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Many people receive a promotion offer at some point in their professional career, but how long does it take? Should it always be accepted? What are the real consequences of such a change in position? We’ve investigated for you!
"For me, a promotion is not a finish line, but a step in a career path that evolves over time. Above all, it has given me a new lease of motivation and allowed me to approach my work differently." - Inga, Sales Manager at Moovijob.com.
Promotion: a matter of experience?
According to a recent survey conducted by Moovijob.com, 44% of workers who received a promotion were offered one less than three years after entering working life. Meanwhile, 25% had between three and five years of experience when they received their first promotion. It is therefore possible to be promoted without having a great deal of experience, and ultimately, it comes down to opportunities and having the necessary skills.
A Communications Manager interviewed for our study shared her experience:
"I started at my current company as an intern. I was then offered a permanent contract and, a few months later, my manager left the company. After a transition period, management offered me the role, which I accepted. I only had a year and a half of experience, but the opportunity came up, and I was able to show that I had the necessary skills."
Furthermore, 15% of respondents were promoted between six and ten years after starting, while the remaining 17% after more than ten years. Indeed, very senior roles tend to require more experience. In certain sectors, such as finance, promotions are often based on seniority and may even be automatic depending on the contract. Finally, some fields offer limited progression opportunities, while others guarantee it. Being promoted, therefore, largely depends on the industry.
A promotion may also come about naturally as you gain experience within a company and therefore take on more responsibilities. This is what Vassiliki, an events manager promoted after more than 10 years in her career, shared with us. She explained that her promotion was offered "so that the title would match the work being done". She added that, although being promoted was not her main objective, "it’s a reflection that you are progressing within the company and that your work is recognised and appreciated."
Results of the survey conducted by Moovijob.com on corporate promotion in Luxembourg
How to get a promotion?
Unfortunately, there is no miracle solution for getting a promotion. Everything depends on your company, your position, and above all, availability. Having experience within a company may increase your chances of being promoted, but a position might also open very soon after your arrival, and you may simply be the most qualified person to step into it.
There are sometimes automatic promotion clauses in companies, as mentioned earlier. These may be linked to objectives or seniority. They help motivate employees to go the extra mile, but also provide a clear and objective framework to reduce arbitrary judgment.
It’s a question of opportunity… but also of courage! Don’t be afraid to ask for a promotion if you believe you deserve it, especially if you have data to back it up or if you feel your superiors are aware of the work you are doing.
One person surveyed, who was promoted with less than five years of experience in the investment sector, told us:
"I got it because I asked for it. And management accepted because my performance fully justified it."
Sometimes opportunities simply don’t arise within a company, and even with strong results and significant experience, the long-awaited promotion never comes. In this case, you should not hesitate to seek a position elsewhere. The grass is sometimes greener on the other side!
Should you always accept a promotion?
For some, it’s the Holy Grail. But is it really that important? A promotion usually means a higher salary. Isn’t that every worker’s dream? Perhaps…
In Luxembourg, an employer can impose a promotion without the employee’s consent, as long as it is not detrimental to them.
If you want to learn more about promotion legislation in Luxembourg, read this article.
However, most of the time, the employer will consult the employee to find out whether they are interested in the promotion. In this case, it is crucial to take some time to think and consider your new role. All changes must be considered, such as working hours, new missions, or prospects. It is also essential to ask yourself whether your skills are suited to the new role and whether it aligns with your long-term ambitions.
Someone who was promoted in under three years in the Luxembourg real estate sector told us there is "no reason to refuse, unless you really feel not fit for the role. For example, if you are promoted to a managerial position and you know that it is not your strength."
Being promoted is also significant recognition, which is both gratifying and motivating for any employee. Everyone likes their work to be valued. But promotion should not necessarily be a major goal early in your career. It mostly results from circumstances and personal choices that may evolve.
Inga, Sales Manager at Moovijob.com, told us:
"After more than six years as an Account Manager, my promotion to Sales Manager was both an achievement and a fresh beginning. I had never seen promotion as an end in itself, but rather as the natural outcome of the work I had done, the responsibilities I had taken on, and the desire to go further. Above all, what I felt was genuine recognition. You realise that your efforts have meaning, that they are seen. But it also brings a challenge: the need to reinvent yourself, to find a new place within the team, and to keep learning."
Vassiliki also pointed out that the most important thing is that the promotion is "in line with your objectives". A promotion can also give your career a strong boost. Holding a higher-level position always looks good on a CV.
Beyond its advantages, a promotion can sometimes be detrimental to the employee, which is why it is crucial to assess the situation carefully beforehand. Sometimes, a promotion may even be imposed by an employer to push an employee towards the exit by assigning them a role that does not match their skills or aspirations.
If you are unsure, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your superior and/or clarify or even negotiate certain points of the contract.
Have you been waiting for a promotion for years and it still has not happened? Maybe it's time to look elsewhere...
