I’m currently a senior on my team and I wanted get additional perspective on an issue I’m having.

Anonymous

August 26,2022 at 4:47PM UTC

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I’m currently a senior on my team and I wanted get additional perspective on an issue I’m having. So during our one on one meetings my manager has suggested that I may be able to move to the next level in my career path, which is basically a team lead. I’ve basically been performing the team lead duties for the past 2 years. But when it’s annual review time- I apparently still don’t qualify. Earlier this year I met with my manager and my director (individually) to understand why I still don’t qualify. Neither one had a good reason; nothing substantial; no hard feedback. Suggested I look at the job description to ensure I meet all qualifications. I reviewed it and of course I qualify. Would you stay in the role or is it time to start looking?

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AnonymousAugust 26,2022 at 5:00PM UTC
Start looking, and when you do get a position elsewhere, use it as a bargaining chip to see if they can give u the role you deserve along with the pay bump.
AnonymousAugust 26,2022 at 5:13PM UTC
I would make the definitive case first. Outline it in writing in bullet points for each qualification listed in the job description list your qualification, examples of how you use that qualification and success examples.
Cover each one and then list all the additional qualifications you bring to your position and how many years you have demonstrated expert knowledge in each.
Once completed set meetings to review this and copy or invite HR to attend as well.
Obviously your leadership is not going to support your career rise without your fight and you driving a move towards promotion.
Vanda LeeAugust 31,2022 at 1:32PM UTC
Excellent advice!
AnonymousAugust 26,2022 at 5:21PM UTC
Start looking elsewhere. They either don’t want to advance you because you are too good in your current role or they don’t value your work.
AnonymousAugust 26,2022 at 6:45PM UTC
I always encourage looking at what's out there and having an offer to leverage. You may find something amazing or confirmation that your current organization is superior.
Kristie WhiteAugust 26,2022 at 6:53PM UTC
There is something going on behind the scene that they will not or cannot reveal. They dodged your question when you asked for an explanation and your review finds no valid reason. The reason likely has nothing to do with your job performance but if subjective and perhaps discriminatory (I. E., appearance, age, difficulty replacing you at current market rates, people skills, etc.) And if they are blocking your career now, there won’t be help in the future until you get past these managers. I would look for that promotion elsewhere.
AnonymousAugust 26,2022 at 6:57PM UTC
Maybe ensure to formally document those discussions about your career goals (sounds like you are already doing that)
apply for positions that will offer you the lead and align with your career goals.
on a personal note, over the course of the pandemic I applied for a role on my team to get a promotion to a senior level after meeting qualifications. My manager wasn’t able to do it for me so I applied to another job and got the promotion to a lead position.
wish you luck!!
JJAugust 27,2022 at 3:52PM UTC
Start looking.
AnonymousAugust 27,2022 at 10:15PM UTC
Start looking and brush up your resume. I was promised a promotion and it never happened. It's one thing if you weren't qualified or there was a corporate freeze but another when there isn't anything tangible.
While leading groups, I wanted to have my staff succeed but some leaders don't. By you doing their work, they are getting the recognition and as soon as you are rewarded, watch out in some companies.
Don't quit but start looking. You can use this time with a regular paycheck to find other opportunities in the company or to add skills to your resume. During my last few months at my former company, I took on extra responsibilities that I knew would enhance my resume and future career. It's helped and now while looking, I'm able to have examples of what I did beyond my requirements to help the company succeed. Good luck!
AnonymousAugust 28,2022 at 12:27AM UTC
Yes, I have been in that position myself and have offered feedback to colleagues and my directs in this same position.
Ask for a 360 review so that you can have balanced feedback.
Every situation was about soft skills, ability to seek/receive constructive feedback, coachability. At a lead level it is 50% technical skill and 50% relationships. Perhaps your relationships with others (aka soft skills) are worth a closer look.
oh and— it won’t help you to gather feedback in an echo chamber. That goes for peers and fairgodboss forums.
AnonymousAugust 28,2022 at 12:33AM UTC
That all depends. What kind of constructive feedback have you received? Not talking about the good stuff. Do you know the areas where you are not strong and/or lack confidence?
For example, I wasn’t good at presentations. I didn’t feel confident and it was an area that I had to improve. When I got better, I was promoted.
AnonymousAugust 28,2022 at 3:42AM UTC
I’d say that there is no harm in taking a two-pronged approach:
1)Start quietly looking— it maximizes your options.
2)Talk one-on-one with both your manager and your director. Thank them for suggesting that you look at the team lead job description, briefly explain why you feel you qualify, and ask them for specific feedback on whether there are other areas in which they feel you need improvement. Hopefully, they’ll be candid and provide suggestions to help you advance.
If no suggestions are provided, you might want to ask point blank what can be done as you seem to meet the required credentials.
And if the point blank approach doesn’t bear fruit, yes— you should be looking for a new position.
Yolanda SouthAugust 31,2022 at 2:43PM UTC
I had this happen earlier in career - I was actually doing a supervisory position as filling in while supervisor was out on maternity leave. When it came time to apply for own supervisor role they did not consider that as experience. Go back to your manager and ask specifically what qualification you are missing.