Can I start a thread to discuss general ambition, chat rather than specific advice needed?

[StealthPolarBear]

I absolutely love my job, it inspires me. I've been doing it for about 5 years now and it wasn't a promotion when I got it so am ready for the next challenge. But I'm nervous about straying too far and as I work for a large organisation I'll stay internal if possible.
I havey boss's backing and she is getting me onto the right projects. I am keeping a log of "good stuff I've done", making sure it gets on my appraisals. I am reading round my area of specialism endlessly.
Is there anything more I could be doing?
Is anyone in a similar situation?
Why isn't there a relevant topic for just general work issues that aren't "employment" as such? :o

[StealthPolarBear]

Bump

[daisychain01]

Hi stealth, if you are seeking a promotion ime you will need to move sound, at least in my organisation. They just don't do in-role promotions because it's the job they are grading not the person.

Building up your skills and project portfolio is a good thing for getting a good end of year review, but it won't in itself guarantee anything more than a pat on the back from your current manager.

You mention you are " nervous about straying too far ". Sorry to break it to you, but if you don't enjoy change, you're going to find it difficult. Could you take some career coaching and plan your career so you target where you want to go next. Sometimes fear of the unknown holds us back

Have you read "Feel the Fear and Do it anyway" by Susan Jeffers. It was my bible and now I'm like Superwoman afraid of nothing. No only kidding, but it did help give some psychology around change, unknown and taking that leap of faith etc.

[daisychain01]

Oops move around

[daisychain01]

Agree with you it's nice to have a Drop-in thread to share current work type issues and a general therapy session, bloody hell do I need a therapist at the moment

[Kr1stina]

Yes you need to move around.

It's one of the (many ) reasons why men get promoted more and paid more. They apply for jobs where they meet 75% of the person spec and they BS the rest .

Then they ask for more money than the job was advertised at .

Women stay in the same job and hope that their good work and achievements will be recognised. They don't apply for jobs unless they meet 150% of the person spec .

When they get a new job they don't negotiate for more money, they hope that they will do well and their hard work and achievements will be recognised .

Do you see the pattern ?

[TrainAway]

Have seen roles outside of your organisation that interests you? Do you have a particular promotion at your current place which interests you? Unfortunately automatic in-role promotions seem to rarer but moving up by applying for high grades jobs are more possible.

[myownperson]

Have you got hold of application packs at the next grade and looked at the requirements? You need to build up examples at the next level as much as possible.

Can you cover for your boss on occasion?. Good if you can get examples of having to make decisions at next level. Representing her at meetings is great as well - gain respect with more senior colleagues across organisation. If you get the chance to represent her prepare really well for any contribution you need to make.

Getting on to projects where you get known by other sections/divisions is very helpful.

Is there someone approachable a grade or two higher other than your line manager who would look through your development record or similar and give you feedback on gaps and which examples are strong. Even if your line manager is really supportive someone different will be a bit more objective.

Sorry if this is all obvious! Good distraction from my insomnia. Good luck.

Disclaimer - I've been at home with DC for ages. Very rusty brain

[myownperson]

Or listen to Kr1stina!
Describes my career - slow promotions which I was always very sure of getting - while husband quickly blagged his way up the ladder moving around.

[StealthPolarBear]

Sorry I'm not being very clear. I am looking for other jobs, but in the organisation. I have too many benefits of maintaining my service. They just don't come up that frequently
I also really enjoy the topic area I'm in, and would struggle to be motivated by something too different.

[StealthPolarBear]

" Have you got hold of application packs at the next grade and looked at the requirements?"
Yes, that's what I'm building up examples of. I also do cover for my boss regularly both deputising for meetings and general cover when she's away.

[StealthPolarBear]

I'm also follow in the gaps where my skills are a bit rusty, and keep applying to do the relevant masters. That will be very stressful but worth it in the end.
Anyone else feeling like this?

[myownperson]

Sorry for obvious suggestions.

It's great to love the work you do. I wouldn't necessarily leave the organisation for promotion.

[StealthPolarBear]

Yes that's what Im thinking. I know rhe advice is to move about to move up but actually staying in the network of organs at ions I'm in is quite important to me.
plus I have relatively long service, and there's something to be said for knowing what's going on.

[StealthPolarBear]

Right at the moment I could do with a holiday

[myownperson]

This morning I'm amused that I've posted on your thread given my lack of any actual employment! I'll blame sleep deprivation! Hope some sensible posters join you.

[StealthPolarBear]

Don't be silly your advice is very welcome.

[HyacinthFuckit]

I like to move around a bit, and it's served me well, but if I'd been in a large organisation a long time I might be disinclined to move too. There's something to be said for full employment rights and redundancy pay, especially if you're in a sector where those things are likely to be respected rather than the place just going bust.

[erinaceus]

Hi Stealth

Do people in your organization know you are looking for a new opportunity internally? It is no good polishing yourself up, if no-one knows that you are looking.

I would not disregard looking externally either. You could leave and come back - this is common in my field - or just have a nosy around what is out there. It might open some doors.

[daisychain01]

Continuity of service is an important consideration. Leaving and returning means you break the length of service which (mainly in terms of pension and some other benefits) is never as good as one unbroken work period.

Moving around in the same company is a good way forward. Can you start putting out the feelers with your networks to see if any jobs are in the pipeline but not yet advertised, stealth.

Our internal job vacancy website is like an estate agent's window, by the time all the best stuff is showing, a lot of water has already passed under the bridge, informal conversations have happened and it then becomes a tick in the box to comply with policy.

IOW, can you get your foot in the door at the initial stage so you know about things sooner?

[erinaceus]

I see. Maybe this is in part generational? At my employer, there is a lot of turnover among newer hires

[StealthPolarBear]

Yeah I have my eye on secondments too, they do come up but none so far have been any good.
In the position I'm in I'm as good as any to find out about posts becoming vacant before they go to official advert. I tend to know what's going on. Just need the right one to come along I suppose.

[EBearhug]

You definitely need to get networking and have people know you're interested in other opportunities.

I'm currently on a secondment which is pretty much all down to getting to know people through the women's network - someone I met through that had a project, and said to HR, we need to consider EBEARHUG. And some months later, here I am. So if you find someone who is willing to sponsor you, that's also really helpful. But they need to know who you are and what you have to offer to do that - which is the networking piece.

[StealthPolarBear]

Hmm, maybe
I'm not sure where I'm am works on quite the same way

[EBearhug]

People knowing who you are and what you have to offer isn'the going to work against you, though, nor will having contacts all round the business. Knowing who you can ask about X, Y or Z is always useful.

[StealthPolarBear]

Well that's something I'm already doing as part of my current job, making links and contacts.