Anonymous
Post 02/11/2016 17:08     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Nice job, OP! Sometimes all it takes is asking the question.
Anonymous
Post 02/11/2016 17:01     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
An update!

I had my review earlier this week, and asked what it would take to get promoted. He answered that he just needed to put the paperwork in, that he'd been concentrating on getting me high merit increased (true), but that it was well deserved and I was doing that level work, and he'd work on it immediately.

Thanks for convincing me to ask about it!
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:52     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know I can't be promoted out of this position while I'm a trailing spouse, but I can certainly be bumped up a level.


How does being a "trailing spouse" prevent promotion? Do you and your husband work for the same company/agency?


My current position allows telework. All managerial or most other ic positions would not.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:50     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:I know I can't be promoted out of this position while I'm a trailing spouse, but I can certainly be bumped up a level.


How does being a "trailing spouse" prevent promotion? Do you and your husband work for the same company/agency?
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:39     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think you need to bring this up, and before your next review so your next review can be spent talking about the progress you've made towards a promotion or what you still need to do. Or hell, it could even be your promotion conversation, who knows.
But I think you need to make it clear that you want to move up- your manager could think that because you are a trailing spouse that you are just there because it's convenient and you aren't really interested in advancement.


My next review is in the next few weeks, so I think it might be best to wait.

I've been at this company since before I was married, but there was a definite shift from talking about my future once I was married (and again once I became pregnant). I know I can't be promoted out of this position while I'm a trailing spouse, but I can certainly be bumped up a level.

Okay good, so this is the perfect time to get your ducks in a row to have this conversation with your manager in a few weeks. And while mentioning your desire for a title change (in terms of 'what skills do I need to have/competencies do I need to show to be promoted to Senior X) don't talk yourself out of a salary bump either.


No, I won't. I just know that salaries were frozen for a while (although that was probably five years ago now) and I want to make it clear that's not what this is about. Especially because I have gotten regular, sometimes large, pay raises.

I understand. If they give you any pushback you can make it clear that it's not about salary, and that 'concession' may get you want you want.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:33     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think you need to bring this up, and before your next review so your next review can be spent talking about the progress you've made towards a promotion or what you still need to do. Or hell, it could even be your promotion conversation, who knows.
But I think you need to make it clear that you want to move up- your manager could think that because you are a trailing spouse that you are just there because it's convenient and you aren't really interested in advancement.


My next review is in the next few weeks, so I think it might be best to wait.

I've been at this company since before I was married, but there was a definite shift from talking about my future once I was married (and again once I became pregnant). I know I can't be promoted out of this position while I'm a trailing spouse, but I can certainly be bumped up a level.

Okay good, so this is the perfect time to get your ducks in a row to have this conversation with your manager in a few weeks. And while mentioning your desire for a title change (in terms of 'what skills do I need to have/competencies do I need to show to be promoted to Senior X) don't talk yourself out of a salary bump either.


No, I won't. I just know that salaries were frozen for a while (although that was probably five years ago now) and I want to make it clear that's not what this is about. Especially because I have gotten regular, sometimes large, pay raises.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:27     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think you need to bring this up, and before your next review so your next review can be spent talking about the progress you've made towards a promotion or what you still need to do. Or hell, it could even be your promotion conversation, who knows.
But I think you need to make it clear that you want to move up- your manager could think that because you are a trailing spouse that you are just there because it's convenient and you aren't really interested in advancement.


My next review is in the next few weeks, so I think it might be best to wait.

I've been at this company since before I was married, but there was a definite shift from talking about my future once I was married (and again once I became pregnant). I know I can't be promoted out of this position while I'm a trailing spouse, but I can certainly be bumped up a level.

Okay good, so this is the perfect time to get your ducks in a row to have this conversation with your manager in a few weeks. And while mentioning your desire for a title change (in terms of 'what skills do I need to have/competencies do I need to show to be promoted to Senior X) don't talk yourself out of a salary bump either.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:27     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:OP, my husband was in a very similar situation and fought HARD to get it and finally did. He was like, you, well qualified and educated but with a lower title than colleagues doing the same level of work. He lobbied twice for a promotion but was refused both times because of pay grade/classification bureaucracy. Eventually, a higher level person quit and he applied for the job. Had to go through 3 rounds of panel interviews with external candidates, but he did eventually get the promotion he should have gotten 2 years before.


That's what I'm worried about - that somehow my job is classified as a "2", while my coworker's is classified as a "3", say. I don't know how that's even possible (because he's a man?), and I don't think our bureaucracy is quite that bad, but...
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:22     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
OP, my husband was in a very similar situation and fought HARD to get it and finally did. He was like, you, well qualified and educated but with a lower title than colleagues doing the same level of work. He lobbied twice for a promotion but was refused both times because of pay grade/classification bureaucracy. Eventually, a higher level person quit and he applied for the job. Had to go through 3 rounds of panel interviews with external candidates, but he did eventually get the promotion he should have gotten 2 years before.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:17     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:I think you need to bring this up, and before your next review so your next review can be spent talking about the progress you've made towards a promotion or what you still need to do. Or hell, it could even be your promotion conversation, who knows.
But I think you need to make it clear that you want to move up- your manager could think that because you are a trailing spouse that you are just there because it's convenient and you aren't really interested in advancement.


My next review is in the next few weeks, so I think it might be best to wait.

I've been at this company since before I was married, but there was a definite shift from talking about my future once I was married (and again once I became pregnant). I know I can't be promoted out of this position while I'm a trailing spouse, but I can certainly be bumped up a level.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:13     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
I think you need to bring this up, and before your next review so your next review can be spent talking about the progress you've made towards a promotion or what you still need to do. Or hell, it could even be your promotion conversation, who knows.
But I think you need to make it clear that you want to move up- your manager could think that because you are a trailing spouse that you are just there because it's convenient and you aren't really interested in advancement.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:10     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Also, too long at one level/company can hurt your resume these days. It may make you look like you don't have ambition or are ready for a challenge.

I left a company after 10 years. Within a year of new job, recruiters are calling me like crazy seeing if I want to make a switch.

Spice up your resume.


I'm a trailing spouse and a new job isn't an option. I work for a company in the DC area, but have followed DH around for the past 10 years. In our current location, there are no jobs.

Also, the other guy in my department has been with the company 20 years. This is a company that values loyalty, oddly.


Not promoting a good worker for years on end isn't loyalty.


LOL, I assumed it was obvious the loyalty is all on our end.

It has been bothering me a lot that one other woman in my department earned a masters degree at the same time I did, and no promotion for her either.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:09     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Also, too long at one level/company can hurt your resume these days. It may make you look like you don't have ambition or are ready for a challenge.

I left a company after 10 years. Within a year of new job, recruiters are calling me like crazy seeing if I want to make a switch.

Spice up your resume.


I'm a trailing spouse and a new job isn't an option. I work for a company in the DC area, but have followed DH around for the past 10 years. In our current location, there are no jobs.

Also, the other guy in my department has been with the company 20 years. This is a company that values loyalty, oddly.


Not promoting a good worker for years on end isn't loyalty.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:07     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
I assume that's an appropriate question during a performance review?
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2016 12:04     Subject: I don't think I'll ever get promoted
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm in the same boat. I could write pages on why it's bullshit and how it all happened but it doesn't matter (and I have asked, straight out, for a promotion or room for advancement and got nothing).

In the end, the only way to move up is to move on. Especially after years of you tolerating, in their eyes, a total lack of advancement. They are betting that you won't walk away so they aren't going to promote you. You will need to move on and get a new job somewhere else.


I'm a trailing spouse, for at least the next 10-12 years. A new job isn't an option right now.


Then ask your supervisor what it will take for you to be promoted!