You started at the same company, around the same time, in the same role. Then one day your colleague gets promoted — and you're left wondering what you missed.
It's a frustrating feeling. But before you spiral into self-doubt or assume you're being overlooked unfairly, it helps to understand what's actually going on.
The Playing Field Has Changed
First, some context: career growth has slowed across the board. "Slow hire, slow fire" is becoming the new normal, meaning fewer layoffs but also fewer promotions. If your career feels stagnant, you're not alone — the entire labor market is cooling.
That said, some people are still moving up. And it's rarely about being more talented or being the boss's favorite. More often, it comes down to a few habits you might not have noticed.
What They're Doing Differently
They're handling the small stuff. That promotion didn't happen overnight. It was built on months of relationship maintenance, proactive feedback loops, and follow-through on the details most people let slide.
They're making themselves visible. Being good at your job isn't enough if nobody knows about it. Employees who regularly share their contributions — in meetings, in emails, in casual conversations — are simply more likely to get promoted. It feels uncomfortable at first, but silence is a career killer.
They're growing with intention. They're not saying yes to everything — they're saying yes to the right things. Projects that align with where they want to go. Skills that set them up for the next level. They're not hustling harder; they're hustling smarter.
They've built a personal brand. How you show up consistently — your communication style, your reliability, even how you present yourself — shapes how people think of you when opportunities arise.
How To Close The Gap
Talk to your manager directly. Ask what your next level looks like and exactly what it takes to get there. Don't guess — get a roadmap.
Start talking about your work. Sharing your wins isn't arrogance; it's strategy. If you don't fill that space, someone else will.
Invest in relationships beyond your immediate team. Promotions often happen in rooms you're not in. The more people who know your name and your work, the better your odds.
Play the long game. Your coworker may have reached the next rung first — but the goal isn't to keep up with them. It's to build something more sustainable for yourself.
Getting passed over stings. But it's rarely the end of the story. It's usually just useful information about what to do next.