Hello Fairy Godboss community! I’ve been with a growing (like significant growth) healthcare company for 5.5 years and they’ve been in business 8 years. I’ve been in a Director position the entire time (leading initiatives and in charge of projects) and scored well on every evaluation. I am also the longest running person in my position company-wide. 2 months ago, My boss told me “they didn’t have the money for a Regional Director” as we are growing in locations. But the position was posted 3 days later online so I applied through the online HR system. I figured my boss would get with me when he “had the money & time,” when he was ready. I found out (by him) 2 weeks ago, they have already made an offer to a Regional Director, without even contacting or considering me. How long should I stick around? I feel so defeated like I’ll never get a chance to grow. I love this company and the team I work with on a daily basis but to be completely overlooked and not even considered has destroyed my confidence and willingness to work. ?

13 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 4,2024 at 5:51PM UTC

   It's a definite sign. It's up to you to stay put or not. At least you know where you stand.

2. AnonymousAugust 4,2024 at 8:23PM UTC

   How long should you stick around? As long as you’re comfortable with the status quo. Your boss has been very clear with you that they don’t see you as management material and are not interested in your professional growth and upward mobility with this org. I’d also feel overlooked and unenthusiastic despite loving the job. Don’t make your boss repeat this message again the next time a new opportunity presents itself. Time to go!

3. AnonymousAugust 4,2024 at 8:50PM UTC

   Sounds kinda fishy they wouldn’t consider you and you have succeeded in this company. I mean you would think your boss would talk with you about it. I’d be hurt too. Maybe this is a sign to take your great skills elsewhere. So sorry hope it gets better for you.

4. AnonymousAugust 4,2024 at 10:20PM UTC

   You didn’t reach Director position being mediocre, because you’re not! Time to gain your confidence back. ? Don’t forget how hard you work and how far you’ve come! If professional development and growth within the company is what you seek, and this company no longer can meet those needs, it’s not a bad idea to check out other options. Good luck moving forward!

5. AnonymousAugust 4,2024 at 10:20PM UTC

   Look for a better opportunities. Don't let their decision define you. Let it energize you to know your worth and move on. They truly don't care about anything other than the almighty dollar. Good luck!!

6. Jayne HildebrandAugust 5,2024 at 12:30PM UTC

   Before you move on to another organization, how about sitting down with your boss and asking about it.

   Ask how you might position yourself better to be ready and considered for the next opportunity. As a leader, I appreciate these types of conversations because it allows me to provide feedback and help folks on my team that do have the drive to advance.

7. AnonymousAugust 5,2024 at 12:44PM UTC

   Thanks, Jayne. OP here. I did ask him about it. He said he felt I wouldn’t be a good fit (again without even an interview and has forgotten my past 15 years experience before I started with them) & sees me in a difft role in “possibly about 2 years down the road.”

8. AnonymousAugust 5,2024 at 1:37PM UTC

   I'm sorry this happened to you. Clearly you see a path for yourself that wasn't opened. That, and there was some secrecy too- which can be a shock and doesn't make one feel good about communication and trust.

   Feel your feelings, but try not to let it gut you. Remember, startups LOVE to innovate and grow. A New employee in a new region sounds good to them. Find out how you can be an asset to the company's vision (overall vision and vision for this year). Don't minimize the fact that you love the company and people. That's gold for a lot of folks. Sounds like it's time to enhance a promotion campaign for yourself. Start with open communication and not taking this situation personally. Do what you can to get on folks' radar.

   If you believe you are capable of being a Regional Manager, maintain experience//projects or a title to reflect that and shop around. (this will help you internally and externally).

   This behavior seems to occur a lot in companies- and they feel justified. Hiring from outside (either to supplement perceived existing talent or because they need you in the job you're in---or they don't see you in the role they want).

   I'd suggest you play a few angles here. 1. Have the conversation with your boss about the position, your interest, what they were looking for, how you could grow into that position. If worthwhile, have a similar conversation with another leader (who you're close with or HR, etc.- mainly about the process for promotion). 2. Start quiet quitting a bit. Trends suggest that stellar employees tend to get pigeon-holed in those jobs because they'd be too expensive to replace. You know what you're good at, so do that and carve out some time to network- in and outside the company--regardless of rank. Influence resides in all places. 3. Dust off your resume and start looking. 4. patience. If you're in a good place personally, and the company is experiencing growth--and you keep networking- perhaps there will be a role for you.

   I've worked in startups and it's pretty clear who gets promoted - It's not the ones who work hard. It's the ones who network/are useful to leadership. Startups bring in more people for the growth mindset.

   On a side note, I was at a company where I was passed up for promotion and the person they hired was a carbon copy of me. On the one hand, I was insulted. On the other hand, I took it as an opportunity to observe what they were looking for and how the new hire handled it. In this situation, it was a cautionary tale. They chewed her up and spat her out- and she accepted it, burning her wick at both ends, because she wanted to impress them. We both ended up leaving around the same time. This may not happen to you, but it was just a tale that better things can open up even if they're not what we think.

   Good luck!

9. AnonymousAugust 5,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

   OP here. This was very helpful! Thank you!

10. KatAugust 5,2024 at 1:57PM UTC

    Your boss doesn't support your career growth, so he doesn't want to promote you. Don't buy into his vague promise of something two years down the road. Just because he doesn't see you in the role doesn't mean you're not qualified for a role. It's time to polish that resume and start looking now, both for internal and external opportunities. If they ask why you're looking, you can confidently say there's no way to grow at your current company/position.

11. AnonymousAugust 5,2024 at 3:59PM UTC

    It sounds like perhaps you do such a good job they don’t want you to move. Perhaps ask for a salary increase-

12. AnonymousAugust 6,2024 at 12:29AM UTC

    Unfortunately they don't recognize your growth potential. They want you to stay exactly where you are.

13. AnonymousAugust 6,2024 at 1:25PM UTC

    I am surprised so many commenters are advising you to sit down and make a plan for your well deserved career growth within the company. The company leaders were not forthright and were manipulative. I would not trust or invest my hope for growth and career satisfaction in that environment. They revealed their character and values which in this case may be to your benefit. I would start looking.