Honestly, do I have a shot of getting this promotion?

[Anonymous]

There is an open manager position at my company and I will be competing with another internal candidate. The person who vacated the position has strongly urged me to apply, but i'm not sure if i even have a shot. The other internal candidate has 10 years at the company and is a manager in a parallel role. I have 5 years in a junior role to the open position. The other candidate has an MA and I am a few credits short of a BA. (I have been meaning to finish one class, but life and kids got in the way.) She has managed staff and i have managed interns. On paper she is clearly more credentialed.

However, I have essentially been doing this job for the past three years with stellar reviews. I've been promoted twice and I even created the procedures manual for our department. Anyone they hire would essentially be trained by me either on the job or through the manual I created. The other internal candidate is fine in her role, but has been known to make mistakes and can't handle the technical aspects of the position. She has also been known to display emotional problems. She is smart, a very nice person, and I like her; but it's no secret that if she is hired I will be doing 90% of her work for her.

I am wondering if I have any shot of getting the position or if i should just sit down. I want to apply but I'm afraid I won't get it because of my lack of a degree. I like my job but I know my feelings would sour if I had to work for this other person. Should I start applying for another job while going through the internal process? I have great skills and I'm not worried about finding another position. I need honest advice or a pep talk.

[Anonymous]

You can't get it if you don't apply. Absolutely apply for the position. If you don't get it, then sure, pursue other opportunities if you don't feel you could work for the other candidate.

Applying and not getting it, or not applying, you end up in the same position. But at least you know you tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't get it if you don't apply. Absolutely apply for the position. If you don't get it, then sure, pursue other opportunities if you don't feel you could work for the other candidate.

Applying and not getting it, or not applying, you end up in the same position. But at least you know you tried.

+1

[Anonymous]

Wayne Gretzky once said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take".

[Anonymous]

OMG. Go for it. Go!!

[Anonymous]

OP Here. Thanks for the pep talk. I think I needed outside, neutral encouragement.

It's been a while since I've stepped out of my comfort zone. If I am being honest, not applying would be an attempt at protecting my pride. I am also intimidated by the other candidate's resume, although not her as a person.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely apply. Even if you don't get it, you let management know that you are interested in advancing your career, and puts you on the radar for future. (Unless you are fabulously unqualified for the promotion, in which case you would be identified as being nuts, but that doesn't sound like the situation here.)

[Anonymous]

Apply there to give yourself a shot. It sounds like you have a great one! But also apply elsewhere to keep your options open, and who knows, maybe even give you some bargaining room.

[Anonymous]

You should definitely apply. If I was hiring I would be much more influenced by your experience than your degree (or lack of one).

Go for it! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. Once you are employed at a company, degrees or lack thereof are less important than performance.