Is anyone good with career advice? I’m so frustrated at work

[EforM]

I’m trying to think how to word this without it sounding like a humblebrag!

I’ve been in my current job for 18 mths in a very large organisation. I am good at my job and have time capacity to take on other work. My general manger has gradually given me more responsibilities for tasks which don’t fall under my role but which I am good at.

Six months ago I started covering work which my line manager couldn’t do. Line manager was newly promoted into the role and not confident with doing certain things which I have now taken on. These are things which are expected of a manager at her level.

Another line manager has had various periods of sickness. When she is off I am brought in to cover her role. She has also been asked to shadow me for periods as she isn’t confident in doing some things and was repeatedly doing them wrong. Both line manager are two pay grades above me.

My frustration lies in:

1. I don’t get paid any extra for covering roles two grades above mine
2. The repeated promotion of people to line manager roles when they aren’t capable of doing the work and the thought process of “EforM will help you/do it for you”. I should say here that I didn’t put myself up for promotion as I have childcare issues and they were presumed choice as they have been there for much longer than me
3. Lack of professional development for me. I seem to have backed myself into a position where I am the go to person to take on things other people can’t handle but I get no recognition for this.

Mostly I feel like I’ve outgrown my job. I can do my actual job with my eyes closed. I’ve been covering for a line manager for 3 weeks but she’s back on Monday and its now a case of “thanks for your help, back to your job you go and she’ll take over from here”. Despite the fact i have been pulled over 3 times to help her with jobs which are way above my pay grade and she admits she can’t do.

I feel quite down about going to work on Monday. Frustrated that I seem stuck in my role and slightly used. I’m a positive pro active person and hate feeling like this.

So, there aren’t any jobs coming up for me to progress to in the next 6 months. Would you stay and grind it out and recognise that you have made a name for yourself as the “go to person”. Or think you are just being used and start looking elsewhere for progression?

Christ that was long! Sorry!

I think that we can all come to a point in a role where others’ perceptions of us no longer match where we want to be. It’s just human nature to slot people into their space and then be surprised when they want something different.

I would look for a sideways move to a new organisation.

I'd also start looking externally as this role is no longer developing you or allowing you to progress properly. It's not about the promotion as such, but about ensuring your job is still challenging you and you're getting the recognition you deserve.

A sideways move is something I have been thinking about and is a possibility.

My childcare issues will be sorted next month so I will be able to go full time. This would probably be a good time to start thinking about moving roles, but I like our department and would rather stay there. There just doesn’t seem to be any scope for development for me.

Have you had any conversations about professional development and progression?

It seems you are valued, so I’d have a frank conversation with the GM - be assertive and pleasant, factual etc
It may be 6mo until promotion but you’ll want a career map now, with some useful training etc
If they try and fin you off with a review in 6mo, start looking externally.

Have you spoken to them about it? How about asking to move up to the next grade if they are two grades above you?

OP don’t go for a sideways move!
You are clearly ready for more, so you’ll just be dissatisfied a few months in.
You need a role at a level where you learn.

I think 18 months isn't very long in an organisation and these things play out in three to five year chunks.

My advice would be to remain helpful and agreeable and continue to garner respect and a sound reputation. Whilst you might not be grtting paid for the grade, you are gaining the experience in a light tpuch, risk free way and will be able to demonstrate evidence based true examples when opportunities arise.

As a word of caution you may not be rendering the full duties of the seniors' roles and there may be stuff happening in the background of which you know nothing so bide your time and keep your powder dry.

I'm sure my team think they can do my job but there are things I get involved in that take up rafts of my time which they know nothing of and rightly so.

I would ask for a pay rise. Is there any scope for this? Worth asking if you like working there.

If they don't give you a pay rise then use the extra experience to enhance your cv and then go for a more senior job elsewhere when you can go full time.

The irony is that I have my professional development review in two weeks. With my line manager, who I prop up with tasks she can’t do. She is a nice enough person but doesn’t really have anything to do with me or my role (I’m not sure she really understands what my job is). I think it’s going to be a bit embarrassing for both of us for her to do my review.

I think I will ask the general manager if she can do it instead of my line manager but I feel like I’m overstepping!

3-5 years for a promotion?
I’m guessing that’s a slow market!

Most successful people I know in London job hop if they aren’t promoted every 1.5-2 years.
That usually means coordinator/analyst can reach associate director level in 6 years, which is how it worked for me also.

Do you not have performance management? You should have an opportunity to talk about your career progression at that point. It’s a perfectly fair issue to raise. Also do you not have pay reviews? Surely performance management and pay review go together? This might be a large organisation but it should give staff opportunities to talk about such matters without compromising their position.

Would you look for another role when you want to be full time? Or expect this one to become full time? I think that might need to be discussed too.

Yes 18 months plus for promotion. Not necessarily over 3 years. Oh, if you want promotion: apply!

@7Worfs, I am a co-ordinator!

I currently have my co-ordinator job but on top of that I’ve taken on:

Financial projections
Staff management (for basic admin staff)
Ad hoc project management
“Fire fighting” staffing issues/problems as and when they arise

These are all jobs my line manager is supposed to do

Ok the fact that you will soon be in a position to go full time and that you have your review coming up makes this the perfect opportunity to raise it in a constructive way.
What I would do in your shoes is ask if the GM can do the review as they have a better overview of the work you’ve been doing recently. Then in the review, you state (and follow up with an email reiterating all these points succinctly) that you’re about to be able to go full time and so would like to discuss what opportunities there might be for you at your current employer; you feel as though you have the ability to do the job at your line manager’s level and think your past performance has demonstrated that; you enjoy the company and your current department but are looking for career development opportunities; and given your the fact that they repeatedly turn to you for back up cover for more senior roles, you believe this is strong evidence that you deserve a pay rise.

Then see what they say. Even if you think it’s 99% likely that they will say nothing doing, it is always good to jump through the hoops because it means that if you end up leaving to go elsewhere, it will be clear that you gave the company every chance of keeping you. That could be important later on if they want to rehire you into a more senior role.

It was like that in my 20s/30s in London and pre DC 7Worfs.

In my second career which spans the last 17 years, I'm coming up to 60. 2 years grade 3, working at 4/5 level, 2 years grade 5 being supported to take prof quals, 2 years grade 6, 2 years grade 7 and totally blocked. Sideways move to grade 7 (higher paid though), move to grade 8 after 2 years, w years at grade 8 then huge jump to senior staff and a v quick jump then to executive team but believe me there was a lot of watching, waiting and positioning. But with school runs, etc, and not being the main breadwinner it took more patience.

I understand you're frustrated by the lack of skills in people who get promoted - but you do say that you didn't apply for it on those occasions due to your own circumstances. Those circumstances are about to change, so it's a brilliant time for an open discussion with the general manager about your future options. You can stay positive "I find my work so much more interesting when I am doing X or covering Y. I'm keen to move into that kind of role fully, what would you see as the steps we need to take to achieve that?"

It's one thing for them to know you're "brilliant but not looking to pick up more hours/responsibility" and another for them to be aware you're "brilliant and now wanting to focus on career". If they don't act, with some concrete plans, once they know the latter, THEN I would start thinking about moving on.

(Promotion rates are going to vary by sector - we plan for people progressing every 2-3 years if they are good but steady, faster if they are really proactive and driven.)

Right, you need to ask to be either Senior Coordinator or Coordinator Team Lead now.

Then ask for training and certification in one of the following - people management / project management / industry related, e.g. ITIL if you are in IT.

Keep the financial tasks - very valuable for your resume when you go for manager level. Even ask for more if you can!

If you tell me your industry, function and location I can try suggest more?

Roses at your level yes, but OP is just starting it seems, and with ability and drive to climb faster.

Research shows women’s careers plateau at 39, while men’s at 49.

Women must shove and push early on.

7Worfs research may say that but I disagree. From 1982 to 1987 I went from £8k to £100k and it plateaud from there for 10 years due to black Monday and having a baby. Became a SAHM in 96 and had seven wonderful years.

In 2003 started a new career at 43 on £8k, half time. Left that role at 52 on £35k f/t. Started at new org in 2012 on £42k, now on £106,000. Public sector now not City.

I think women need portfolio careers and also that having no statutory retirement age and a state pension age of 68 is a massive advantage. As late as 2005 a dinosaur Head of Service said to me there was no point investing in my prof quals because I'd never work lomg enoughbfor the orgnto benefit. I was 45 and retorted show me a 25 who has been sponsored who has stayed longer than 5 years post qual. He changed his position.

I don't think the hard part is getting there, rather it's maintaining it.

update your CV,
include all the extra responsibilities
start looking elsewhere at a higher band
or ask for training to enable you to progress

I’d think you are an outlier, that’s not the average career

I’m on mat leave with my first now (am mid-thirties) and honestly I wish I started climbing sooner, because I feel I’ll have to slow down for a few years, and I think I haven’t reached the level I want to.

I’m so glad I posted this. I was using it mostly as a sounding out but lots of inspiring and good advice from other women.

Thank you all so much. Lots to think about

Keep us posted how the appraisal goes