We love celebrating our client wins, and Ben’s story is one of our favorites! He got promoted within his company, even though the role didn’t exist yet – which means, they created a position just for him! We love seeing our clients get results like this! Here’s what happened, and the exact strategies you can use if you’re wondering how to get promoted, even when there’s no clear role available.
Meet Ben, and how he got the role that didn’t exist yet
Ben Brown was a data analyst who felt called to do something more. For years, he had a vision for the kind of work he wanted to do: creative, impactful, and rooted in data science. But after waiting through leadership changes and unfulfilled promises, it became clear – no one was going to create that job for him.
With prayerful courage and quiet persistence, Ben took action. He started building the role he felt called to, even when it looked like there was no space for it. What followed was a 35% raise, a data scientist role created just for him, and a deep sense of alignment between his skills and calling!
If you’re wondering if there’s anything left for you at your company, don’t assume your only option is to leave. Like Ben, you might be closer than you think to stepping into your next chapter… right where you are!
Here’s how to get promoted without waiting for a job opening:
1. Stop waiting to be chosen, start doing!
Ben could have stayed in the “wait and see” mode, hoping that one day someone would give him the chance to do data science work. But instead of waiting, he started doing!
He carved out time in his week to work on a side project – one that reflected the kind of value he wanted to bring to the company. It wasn’t something he was getting extra credit for. But it was aligned with who he was called to be, and he showed up anyway.
Sometimes God really calls us to go first – to step out in obedience even when there’s no guarantee of how it will turn out.
2. Don’t just talk about your value – you have to show it!
A lot of people say they want a promotion. Fewer people show the kind of initiative and creativity that actually makes them indispensable. That’s what Ben did.
He didn’t just say, “I could help with this.” He created a fully functional data science project that saved the company time and brought clarity to messy systems. And that made leadership stop and say, “We need more of this.”
If you’re wondering how to do this, ask yourself: what problem can I solve before someone asks me to? What’s one project I could start today that reflects the job I want, and not just the job I have?
3. Build a business case even if it’s not in your job description
The truth is, most companies won’t create a new role unless they see why it’s worth it. That’s why Ben treated his internal project like a proof of concept. He tracked results, shared it with trusted leadership, and let the work speak for itself.
What started as a “3% chance this might go somewhere” became a fully budgeted, posted position, tailor-made just for him.
So if you want a role that doesn’t exist, act like it already does. Let your work be the evidence that your company needs this, and you’re the right person for it.
4. Stay patient, but don’t stay silent
Ben had months of waiting, back-and-forth meetings with HR, and budget approvals. At one point, the company even froze new postings, but Ben stayed in it – not with passive hope, but with strategic faith.
He kept communicating, following up, and made it clear: “If there’s truly no opportunity, I’ll need to look elsewhere. But I’d love to stay, if we can align on what this looks like.”
Sometimes, you really have to advocate for yourself, but with humility and clarity! Remind your leaders the value you’re bringing and the vision you’re willing to keep building, if they’re open to it.
5. Prepare to negotiate, even internally
A lot of people assume you can’t negotiate when staying at your company, but Ben’s story proves otherwise. He walked into the new role with a 35% raise – not because he asked for it out of nowhere, but because he spent months becoming the person who deserved it. His preparation paid off, and his actions spoke louder than any resume ever could.
Just because it’s an internal shift doesn’t mean you can’t ask for fair compensation. You have to know your market value, impact, and worth!
The Bottomline: You Can Grow Where You’re Planted
If you feel stuck in your current job and wondering for so long on how to get promoted, don’t assume your only option is to leave. Sometimes, God uses the very place you feel overlooked to call you to greater things! Ben really held on to the belief that if we stay faithful to the little things, God will entrust us with much.
And that changed everything!
Of course, clarity and the right strategy play a key role in helping you land the job you love — and in figuring out how to get promoted right where you are. Feel free to book a call with us so you can get started!
