From Overlooked to Promoted: 5 Proven Steps to Stand Out and Move Up at Work

They told her to “just keep doing great work.”

So she did.

She led the high-profile project.

Managed every moving part.

Delivered results that made the entire department look good.

And when promotion season came around?

They promoted someone else.

Someone who hadn’t done nearly as much, but had been more visible, more vocal, and more strategic.

If that hit a nerve, this post is for you.

Because getting promoted isn’t just about being excellent.

It’s about being seen as a leader. And knowing how to move with intention, not exhaustion.

Let’s break down the five steps that actually get you promoted without losing yourself in the process.

Step 1: Define What Promotion Actually Means to You

Before chasing a new title, ask yourself what do I really want?

Is it more money?

Is it strategic influence and decision-making power?

Is it recognition and visibility?

Is it schedule freedom and fewer meetings?

If you don’t define what “the next level” means to you, someone else will.

And you could end up with more responsibility and no alignment.

Try this:

Write your own definition of career success. Not what they told you in college. Not what your mentor wants. Yours.

Clarity is power. You can’t go after what you haven’t defined.

Step 2: Stop Blending In and Start Showing Up Strategically

You don’t get promoted for doing the most.

You get promoted for doing the right things and making them known.

Here’s what most high-performing women get wrong.

They assume their work will speak for itself. But the truth is, your work speaks louder when you learn how to narrate it.

Here’s how to shift from overlooked to in demand:

• Keep a running weekly log of wins, metrics, and moments that show leadership

• Schedule monthly one-on-ones with your manager to align on growth and visibility

• Speak up with insights, not just updates, during meetings

• Connect your work to the company’s business goals, not just tasks

Let me tell you what I’ve seen firsthand.

A woman I know led a high-profile project top to bottom.

She scoped it, led the team, navigated roadblocks, and delivered major results.

Three months of proving she was ready.

Three months of showing she could lead at the next level.

And when promotion opportunities came?

Her name didn’t even come up.

Visibility isn’t just about performance.

It’s about being positioned and remembered in the rooms where decisions get made.

Step 3: Make Room for the Level You’re Asking For

Promotions don’t just come with more money.

They come with higher expectations, faster decisions, and bigger visibility.

Which means if your calendar is already jammed with reactive work, you won’t have capacity to operate at a higher level.

Ask yourself:

If I already had the promotion, how would I be protecting my time, energy, and calendar?

Then start practicing now.

• Block white space for deep thinking

• Say no to projects that don’t align with your growth

• Create systems to delegate and streamline your output

This isn’t about doing less.

It’s about leading like your next-level self before the title arrives.

Step 4: Advocate for Yourself Before You Feel 100 Percent Ready

Most women wait for someone to tap them on the shoulder.

But the truth is, the people who get promoted are often the ones who step up early and advocate clearly.

You don’t have to know everything.

You just need to speak like someone who’s thinking beyond their current seat.

Try this in your next one-on-one:

“I’ve been reflecting on the value I’ve added over the last few months and would love to talk about what growth could look like from here — specifically what the path to promotion entails and how I can start preparing.”

Or

“Given the impact of [specific project], I’d love to explore what contributing at a higher level could look like in terms of scope, leadership, and visibility.”

You’re not being pushy.

You’re modeling leadership and making your ambition clear.

Step 5: Surround Yourself With Growth-Minded Women

Promotion isn’t just about what happens at work.

It’s also about who you’re in conversation with outside of work.

If your circle is full of people who think playing small is humble, you’ll keep shrinking.

But when you’re in a room where women normalize asking for more; more pay, more peace, more leadership… everything shifts.

Find a space where career growth is the standard.

That’s why I created The Vault, a Career Collective and space where high-achieving women map their next move with strategy, not guesswork.

Ready to take it further?

Join The Vault Waitlist

The Next Level Should Feel Like Alignment, Not Survival

If you’ve ever been told to be patient,

If you’ve ever watched someone less experienced get promoted ahead of you,

If you’ve ever wondered if maybe you’re just not the kind of person who gets tapped for leadership

Let me be clear.

You don’t need to overwork.

You don’t need to wait.

You don’t need to become someone else.

You need a plan. A position. A voice that backs your value. And a strategy that reflects how far you’re about to go.

Want to build your promotion plan with expert guidance?

Join The Vault and learn how to advocate, plan, and move forward with support, scripts, and strategy that match your ambition.