A NYU psychology professor who has assisted numerous individuals in navigating the workplace: Three Reasons You're Not Advancing in Your Career

No one relishes being passed over for a promotion.

As a psychology professor at New York University with experience in helping people resolve workplace conflicts, I've observed the frustration many individuals experience when they struggle to obtain a promotion. They often ponder what they may have done incorrectly.

Understanding the reasons for not getting a promotion can be challenging due to its complexity. However, there are recurring patterns and similarities that can help you comprehend what occurred and what actions you can take now.

To provide more clarity, I have condensed the reasons into three main causes that apply to various professions.

1. You don't know how much status you have

By observing how individuals behave towards one another in various settings, such as formal meetings and informal conversations, people typically determine their status over a period of hundreds of interactions. Even minor details, such as who receives an email promptly, can provide valuable insights.

The status at work is often determined by having the right skills or experience, which is known as "prestige-based status." As a result, we tend to respect and listen to those who possess this type of status without interrupting them.

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Your competence and skill should be directly linked to your status, but sometimes status is determined by factors such as gender, race, or family ties to the boss.

If you work in a place where status isn't earned, it can be challenging to get promoted, even if you are the loudest person in the room.

The most expensive error you can make when seeking a promotion is assuming you possess more prestige than you actually do.

To enhance the precision of your perceptions, consider taking these small steps.

• Observe subtle cues during team interactions and meetings to determine if others follow up on comments made by a speaker or change the subject entirely.
• Before discussing your assumptions about status with your boss or a leader on your team, gather some data by asking around. After collecting the information, ask, "Do you think my contributions during our discussion about budget cuts made much of an impact?" If you feel that your contributions were not significant, inquire as to why. Avoid asking, "Do I have status here?" as it may come across as vague and may not elicit an honest response.

2. There are roadblocks that don't have to do with you

There may be obstacles to your success that are beyond your control, which may become apparent when you attempt to advance and find that you are unable to do so.

One of the most common reasons individuals do not receive promotions is because they underestimate the extent of their boss's influence. However, even if a boss desires to promote an employee, they may not possess the authority to make it occur.

Rewritten sentence: Keep track of which bosses were tied to promotions, not just who was promoted.

You may not be getting promoted because you're seeking advice from the wrong people - those you believe have greater respect and influence than they truly do.

A well-connected boss can assist you in determining if there is a viable "next job" opportunity within the organization for you.

Ask yourself:

• What is the typical career path for individuals who aspire to your role, and how long did it take them to advance from their previous position?
• Is it possible to determine if the abilities required for success in one job are similar to those needed for success in another job?
• Do you believe that assuming additional responsibilities and roles can enhance your visibility and demonstrate your leadership and other abilities beyond what you currently utilize in your job?
• What is the level of competition for your aspirational role, and how many individuals are successful in obtaining it compared to the number of competitors per year (or quarter)?

3. Your workplace has experienced a major jolt

Sometimes you fail to get promoted because your status has been disrupted by a jolt.

The transition from working in an office to working from home is a sudden change that many of us have encountered. The strategies that helped us maintain our position before the shift, such as sitting at the front of the room, were no longer applicable after the shift: There is no front row on Zoom.

Suddenly, your company switches its official language from English to French. From the next day onwards, all company meetings must be conducted in French. As a result, non-native speakers will experience a decline in their standing.

If you've experienced a jolt at work:

• Don't jeopardize your long-term success by withholding resources from colleagues you perceive as rivals, even if it may seem advantageous in the short term.
• To earn respect and achieve a promotion, you must adapt to unexpected changes and adjust your behavior accordingly.

Tessa West, a social psychologist and professor at New York University, has dedicated her career to using science to help people navigate workplace conflicts. She is the author of two books, "Jerks at Work" and "Job Therapy," and can be followed on Twitter @TessaWestNYU.

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Rewritten: "Job therapy can help individuals find work that aligns with their values, interests, and abilities."