To go up against colleague for a promotion?

[Daisylake]

AIBU?

I have been in the job 3 years, the other person just over a year. A promotion has come available due to expansion. They have been covering the new role as when they started they where just assigned the work so now the job is officially available, it's now been taken for granted that they are applying and it's their job to be offered to them. I am interested in the job, I have some experience of the role having also covered parts of it during staff sickness, it's what I'm going now but just more travel, but I have been discouraged from applying.

I am interested but I feel that I won't get it despite on paper being more qualified, just because the work was given to them when they started so they have the advantage of some training already. But I shouldn't have to step aside and let someone else's carer develop at the expense of my own just because it's convenient. I am good at what I do and I know they don't want to take me out of my role and train my replacement, so it's easier if they keep everything the same. I feel like I will upset the team if I go up against them and apply. I will be upset if I don't get it as I will feel opportunities are not offered equally. Do I just look elsewhere for opportunities?

If not getting the job will upset you i'd just leave it and carry on as you are to be honest.

Do you know why they were offered the opportunity to step up in the first place? There could be so many reasons and it’s frequently just luck. If it was then you need to explore why you’re now being discouraged and either look elsewhere or accept any development points with grace. I am constantly baffled in my team about the way some of them think they’re amazing when they’re just passable and then (more frustratingly in some ways) those who lack confidence despite being brilliant.

I had this exact scenario at work. The other person got the role so I left. I wanted to let them know that I wasn’t ok continuing to be the round peg in the round hole just because it suited them. I wanted a job with more responsibility, a higher salary and one that challenged me. I was sad to leave but I felt that if I didn’t, I’d be stuck doing the original job forever as I was good at it.

If I were you, I’d definitely apply but have a contingency plan about what to do if you don’t get it.

Who discouraged you?

I also wondered who discouraged you - and what did they say?

You’ve used “they” to refer to your colleague when I actually think it would be really instructive to know that person’s sex.

Also interested to know who discouraged you?
Regardless I think you should apply. If it’s management who are discouraging you it clearly shows your intention to progress so even if you’re not successful, there is always next time. If it’s your colleague doing the discouraging then they’re just trying to eliminate the competition 😂
Just apply!

Who discouraged you?

I'd go for it.
Shows strongly you want to progress from.your existing role.
Good interview experience.

Well you really need to read the room, they’ve discouraged you and don’t wish to give it to you, so applying is just going to piss you off as they dint want you to habe it.

If you want it then apply but maybe give thought to what you might do if turned down.

As with all these things, do you feel ANYONE would give you the same consideration?

It's like companies/employees. They can be the nicest boss on the planet, but when it comes to the crunch, and they need to save money and issue redundancies, you're just a number.

Go for it, guilt free, and I wish you the best!

Are you sure they were't recruited to eventually do this role because the company knew the role was going to become available?

And who is discouraging you?

I'd apply anyway.

This thread is from February...

I think they are just formalising it and giving this person a promotion op. I really doubt it’s just they gave them it as it was convenient, and if they wished to give it to you they would have,

id look elsewhere, if it’s been 3 years and they don’t wish to promote, then it’s unlikely they view you in that way.

Apply. You are absolutely entitled to, you might get it, and even if you don’t it will signal that you are interested in developing your career.

She won’t get it. They’ve discouraged her. And she doesn’t need to signal. She can have the conversation, it’s not a smoke signal thing.

Wow, zombie thread.

Oh!

What was the result?

So annoyed at myself for not checking the date. Which made me look up the outcome.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/work/5026382-overlooked-for-a-promotion