Quick background:
I have been in my role for about 2 years now and have been receiving good ratings throughout my mid year and year-end reviews (4 out of 5). I've stood out amongst my team members by contributing in different aspects and also am a line manager with some direct reports that are reporting to me.
I started at the bottom in this team and have risen two ranks above. My first promotion came within a year into the job and then the next promotion a year later. FYI it's now been 2 year since my last promotion (understandably since you climb up the ladder, it gets harder to be promoted and typically takes longer).
Additionally my manager is somewhat new to the role (being in the role in the recent 3 years only started off where I am in my role now and promoted to a manager - skipping a position).
Issue:
I have recently requested my manager for a promotion (after first checking with him whether there are any gaps or concerns with my performance in this role to which he has initially said none during our last 1-1 and recently in my year-end review, he has mentioned a small gap (non-showstopper after confirming and is more of a feedback than a gap).
The promotion request was not denied, but he was surprised that i am requesting for a promotion and feels that I need to gain more recognition in my current role to be considered for promotion and he does not know the responsibilities needed for the position that i am after (which is 1 level/rank below his position).
He cited that he needs to check with his line manager to check and know what that position entails as in this region, no one has been to such a role/position before (but there are others in other regions across the globe).
My concerns:
I'm concerned that what i have done in the past 2 years have not been heading to the next level/position that i initially thought i was and it is concerning that my boss is surprised i requested for a promotion. but what's more surprising is that he does not even know what responsibilities it entails and whether i am qualified for a promotion, other than the fact that I need to gain more recognition (from upper management) for my work (similar to a college who has recently promoted to my current role).
However, he did mention that the opportunity does need to present itself before i can gain recognition...to me, recognition is very subjective - you can do a great job but nobody recognises it and obviously it depends on opportunity as well..so this concerns me greatly that to get a promotion, i would probably need to depend on...luck?
What would you do if you were in my position?
Looking to hear your thoughts and advise on this matter. Thanks guys :)