Aspirations of moving up and getting a promotion are the norm for sales professionals. You want to move up to more significant roles with more responsibilities, higher profile clients, and more money. Simply being with a company for a certain amount of time doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be in line for the promotion you want. There are many other factors at play; some you have control over and others you don’t. 

If you’ve been wondering why you’re not getting a promotion at your sales job, it could be one of many things. Below, our sales recruiters outline some of the top reasons why you’re not moving up to a more senior role. 

1. You haven’t made others aware

This is one of the most common things that prevent sales professionals from getting a promotion. It’s essential that you make it clear to your manager that you are interested in moving up. You can never assume that they know you want a promotion. Have a conversation about it with them to ensure you are on their radar when the time comes to promote someone on your team. 

2. You are lacking certain skills or experience

Depending on the promotion that is available, you may lack certain skills or experience to qualify you for the role. For example, if the company is looking to move a sales rep into a sales manager position, a lack of management experience could hurt your chances. If you want to get promoted, look into the skills and experience you’ll need. If you are lacking, look for ways to add these skills and experience. For example, through professional development, training programs, and mentorship. 

3. You don’t take feedback or constructive criticism well

When a potential promotion is available, it’s common for sales managers and leaders to work with people internally to prep them for the role. But if you are not good at taking feedback from others, it could hurt your chances. If you get defensive or blame others, it’s a sign to management that you are not the right person to move up in the organization. Companies reward sales professionals who are open to feedback and are on a path of professional growth. 

4. You are not taking initiative

You can’t expect to be promoted simply because you’ve put in time with a company. Sales companies reward those who have put in the work and show initiative, not just those who show up. If you are not putting in the extra work and showing that you are working toward bettering yourself professionally, you’ll have a hard time convincing management that you deserve a promotion. 

More Sales Career Advice From Our Sales Headhunters

6 Things to Do on Your First Day in a New Sales Job

You’re Promoted! 5 Tips from Sales Recruiters to Help You Get That Promotion

6 Common Types of Sales Jobs: Which Is the Right One for You?

SalesForce Search is a sales recruitment agency that specializes in hiring sales rockstars. Hiring top salespeople is tough. Only 55% meet their quota. Our proactive approach recruits talented salespeople before they hit the market. As North America’s leading sales headhunter we recruit salespeople in every sector of the economy including, software, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices. To find your next sales rockstar, start your search here.