I left a job almost 2 years ago due to not loving the environment - work and people.

25 Comments

1. Antonia CalzettiJune 16,2022 at 1:42PM UTC

   Have you had a transparent conversation with your direct one up asking about it?

2. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 2:48PM UTC

   Do you mean who my boss reports to?

3. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 1:45PM UTC

   This certainly can be frustrating. Does your department have a competency model that specifically lays out what the expectations of that role are? Have you done a GAPS analysis with your manager? If the answer is no, I would certainly be proactive and put together examples of the level of work you are doing and ask for clear expectations for your next promotion level. Just comparing yourself to other similar employees may not be enough. What could you be missing that would help you both get promoted and aid in your overall development? If your company does not use these tools, there are many online resources to help you put this together. Additionally, make sure you highlight all the great things you do! :) This is the time to toot your own horn.

4. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 2:47PM UTC

   We have gone through this and the expectations are clear and have been met. He has the documentation he needs.

   I am concerned (since he is a new manager), that he doesn't know how to push for these promotions. I am switching groups (due to my great performance) so maybe my new manager will push for my promotion more.

   One thing I do need to work on is tooting my own horn! I am very reserved in that sense, which I am realizing gets me nowhere!

5. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 2:21PM UTC

   If I were in your situation I would request specifics from your supervisor as to what the hold up is. You have to dive deep because something is blocking your advancement.

6. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 2:44PM UTC

   I attempted this conversation with him and he said it is in his bosses hands at this point and sometimes the company has "promotion freezes". However, someone else in the group just got promoted.

7. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 5:06PM UTC

   Well someone is not advocating for your advancement and I think it's most likely your boss. If others are being promoted, he for some reason won't do the same for you. I don't think he wants to promote you so he's using the smoke & mirrors argument of vague reasons that his boss can't sign off on your advancement

8. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 3:47PM UTC

   You are probably right. I don't think he knows how to push on a promotion the right way as I was his first direct report.

9. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 2:44PM UTC

   i definitely understand that fear of leaving a job that you feel safe at. I’m currently in your old job position where the work and environment is mentally damaging me. If you love this new environment and work I’d communicate with your manager what might be the hold up and see what you can do to get there. If this starts affecting how you feel valued at work then it’s probably time to start looking. I wish you the best no matter what, we all deserve to work in a space where you can grow and feel valued.

10. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 3:03PM UTC

    Thank you! I hope you can get out of your negative work environment soon, it is NOT worth staying! Keep your head up!!

11. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 3:11PM UTC

    Remember, if you aren't squeaking, they aren't greasing! I learned later in life that those who got things, not only asked, but demanded such things. Good luck!

12. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 3:46PM UTC

    Thank you!

13. AnonymousJune 18,2022 at 11:31AM UTC

    Yeah that's definitely not the case everywhere. Did that at a Fortune 500 and got nowhere with it but empty promises.

14. Julie HumbirdJune 16,2022 at 3:12PM UTC

    This does seem like the product of your manager being under developed. I suggest starting this conversation with the new manager ASAP. Leaders that aren't working to develop their staff will retain those who do the bare minimum and lose the performers who know they do more.

    I'm always a fan of having an offer to leverage during these conversations.

15. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 3:45PM UTC

    I was my managers first direct report so that could definitely have something to do with it as well. The discussion with my new manager will start ASAP! Thanks for your input.

16. bethJune 18,2022 at 3:53PM UTC

    yes -- but if you use another job to leverage getting a promotion you have to be willing to walk away and take the job.

17. Maria MJune 16,2022 at 3:34PM UTC

    Been there.
    Unfortunately, there are very strict HR rules at my organization and not enough managers willing to challenge them. That translates into many overqualified people in unchallenging jobs and low morale. If your company is more flexible, go into your manager's office and present your case, respectfully. A good thing to slip in is how promoting you will benefit them. A common thread in all workplaces, company or organization, is that you are the only one you can count on. No one will do you any favors, and if you don't make waves, they are happy to continue stringing you along. If you show too much efficiency or responsibility, they will take advantage and try to keep you where you are.

18. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 3:45PM UTC

    I definitely feel like I am being strung along and being taken advantage of. I am always going above and beyond for the company but that is getting me no where.

19. Barb HansenJune 16,2022 at 4:18PM UTC

    Meet with your manager to discuss (and build) your roadmap to a promotion.

    In that meeting - tell your manager that you want a promotion to Senior Engineer in 6 months (or whatever timeline works for you). Ask your manager to help you build your plan to make that happen, you'll want ask these questions:
    -is your timeline for promotion realistic?
    -if yes, what do you need to do to ensure you get promoted
    -if no, what is the correct timeline?
    -who in the management team are responsible for approving a promotion?
    -are promotions based on experience, education, projects, outcomes, a combination of many things, are some promotions just random?
    -what do you need to do to get promoted and on what timeline?
    -should you be sending reports to other VPs in your reporting chain to show your value?
    -what types of high-visibility project can you be assigned to?
    -are they any cross-department projects/teams/committees that you should volunteer for?
    -are there budgetary issues (if yes, who determines if the promotion budgets get expanded or cut)
    -is there a limit of promotions per quarter or per year? (if yes, who determines who gets promoted each quarter/each year)

    Talk is cheap, and some managers will tell you what you want to hear to keep you "happy" (in the short term).

    So take their talk ("you should be promoted" and/or "you will be promoted soon") and create a timeline/project plan for your promotion. Once your promotion project plan is created, you'll be able to track "what they say" vs "what your and your manager's plan created for your promotion"

    If their words are different that their actions, you'll then be able to make the decision if you need to leave your current company to get the title and salary that you deserve.

20. Kimberley Ferretti HammettJune 16,2022 at 7:11PM UTC

    This!
    Yes, beautifully said! I have nothing to add except my personal commentary as a motivator for you Sally:

    I have found myself in this situation often and learned at my last role the importance of truly advocating for myself. I depended SO much on the many people telling me how excellent I was and how qualified I was for higher positions to advocate for me or give that to me and it's just not realistic or very effective. Think about it, how many times have you thought someone was outperforming others at their job and that alone got them there? It's great if someone sticks their hand out for you but don't expect it. You get a lot more when you stick yours out for you and you deserve that!
    ok actually I will add one piece to this: *who in the management team are responsible for approving a promotion?* - A lot of managers are in the business of managing the outcomes of a team and don't make big moves in succession planning. There's a good chance promoting you means persuading someone above them to make the move instead of letting natural flow happen (promotions based on availability and seniority etc). In addition to this question, offer your help in convincing that decision maker as to why this is a good move. One of my best tricks to convincing others to do something is offering my help to do it. Make it easier for them to say yes!

    Best of luck!

21. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 3:43PM UTC

    Thank you both for your input! The timeline that we discussed in September was WITHIN 6 months from then - we are now at 8 months. I do think I need to understand the promotion process better so thank you for providing specific questions I can ask. I have tried asking but they don't offer up much information so having these specifics will help lead the conversation better.

    I am definitely learning that I need to embellish my work and be a self advocate as no one else is going to do it for me - like you said Kimmie, it doesn't matter how many people are saying I am doing an excellent job. It all comes down to my moves and what I can do to push this along.

    Thank you for the input!!

22. AyianJune 17,2022 at 12:58PM UTC

    Are you perhaps suffering from succeeding so well that they don't want to promote you out of the position? I have a friend stuck in that position and has been for years.

23. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 3:38PM UTC

    Good question but that is not the case. The promotion is the same job, just additional/more difficult work (which I am already doing the work, just not being compensated).

24. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 8:30PM UTC

    Do you have a mentor in leadership? If you do, I would have keep an ongoing dialogue for 2 yrs to prepare for any leadership bids coming out. That mentor could serve as your cheer leader and put in a good word for you when they deliberate on who to select. You don’t know how often the same compliments you receive are given to others. It could be a strategy to keep morale up and seems to be working since you are happy there. Sometimes there are instances where employees become too good to promote, where it is difficult to replicate their results to where leadership may feel if they take you out of your position and put you in leadership can leave a dent or void they don’t want to look elsewhere to fill. Focus more on your connections to leadership. Start building an actual rapport where you can have at least 1 mentor who can be your conduit and cheerleader. That could be the missing link in your situation, good luck and keep shining, you can even schedule a 1 on 1 with your mentor and ask hey why do you think I’m not selected for lesdership yet and perhaps you can get a candid answer

25. JJJune 19,2022 at 1:05AM UTC

    You need to start asking what the hold up is, as there is definitely a missing piece.