6 Ways to Tell You You're Not Promotion Material

Too many employees make the mistake of listening for what they want to hear instead of decoding the underlying message they are being given. If you had a discussion with your boss about career advancement and he/she used any of the following expressions, it might be time for you to look elsewhere for your career advancement opportunity.

1. You do a great job for us in the role you're in. Translation: You are a great subject matter expert but are not seen as having the potential to take on additional responsibilities.

2. We can't afford to move you anywhere else. Translation: Companies can always afford to move a high-potential employee somewhere else, if they don't do it, it is because you are not that employee.

3. You have great potential but we need you in your job awhile longer. Translation: Get ready to stay where you are for a long time because "awhile longer" is corporate speak for "for ever."

4. We have nobody to replace you in your current job. Translation: We don't see you going anywhere so we didn't feel the need to plan your succession.

5. The customers love you and they wouldn't understand us moving you out of your job. Translation: Your boss is too much of a coward to tell you the truth so he/she is using the customer excuse to deliver the message. Customers are always happy when a great advocate is promoted inside their supplier company.

6. I want to offer you a promotion but HR is blocking it. Translation: I really haven't tried to promote you and am using HR as my fall-out guy. HR doesn't decide promotions, managers and leaders do.

So, what next? Request a meeting with your boss and your HR business partner to discuss your career advancement prospects. Ask for three things:

1. Where does the company see you progressing in the next 12-24 months.

2. What do you need to work on or demonstrate to have access to a promotion.

3. Schedule quarterly reviews to discuss your progress.