My boss just told me that they are considering me for a role with bigger responsibilities.

7 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 21,2023 at 3:00AM UTC

   Be very specific as to what you would love to do as your next step and how this opportunity, while very compelling, does not fit your goals.

   Also lead with clarity and specifics so he has a chance to understand your goals.

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 21,2023 at 6:11AM UTC

   So why, specifically, are you not interested in this potential new position?

   Is it because you don't currently have the skills to support that or is it because you're not interested in the scope of that new role?

   If it's that you don't currently have the skills - but would like to learn - I would recommend you frame your conversation with your boss around that. Tell him you are excited that he is considering you for the position but do not have X and Y and Z that is needed to be successful in that role but you are very interested in learning those skills and ask him to layout what the plan would be to bring you up to speed.

   Many companies give much more leeway to internal candidates with regards to transitioning them into a new position. You may not have those exact skills but you already know the organization, may know specific systems or processes that it would take them longer to train an external candidate on.

   If you truly have no interest in learning what is needed for the new position, tell your boss that it means a lot to you that he would consider you for that position but that that is not the direction you want to grow your career. Tell him what you WOULD like to do in the future (this should be an ongoing conversation in your one on ones) and ask him what you need to learn to make THAT happen.

   GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

3. AnonymousOctober 23,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

   Excellent advice.

4. Amy GrimshawOctober 22,2023 at 2:38PM UTC

   Tell them for personal reasons you can’t take that kind of responsibility right now, but if you refuse a promotion you may never get the chance again

5. AnonymousOctober 23,2023 at 4:51PM UTC

   Are you sure you don't? Do they see something in you, some potential, that you don't? Is this something you could grow into? I don't think you should shut this down right away without exploring a little further. Unless you are truly not interested in the role itself. Once upon a time, I bid on a position and over thought it, without some outside influence and withdrew my application because I didn't think I had the skillset. My employer at that time was already working to figure out how to make it work and make me successful. 10 years later I kick myself for not pursuing it as it would have been a great opportunity for me.

6. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 4:22PM UTC

   Yes! Exactly! I took a technical manager role before, hesitant because of my skills. I realized that yes, the team I was managing did have more technical skills than me, however they didn't have any project management or soft skills whatsoever. It was a great experience for me because I was able to really help the team succeed and achieve their goals, and they were able to help me polish my technical skills. Managing/Teaching goes both ways! Now I'm very happy that I took the position and consider myself a subject matter expert.

7. AnonymousOctober 23,2023 at 5:17PM UTC

   You sit him down and let him know just that. If it is something that you see as another step on your career path ask him to allow you the training that is needed to excel before moving you into that role. Stretch goals often make incredible careers happen!