an editor. "She made it clear she wasn't a team player and was only in the job for herself."
"I had an assistant who had brilliant big-picture ideas, but she would procrastinate on the admin stuff I depended on her to do. When there were layoffs, she was one of the first to be cut," says Kelly, an editor. "She made it clear she wasn't a team player and was only in the job for herself."
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
"We live in a world where everyone’s phone is attached to their hand, so why is it that phone calls, emails, and texts are only responded to when in office or during office hours?" asks marketing executive Alicia, who adds that she was especially frustrated when, after her offices were closed for two days for a weather-related emergency, no one on her team answered her emails until they were back in the office on Monday.
You shouldn't respond to every single email the moment it comes to your inbox, especially at night or on weekends, but you should make a habit of checking email once a day on Saturday and Sunday — and putting up an out-of-office for when you're truly incommunicado. And if you get a message from your big boss? Respond as soon as you get it — even if it is just to say you'll respond to their request first thing in the a.m.
You shouldn't respond to every single email the moment it comes to your inbox, especially at night or on weekends, but you should make a habit of checking email once a day on Saturday and Sunday — and putting up an out-of-office for when you're truly incommunicado. And if you get a message from your big boss? Respond as soon as you get it — even if it is just to say you'll respond to their request first thing in the a.m.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
Another reason to sit up straight: It may affect how others perceive you. This knowledge isn't new (remember that TED talk about power poses?), but it is worth remembering.
The same goes for sitting in unusual positions. Erin, a nonprofit director, remembers one report who used to "perch on her chair like a pterodactyl. She said it was how she got work done, but it just made her look incredibly young. It was hard to take anything she said seriously."
The same goes for sitting in unusual positions. Erin, a nonprofit director, remembers one report who used to "perch on her chair like a pterodactyl. She said it was how she got work done, but it just made her look incredibly young. It was hard to take anything she said seriously."
ADVERTISEMENT
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
Alicia, the marketing exec, is a manager at a firm that has a lot of after-hours events. "It's part of the job, which is pretty apparent when you enter the field," notes Alicia. Still, she says she sees a lot of her reports ask for comp days or extra pay to work these events.
Bottom line: If you're a full-time employee, sometimes you're expected to step up to the plate on nights and weekends. If you find yourself constantly working on nights and weekends while the rest of the office seems more chill, it may be a good time to have a conversation about priorities with your manager. Otherwise, it may be a sign that this particular job isn't the right fit for you.
Bottom line: If you're a full-time employee, sometimes you're expected to step up to the plate on nights and weekends. If you find yourself constantly working on nights and weekends while the rest of the office seems more chill, it may be a good time to have a conversation about priorities with your manager. Otherwise, it may be a sign that this particular job isn't the right fit for you.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
Again, this is a follow-your-manager's-lead type of situation. In general, experts agree that if she brings a pen and paper to meetings, it's best for you to as well — unless you've been tasked as the official record-keeper.
If you do bring your laptop into a meeting, consider keeping it closed unless you actually need to pull up a page or deck to make a point. It's far too easy to let your attention wander when you have Slack notifications and emails constantly popping up.
If you do bring your laptop into a meeting, consider keeping it closed unless you actually need to pull up a page or deck to make a point. It's far too easy to let your attention wander when you have Slack notifications and emails constantly popping up.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
Unfair but true: Even when you're using your phone for work-related tasks, constantly glancing at it can make you seem uncommitted.
"I went to a meeting where one woman constantly checked her phone. It wasn't until halfway in I realized she was doing it to check her notes," says Jennifer, a media executive. "Even knowing that, it still looked a bit unprofessional. I think that whenever possible, you should have notes to refer to on paper, rather than your phone."
And just because your CEO regularly refers to her phone doesn't give you a pass. Unless you absolutely need it, keep it to the side when you're engaged in meetings or conversations.
"I went to a meeting where one woman constantly checked her phone. It wasn't until halfway in I realized she was doing it to check her notes," says Jennifer, a media executive. "Even knowing that, it still looked a bit unprofessional. I think that whenever possible, you should have notes to refer to on paper, rather than your phone."
And just because your CEO regularly refers to her phone doesn't give you a pass. Unless you absolutely need it, keep it to the side when you're engaged in meetings or conversations.
Illustrated by Bella DiMarzio.
If your boss is buried in work, you don't need to bother her to say hey, but if you're in the elevator together, it's just good form to say "hello" or "goodbye" — yes, even to someone high up at the company (as long as you're not interrupting them).
"I think it's so rude when people don't acknowledge me," notes Jennifer, the media exec. "I'm not saying they need to fawn over me, but a, 'Hello, how was your day?' is just common courtesy."
And when you say goodbye, don't ask your boss if they need you to do anything else while your coat is on and your bag is over your shoulder. Ask before you pack up, so they know you actually want to pitch in.
"I think it's so rude when people don't acknowledge me," notes Jennifer, the media exec. "I'm not saying they need to fawn over me, but a, 'Hello, how was your day?' is just common courtesy."
And when you say goodbye, don't ask your boss if they need you to do anything else while your coat is on and your bag is over your shoulder. Ask before you pack up, so they know you actually want to pitch in.
ADVERTISEMENT
Load more...