How do you get a promotion in the tech industry?

Tech professionals are some of the most ambitious people on the planet, always thinking about the next level—and the one after that. As an executive coach for tech leaders, I regularly speak with individuals who are already plotting their path to promotion before they’ve even settled into their current role.

The truth is, getting promoted in tech doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional, methodical action and strategic self-advocacy. It requires a delicate balance of performing exceptionally well in your current role while demonstrating impact at the next level before you’re officially there.

In this article, I break down 10 practical, actionable strategies that will help you position yourself for a promotion in tech and confidently navigate the process from start to finish.

10 Steps To Get A Promotion In The Tech Industry

1. Communicate your intentions.

It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many people never actually tell their manager they want a promotion.

I recently asked a client, “What feedback has your manager given you about getting to the next level?” They paused, realizing they had never clearly said out loud that they wanted to move up. 

If you’re eyeing a promotion in tech, your boss needs to know. Share your goals early—and often—so they can help you build a roadmap then advocate for you when the time comes.

2. Gain your manager’s buy-in.

Tech promotions don’t exist in silos. They’re a team effort, and your manager will likely be your most important teammate.

You’ll want to ask your manager questions that invite partnership and create clarity, such as:

• “What steps can I take to increase my likelihood of being promoted?”
• “What might get in my way, and how can I overcome it?”
• “What additional recommendations do you have as I prepare for this next level?”

Then, go a level higher. Meet with your skip-level manager and ask questions like:

• “What has my boss shared with you about my performance and development areas?”
• “How can I ensure that you’re 100% supportive of my promotion?”
• “What advice do you have as I craft my promotion package?”

The more alignment you have across leaders, the smoother your promotion path will be.

3. Make your boss look good (year-round).

Let’s be honest: people advocate for those who make them look good. This is particularly true in big tech companies with multiple management layers.

Regularly ask your manager questions like:

• “What are your biggest priorities this quarter or year?”
• “What are your career goals, and how can I help you achieve them?”
• “How can I make you look good to your boss?”

That last question might sound simple, but it reveals a ton about what your manager values most. Be sure to ask it regularly, not just before tech promotion season, and then follow through on what you hear.

4. Know the promotion requirements.

Beyond your manager’s support, you must be crystal clear on what your company actually expects at the next level.

Far too often, I speak with leaders who are working incredibly hard on the wrong things. For example, one client was leading multiple internal committees and employee resource group (ERG) initiatives that were valuable contributions but didn’t directly align with the company’s promotion criteria.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue projects you care about. You just want to prioritize work that will truly make a difference come promotion decision time.

Take time to review your company’s leveling guide or promotion rubric carefully, and ask your manager for clarity if anything is ambiguous.

Know that most large tech companies tend to be very specific and granular regarding what it takes to get a promotion. Additionally, many often want you to be performing at the next level already before they promote you there.

Regardless, you must focus on work that truly moves the needle.

5. Develop relationships with decision-makers.

Promotions in tech are about so much more than performance. They’re also about your ability to develop relationships and influence. Ultimately, they’re about perception.

Ask yourself, “Who will be in the room when my promotion is being discussed?”

This often includes:

• Your manager and skip-level manager
• Your manager’s peers, especially if cross-functional collaboration is a key part of your role
• Your HR business partner or other HR liaison
• Senior stakeholders who’ve observed your work directly or indirectly

Create a list of everyone who might influence the decision and proactively strengthen those relationships. Think of it as being like a politician gathering “votes”—because in many ways, that’s exactly what it is.

6. Prioritize impact.

While your accomplishments matter, your impact is what will seal the deal.

Make your impact clear by tying your contributions directly to department and business goals. For example, instead of saying, “Saved $XM,” you might say, “Saved $XM, directly supporting company’s goal of $2B operational cost reduction.”

As I shared with USA Today, you want to back up your claim with numbers like revenue generated and costs saved.

I recently reviewed a client’s promotion package that read more like a job description than a business case. He was driving tens of millions of dollars in revenue growth that directly supported the CEO and board’s strategic priorities, but that impact wasn’t called out.

Don’t make this same mistake. While tech companies’ forms are often rigid, your strategic response can tell a compelling story about how your work directly supports the overall organization’s business success.

This is your time to shine and showcase how you’re thinking and performing at the next level.

7. Speak with people who have been promoted at your company.

One of the most powerful ways to prepare for your own promotion is to learn from people who’ve already done it successfully at your company.

Start with your manager, then expand to colleagues who’ve recently navigated the process. Conduct informational interviews and ask:

• “What helped you get promoted?”
• “What would you do differently next time?”
• “What surprised you about the promotion process?”

Expert tip: Many tech companies offer formal mentorship programs that connect you with leaders who’ve been in your shoes. Importantly, you need to take the initiative and opt in to become part of these initiatives.

8. Lean into your strengths—hard.

As a strengths coach, I’m a proponent of leading with what you do best. Tech promotions are often earned by doubling down on your natural talents and applying them at a higher, more strategic level.

For example, if one of your top strengths is Strategic, you might showcase specific examples of how you’ve anticipated challenges and guided your team through ambiguity. If it’s Relator, you could highlight how your deep relationships have helped drive team cohesion or project success.

Be specific, and tie these stories directly to the promotion requirements and your department or company goals, rather than having them exist in isolation.

[Read: 150+ Powerful Examples Of Talents And Strengths For Your Career]

9. Identify your developmental areas.

Expect to be asked about your development areas, or weaknesses, during the promotion process.

Avoid cop-out responses like “I work too hard” or “I care too much.”

Instead, choose something that shows true self-awareness and growth. Then, be ready to articulate how you’re addressing it and that you will continue to at the next level.

Also, don’t be afraid to bring up new challenges that may arise at the next level. For instance, if your next role will involve managing managers for the first time, share that you’ve enrolled in a leadership development program or sought mentorship from senior leaders who’ve done it successfully.

10. Invest in executive coaching.

Partnering with an executive coach before, during, and after the promotion process can be transformative.

A coach can offer you a fresh, objective perspective that you can’t get from colleagues, managers, or mentors.

If you secure the promotion, your coach will help you hit the ground running. If you don’t, they’ll support you in identifying what’s missing and positioning yourself for success in the next cycle.

Important note: Your company may have professional development funds that you can use for executive coaching. Ask your manager or HR department how you can access them.

[Read: “What Is Executive Coaching?” Answered]

How Often Should I Expect To Get Promoted In Tech?

Don’t expect to get promoted every year—or even every other year—when working in tech. There simply aren’t enough management and executive roles available for that to be realistic. You’re also competing with some of the brightest and most ambitious professionals in the world, especially if you work at a large tech company.

If you’re repeatedly getting passed over for promotions, it might be time to sharpen your self-promotion skills, learn the art of influence, and more clearly communicate your impact.

[Read: 12 Powerful Ways To Advance Your Tech Career Without Switching Companies]

How Do I Get Better At Self-Promotion?

Self-promotion is an important workplace skill that takes practice and time to get used to. Reframe self-promotion as “fact sharing,” where you’re simply sharing data with your colleagues and manager.

Try to step outside your comfort zone and start to regularly share small workplace wins during team meetings, over email, or via Teams or Slack. You’ll become more comfortable with self-promotion at work over time.

What Should I Do If I Was Passed Over For A Promotion?

It’s normal to be passed over for a promotion, particularly in tech, where the bar for the next level is high, as they want the change in staffing to mean something.

Start by seeking clarity on why you weren’t promoted so you can create a plan to exploit any areas of opportunity.

Also, determine whether these areas are things you can realistically address or if you’ve reached the ceiling at your current company and need to start exploring new opportunities.

Final Thoughts On Landing A Promotion In Tech

Securing a promotion in tech isn’t just about working hard. You must be intentional, take strategic action, advocate for yourself, and know exactly what your company expects from leaders at the next level.

Whether you’re preparing for a potential tech promotion or simply want to learn more about the power of executive coaching to accelerate your career and leadership, please feel free to schedule a consultation—I’d love to chat with you. I’m here for you! You’ve got this!