Anonymous
Post 04/28/2013 22:09     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
Perches the final layer ahead of you is too busy protecting themselves to promote you?
They could always come up with an additional step up level for you or rotate you around for further development. That's just good managing.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 20:33     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
being self defeating when I look at other opportunities by talking the other companies down in my head. X company is too small, y is too unstable, z has a reputation for high turnover.

Thanks for the feedback. Please continue. I really appreciate what others think.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 20:24     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
As far as settling, I mean't that I realize that I paid under market but my level seems laughable given the type of work that I do. Two years ago I took on a lot more responsibility and still no promotion. They have been great about letting me pursue opportunities for growth just not the money and title to go along with it. I love my actual day to day work/ people I work with. The thing that makes me mad is that I'm pretty sure if I had another job in hand that they would again match it and tell me how wonderful I am. I do work long hours and even weekends too at times. I do love though not having a long commute so that I can be home by 7:00 to review homework. My kids are close to straight A's but they are not gifted. I have to work very hard with them to keep them there. I have max time off and don't use it much. Maybe I should start looking very selectivity. I am wondering though if I am
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 11:45     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
Anonymous wrote:

Thanks so much for your feedback. I can't go higher in the organization. I work directly for the highest level folks. 'I thought I was a shoe in for a promotion when I took a job in the company 4 years ago where the prior person was several levels ahead of me moved on. During my first review, I questioned why I wasn't promoted as everyone told me that I performed much better than he did. I was told that my reviews were better than his. I mention once a year that I feel that I am performing one level above my current one and my boss doesn't argue with me on that point. I've never threatened to leave except the one time 10 years ago when I had the other offer- and I really thought I was leaving then. I've always been the person with good skills but not enough self confidence.
I've known for awhile that I was settling but now with the economy picking up I really feel taken advantage of though. How would you handle though if leaving wasn't a good option now due to lack of opportunities close by coupled with having young kids? It is nice to not have to deal with much traffic. There were two opportunities that I turned down "verbally" (recommended by a friend) one because the company has high turnover the other because the company is unstable. I honestly don't know if my company would do anything for me unless I had an offer in hand. I've been an apple polisher for 20 years my whole career is at that company.


You sound like one of those people who has carved out a comfortable role you know how to do well but you lack a lot of drive to move on because what you have now is a known quantity / low risk / comfortable. I've seen and met a lot of people like you... Not saying its "bad", I think its very natural to find something you like and do well and just settle in for a fairly predictable day to day. Unfortunately, I've never seen anyone get promoted doing that. Bottom line is, the firm you work for now has clearly made a decision that the role you are in is fine for them - and your staying there for years without a promotion tells them its really fine for you too. And in truth, I think you are genuinely ok with it. You aren't willing to look for a new role by your own admission....

Things like "leaving now isnt a good option due to lack of opportunities"... feel like a cop out / poor excuse. How do you know unless you look? I've got friends who have moved from DC to flipping Bangkok with 2 kids under 2 because the right opportunity came up with the right firm.

Dont know what else to suggest. You want a promotion, you need to be willing to make things happen. Being an apple polisher aint gonna do it.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 11:30     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
+100 on previous post. Might as well close the thread on this one.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 08:12     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion



Thanks so much for your feedback. I can't go higher in the organization. I work directly for the highest level folks. 'I thought I was a shoe in for a promotion when I took a job in the company 4 years ago where the prior person was several levels ahead of me moved on. During my first review, I questioned why I wasn't promoted as everyone told me that I performed much better than he did. I was told that my reviews were better than his. I mention once a year that I feel that I am performing one level above my current one and my boss doesn't argue with me on that point. I've never threatened to leave except the one time 10 years ago when I had the other offer- and I really thought I was leaving then. I've always been the person with good skills but not enough self confidence.
I've known for awhile that I was settling but now with the economy picking up I really feel taken advantage of though. How would you handle though if leaving wasn't a good option now due to lack of opportunities close by coupled with having young kids? It is nice to not have to deal with much traffic. There were two opportunities that I turned down "verbally" (recommended by a friend) one because the company has high turnover the other because the company is unstable. I honestly don't know if my company would do anything for me unless I had an offer in hand. I've been an apple polisher for 20 years my whole career is at that company.


I think you have your answer.

1. You won't leave. Been there 20 years. Want flexibility, good commute, etc. No other opportunies will provide that, and they know it.
2. You are really good at your job. That's where they want you.
3. You already work for the highest level people. For whatever reason, you are not "highest level" material. You have gone as high as you can go.
4. You really want flexibility; generally promotions mean more work and more responsbility and you are probably signalling that you don't want that.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 06:44     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
By other opportunities I mean friends recommended that I apply for positions that I didn't.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 06:41     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
Anonymous wrote:Who knows the reason... (I'd argue who cares why)? Asking for it for 5 years and not getting it just proves they don't need to give it to you. Also, how do you ask? There's a difference between "I'd like a promotion this year. I think I'm ready" and "I'm clearly performing at the next level. My expectations are that'll ill be promoted this year, I want to work out a specific development plan to get there with you, and lets make sure we have Mrs. Hugecock's sign off as well".

When I took my last role I told my then boss my expectation was promotion within 6 months and if that didn't happen I'd probably leave the firm because it was clear to me I was performing at that level. Six months later I got promoted. Then, 3 months after that I went to my executive leadership and told him that I didn't see runway to the next level in my current role because I'd already recieved the highest possible ratings one can in this role. He agreed, and committed to expanding my role and giving me more staff. Now, two months after that, we are talking about putting me into a role that's typically one level higher than the one I'm in. No immediate promotion (admittedly two in 6 mo would raise eyebrows) but obviously a step in that direction.

Bottom line, you have to be a little bold and firm in your asks. My threat to leave was genuine. If I were you, I'd just leave that company but if not I'd ask for clear feedback on why not. Any answer that has nothing to do with your performance is unacceptable. "It's not in the budget", "we don't have head ount approvals" are all bullshit type excuses that can be resolved with sufficiently senior involvement.

To quote that god fucking awful book: lean in bitch!



Thanks so much for your feedback. I can't go higher in the organization. I work directly for the highest level folks. 'I thought I was a shoe in for a promotion when I took a job in the company 4 years ago where the prior person was several levels ahead of me moved on. During my first review, I questioned why I wasn't promoted as everyone told me that I performed much better than he did. I was told that my reviews were better than his. I mention once a year that I feel that I am performing one level above my current one and my boss doesn't argue with me on that point. I've never threatened to leave except the one time 10 years ago when I had the other offer- and I really thought I was leaving then. I've always been the person with good skills but not enough self confidence.
I've known for awhile that I was settling but now with the economy picking up I really feel taken advantage of though. How would you handle though if leaving wasn't a good option now due to lack of opportunities close by coupled with having young kids? It is nice to not have to deal with much traffic. There were two opportunities that I turned down "verbally" (recommended by a friend) one because the company has high turnover the other because the company is unstable. I honestly don't know if my company would do anything for me unless I had an offer in hand. I've been an apple polisher for 20 years my whole career is at that company.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 05:51     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
Who knows the reason... (I'd argue who cares why)? Asking for it for 5 years and not getting it just proves they don't need to give it to you. Also, how do you ask? There's a difference between "I'd like a promotion this year. I think I'm ready" and "I'm clearly performing at the next level. My expectations are that'll ill be promoted this year, I want to work out a specific development plan to get there with you, and lets make sure we have Mrs. Hugecock's sign off as well".

When I took my last role I told my then boss my expectation was promotion within 6 months and if that didn't happen I'd probably leave the firm because it was clear to me I was performing at that level. Six months later I got promoted. Then, 3 months after that I went to my executive leadership and told him that I didn't see runway to the next level in my current role because I'd already recieved the highest possible ratings one can in this role. He agreed, and committed to expanding my role and giving me more staff. Now, two months after that, we are talking about putting me into a role that's typically one level higher than the one I'm in. No immediate promotion (admittedly two in 6 mo would raise eyebrows) but obviously a step in that direction.

Bottom line, you have to be a little bold and firm in your asks. My threat to leave was genuine. If I were you, I'd just leave that company but if not I'd ask for clear feedback on why not. Any answer that has nothing to do with your performance is unacceptable. "It's not in the budget", "we don't have head ount approvals" are all bullshit type excuses that can be resolved with sufficiently senior involvement.

To quote that god fucking awful book: lean in bitch!

Anonymous
Post 04/26/2013 02:25     Subject: Continually Overlooked For Promotion
I have two kids and a job very close to home in the burbs. I have many,many years of experience working for a single large company and report to the organizational head. I continually get good reviews and work long hours but haven't been promoted in a long time close to 10 years. I am in the accounting/finance area with a masters and have been a manager for quite a while but don't have the title. I have talked repeatedly with my management (once a year for the past 4 to 5 years) about this and there is always an excuse for why I am not promoted. I see others in the organization in other groups being promoted to levels above me some without degrees.

Anyone in HR/management willing to shed some light on this? If the company knows that I am a hard worker but low flight risk due to my personal situation with my kids could that explain why I don't get promoted?

Also, about 10 years ago I was feeling bad about my situation and I did get a job offering 50รท more than what I was making at the time. My current company gave me what seemed like a good opportunity at the time and matched the salary.

I haven't been on an interview since.