Asking for a Job Promotion
In this lesson, you will practice using English to talk to a supervisor or manager. This lesson will help prepare you to ask for a job promotion when you think you are ready to receive a pay increase and/or role change.
Part 1
Pre-Reading
Answer these questions below.
What’s the difference between getting a job and getting a promotion?
Why do people receive job promotions?
Who should employees go to when they want to ask for a job promotion?
What happens at a performance review?
Have you ever received a job promotion? If yes, `how did you get it?
Match the words on the left with the correct meanings on the right.
promotion ___
to teach and guide a worker
responsibilities ___
an increase in wages or salary
train ___
a higher-paying and/or more advanced position at one’s workplace
procedure ___
trustworthy
reliable ___
with agreement, without being forced
raise ___
work duties
willing ___
to act as a substitute for someone who is unavailable
cover ___
the times when you are able to work
availability ___
a series of actions conducted in a certain order or manner to achieve a result
performance review ___
a meeting or report where an employee’s work achievements and progress are evaluated by a manager or supervisor
Part 2
Dialogues
Read the dialogue with your partner a few times. Take turns being each character. Practice your intonation and pronunciation. Circle any new words or phrases that you are unfamiliar with.
Employee: Hello, Elise. Can I talk to you for a minute?
Supervisor: Of course. What’s on your mind?
Employee: Well, I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of a promotion. I’ve worked here for a year now. I love my job, and I think I’m ready for more responsibilities.
Supervisor: I’m happy you came to me about this, Anthony.
Employee: Thanks. It’s been on my mind since I saw the ad you put out for a shift manager.
Supervisor: Yes. I’m glad you approached me. It’s hard to believe you have been with us for a year already. Do you think you are capable of training new staff and closing up at night?
Employee: Yes, I do. I used to train new staff at my previous job. I’m very comfortable with all of the procedures here now, and I think I do a good job.
Supervisor: Yes, you are very reliable. Are you looking for a raise as well?
Employee: Well, I noticed that you are offering $2.00 more per hour for the shift manager position.
Supervisor: True. This job does come with more responsibilities. Would you be willing to come in and cover for people if they are sick?
Employee: Yes. I have more availability now that my classes are finished. I am up for the challenge.
Supervisor: Great. I’ll schedule a performance review for next week. Then we can discuss the possibility of this promotion.
Employee: Thanks for considering me for the position.
Supervisor: Thank you for taking the initiative. I like the idea of hiring internally for this role.
Part 3
Practice
Work with your partner. Role-play the dialogue on page 3,
substituting the different expressions below. Then switch roles.
1. Can I talk to you for a minute?
• Do you have a minute for a quick chat?
• There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.
• Can I speak to you about something?
2. What’s on your mind?
• Is everything okay?
• What would you like to discuss?
• What are you thinking about?
3. I think I’m ready for more responsibilities.
• I’m ready for a new challenge.
• I’m ready to take on something new.
• I’d like to try something more challenging.
4. I’m happy you came to me about this.
• I’m glad you chose to discuss this with me.
• It’s good that you want to grow.
• That’s great to hear.
5. Are you looking for a raise as well?
• Are you hoping for a raise?
• Are you also interested in a pay increase?
• Is this also about your salary?
6. Would you be willing to come in and cover for people if they are sick?
• Are you okay with covering other people’s sick days?
• Can you make yourself available if others are sick?
• Are you aware that shift managers often cover sick days?
7. I have more availability now.
• I have more time than I did before.
• My schedule is more flexible now.
• I am able to cover for people now.
8. I am up for the challenge.
• I am ready to take this on.
• I am excited about the added responsibility.
• I am open to new challenges.
9. Thanks for considering me for the position.
• I appreciate your consideration.
• Thanks for giving me a chance.
• I am happy for the opportunity to prove myself.
10. Thank you for taking the initiative.
• Good job for putting yourself out there.
• I’m proud of you for coming to me about this.
• It’s great that you’re looking to move up.
Part 4
Listening Practice
Listen to the recording of the dialogue on page 3. Fill in the missing words as you listen. Listen again. Now look back at page 3 and check your work. Did you fill in the correct words? Did you spell everything correctly?
Employee: Hello, Elise. Can I talk to you for a minute?
Supervisor: Of course. What’s on your mind?
Employee: Well, I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of a ____________. I’ve worked here for a year now. I love my job, and I think I’m ready for more ____________.
Supervisor: I’m happy you came to me about this, Anthony.
Employee: Thanks. It’s been on my mind since I saw the ad you put out for a shift manager.
Supervisor: Yes. I’m glad you approached me. It’s hard to believe you have been with us for a year already. Do you think you are capable of training new staff and closing up at night?
Employee: Yes, I do. I used to ____________ new staff at my previous job. I’m very comfortable with all of the procedures here now, and I think I do a good job.
Supervisor: Yes, you are very ____________. Are you looking for a raise as well?
Employee: Well, I noticed that you are offering $2.00 more per hour for the shift manager position.
Supervisor: True. This job does come with more responsibilities. Would you be willing to come in and ____________ for people if they are sick?
Employee: Yes. I have more ____________ now that my classes are finished. I am up for the challenge.
Supervisor: Great. I’ll schedule a ____________ review for next week. Then we can discuss the possibility of this promotion.
Employee: Thanks for considering me for the position.
Supervisor: Thank you for taking the ____________ I like the idea of hiring internally for this role.
Part 5
Vocabulary Review and Write Your Own Dialogue
Circle the word or phrase that does NOT belong in each group and explain why it is the odd one out.
1. a) arrive late
b) leave early
4. a) leave early
b) be absent
7. a) arrive late
b) leave early
2. a) arrive late
b) leave early
5. a) arrive late
b) be absent
8. a) arrive late
b) be absent
3. a) leave early
b) be absent
6. a) arrive late
b) be absent
9. a) leave early
b) be absent
10. a) dependable
b) reliable
c) capable
d) challenging
Write a dialogue with a partner using phrases from page 4.
One of you will be an employee who is interested in a job promotion and the other will be a supervisor. Practice and present the dialogue to your class.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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Part 6
Review
Listen to the conversation and answer the questions.
Your teacher will tell you if you have to write or say the answers.
What is the main purpose of the interaction?
Why does the employee think this is a good time to approach his supervisor?
Why does the employee think he is capable of the shift manager position?
What can be inferred about a shift manager’s schedule?
Why does the employee mention $2.00?
What has changed in regards to the employee’s availability?
Did the employee get a promotion? Explain why or why not.
Imagine you are an employee who noticed a job ad for a position that you are interested in at your workplace. Write down some questions and thoughts for your supervisor about this opportunity. Try to use some vocabulary and phrases from this lesson. Have a conversation with your
partner (supervisor). Then switch roles.