I’ve been a legal admin assistant at my law firm for 6+ years. I have a paralegal certification and a Bachelor’s from NYU, yet I was passed over for a promotion while someone with just one year of experience (no certification or degree) was hired. I feel undervalued and unsure of what to do next. Is it time to look elsewhere? What steps should I take to advance my career now? I’m struggling financially and emotionally after this rejection – Maria
A. That stinks. Being passed over for a promotion when you’re qualified and have put in the time is deeply disappointing. I understand why you feel undervalued. 💔 Those feelings are valid. Let’s talk about where to go from here.
1. Clarify what happened 🔍
If you haven’t already, go back and ask your manager (respectfully) why you weren’t selected. You might say:
“I’m committed to growing in my career and would appreciate any feedback you can share about why I wasn’t chosen and what I’d need to demonstrate to be considered next time.”
This takes courage, but it also takes the guesswork out of it. Their answer will tell you if this is a place where you can grow or if it’s time to move on.
2. Make your aspirations known 📢
In many companies, good work isn’t enough. You need to be seen and sponsored. Talk to your manager and HR. Make your interest in becoming a paralegal explicit and seek their support. Ask:
“Do I have your support to advance into a paralegal role here? If so, great! Let’s talk about the next steps and timing.” And if the answer is “no”, then ask, What do I need to do to earn your support?”
3. Find a sponsor 🤝
Is there someone in your firm—more senior than your manager—who sees your work, believes in your potential, and has influence? That’s a potential sponsor. Ask them for a short coffee chat. Share your goals. Ask for their perspective and advice on how to navigate inside the company. And if the conversation goes well, ask if they’d be willing to support your development.
Your value is not determined by one firm’s decision. Organizations miss out on talent for many reasons: budget constraints, internal politics, or simply poor management judgment.
Have those tough conversations and ideally, you’re on the path to promotion. If not, polish up that resume, update your LinkedIn profile and amp up your networking.
You’re equipt to take your next step with confidence.
