I've been with my current company for 25 years and have reached senior level for my position.

12 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 4:27PM UTC

   What do you want to do? Is there a promotion you are looking for? What are you doing to ensure a promotion? You have been there for 25 years - how many promotions have you received during that time? These days, I feel like a lot of hiring managers view longevity in one company the same as staying <one year at each company. I know, makes no sense.

2. AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 5:47PM UTC

   I have been with my company for 22 years and have been promoted several times. Currently I have a boss who came from the outside and also has this view of long tenured employees that somehow we lack something

   I asked for very specific feedback as to what I need to do. He couldn't come with much, it was generic. I made it a point to overdeliver and other people started recognizing me for that. Don't let these comments get to you, ask for measurable goals. Also, start looking around. It is more difficult to find a job, but not impossible.

3. AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 7:23PM UTC

   Unpromotable does not mean you aren't valuable. In fact, it can easily mean you are too valuable where you are (i.e., indispensable and too hard to replace). If can also mean you haven't proven to them you have leadership skills to be put in a lead or management position. Ask them what was meant by the comment, and what you would have to do differently to be considered in the future. Their answer could let you know whether you need to stay and work on it or search outside for leadership positions.

4. AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 9:16PM UTC

   You can do a good job as noted but not be in a place where you are promotable. In most LDR's there are people who can be promoted in 1 year, 2 years or are at the top of where they can go. Does not mean they are bad or incompetent, just not promotable to the next level. Many people feel they belong a level or 2 above where they are but realistically not everyone is in a position to move up. If you feel you are, go to HR with your reasoning and ask where you are in the LDR process. They should talk to you about where you are and why. Good luck.

5. AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 5:16PM UTC

   LDR means?

6. AnonymousSeptember 30,2023 at 5:45PM UTC

   Unlike others on this thread, I am more pessimistic about the message that you received. Had your new director wanted to make you feel secure in your role, you would have received acknowledgment of your value to the company and your strong performance over time.

   The acquiescence of your director’s boss doesn’t strike me as a good sign either, absent an acknowledgment of of your value.

   Regardless, I’d say that you deserve an explanation of what “unpromotable” means with respect to your assignments and compensation. You might want to start with HR, as it might help to have HR facilitate a conversation between you and your new director on this subject.

   Forewarned is fore-armed. If possible, I suggest that you reach out to those who were labeled “unpromotable” and subsequently left the company. What was their experience after being deemed “unpromotable” and why did they decide to move on? If you can’t reach these people, perhaps consult those at your company who worked with them.

   Finally, keep an eye on your company’s financial performance and organizational plans. If financial performance deteriorates or reorganization takes place, those tagged “unpromotable” could be designated for downsizing.

7. AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 1:13PM UTC

   I have a lot of questions because your post is a bit vague-

   Have you sat down with the new director and asked them why they called you unpromotable? If not, that’s where I’d start and ask them for specific examples of why they feel that way. And how long was this new director in role before they said that? Did they promote to that role from within or are they new to your company? It’s hard to give advice without more detail.

   You also mentioned that her boss is aware and she’s said this to others. It sounds like she may be doing her bosses dirty work? He may give you compliments but also be a bad leader. In 25 years nobody is perfect and everyone deserves feedback on ways to improve somewhere. Feedback can be a gift.

   I’d set up a 1/1 with her to ask for direct feedback on yourself. Be open to hearing constructive criticism and then decide your next step.

8. AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 5:06PM UTC

   Do you want to be promoted? After 25 years at one company frankly does it matter? If it does contact their competition and move there and take your expertise with you...or find another employer who won't insult you and your experience.

   A final question...did you ask for some details about the why that comment was made? No matter if you stay or go there is color behind the opinion and you should find out what that is...worst case you will learn about how others perceive you.

9. misskelleypOctober 1,2023 at 6:11PM UTC

   WHY are you unpromotable? That is going to be key to us being able to get you actionable advice.

10. AnonymousOctober 1,2023 at 9:41PM UTC

    As others have commented, it would be helpful to understand why your manager stated you are “unpromotable”. I understand that would be frustrating to hear. It could be you’re at the top of the possible positions for your job, and the only way to be promoted is for you to move into a different role or department with more opportunities? A good discussion with your manager would help to understand the possibilities, and if they’re not willing to have that conversation, looking to a different department, HR or company for opportunities may be the best way to grow mid career.

11. maria roseOctober 1,2023 at 10:51PM UTC

    What it sounds like is that this new director has been brought in to revamp the company’s existing operations and in the process is evaluating which roles are not utilizing the person in that position as useful to promote development of that role. It might mean that the role you have is receiving the maximum amount of pay rate —hence no promotion to anything higher in pay rate increases if you remain in that position. They can’t fire you but if they are restructuring the company, you are probably facing change to your job position if you expect to continue working and expect to receive pay increases and promotions. Your immediate boss ( supervisor) is probably also receiving the same kind information for their position too. You can wait and see if you can adjust to the changes before deciding on whether you want to move forward or leave the company.

12. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 12:24AM UTC

    I quickly advanced multiple levels when I first joined my company 20 years ago. I've had the same niche position for 15 years now. There is nowhere else to go for me unless I move to a different city, which I'm not interested in doing. I'm effectively unpromotable, but I'm happy enough with where I am and what I'm doing.