promotion

[Anonymous]

I've been at this job for two years (about 15 years total industry experience). My boss talked to me today about a promotion. She said that can happen in about a year in her opinion, but she was not ready to make any firm promises. First, I was happy that we are talking about it and "in about a year" sounds close enough and achievable... Then I thought about it more, and it seems like a dangling carrot that is meant to squeeze everything they can out of me for a year, and then move it and squeeze some more, only to then decide if I am valuable enough to promote...

How do I maintain my balance in the coming year and not overwork for a moving goalpost? How do I make them stick to one year from now?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, many companies want to see you doing the next job before you get the promotion/title/compensation. It’s just how it is. Keep your spirits high and your work product consistently strong.

Make it a point to understand the goals you have to meet in order to be promoted; these should be tangible / quantifiable. At least quarterly, make sure you are bringing them up to your manager (what you’ve achieved and how you can get exposure/experience in anything else that you’re missing from the initial goal list, or anything else that will help boost your case for promotion next cycle).

[Anonymous]

Thank you. Good advice.