If your boss or the hiring manager tells you in person that you didn’t get the promotion, thank them for taking the time to interview you. Avoid asking questions until you’ve had time to process the rejection.
Avoid gossiping and venting your frustrations with coworkers. It could get back to management that you weren’t being gracious. If the other candidate comes up in conversation, try saying, “They really deserved it,” or “They were really qualified. "
For example, say something like, “I was hoping you could tell me why I wasn’t selected. I’d like to be able to improve for the next opportunity. ”
Ask if anyone has ever said you’re difficult to work with. While you may not think this is true, you can make an effort to be more flexible in the future.
Was the other candidate really good at leading a team? Ask if there are any small-scale projects coming up where you could lead a couple people to get some practice.
Only pitch ideas that you truly believe in. Don’t advocate for new concepts just for the sake of being innovative.
Don’t use this as a bargaining chip with your current employer. It will seem like an ultimatum, and they likely won’t respond well to it. If they say your salary is appropriate for your skill level, ask them which skills you should focus on learning in order to become more valuable in the job market.
Look for job descriptions that specifically mention timeframes for raises or evaluations, such as at three months, six months, or one year. Companies that mention built-in training programs or tuition reimbursement are probably interested in helping you grow and move up in your career. [14] X Research source
