How many times do you take being overlooked for promotion

[Vergus]

……before you call it a day and move on out of your team? I’ve been unsuccessful twice now for internal promotions (within the same team) despite repeatedly being told by management and seniors that I have the skills and experience.

The jobs have gone to a) another internal colleague from a different team entirely with no experience in the field but said colleague was on a higher banding than me and b) another internal colleague who again has no experience in the field but is just “moving across” bandings as she doesn’t like what she’s currently doing. I meanwhile am very good at my role & currently being leaned upon by my senior who is new in post but doesn’t have a clue about the processes etc.

Am I being used and should I now look outside of this team/organisation? I want to develop, they know this, but I can’t help but feel I’m being prevented from doing so. How long do I give it? I don’t really want to be training up someone who is on 3 times my salary

two failed attempts and now you are training the new people? Move asap

In my organisation we have to consider those at band / rotations first for roles before they are offered for promotion - so our hands are tied to a certain extent. Did you interview for it or did you even get a chance?

But I'd start voting with your feet and applying for roles outside of your department or organisation asap.

does it occur to you that you’re just not up to a promotion at this time?

The only way you will get a promotion is to move. Reddit/antiwork is very firm on this.

They are also adamant never take the counteroffer.

these promotions you have gone for come with a 300% pay increase?

Did you get feedback after the interviews to find out what areas you need to develop/skills the other person had that you didn't mention?

I'd start looking now. You run the risk of becoming too useful in your current role to be promoted. It's not how good management works, but very common.

Was also going to ask about feedback after the interview, but if this doesn't seem satisfactory I'd definitely consider moving

You never know - if they really do value you the possibility of leaving might prompt a better offer, and then you'd have a choice

Unless I was given very clear steps to follow to be eligible for the next promotion I'd be walking. They've overlooked you twice, unless there is something you can work on to be the best candidate for the next promotion chances are you won't get the next one too

When I was younger (under 40) I’d give it two shots at promotion before moving on (but still be looking elsewhere in the meantime). Now, late 40s, if I didn’t get a promotion first time I’d be looking elsewhere.

Either they want to develop you or they don’t.

or the OP isn’t up to a job that comes with a 300% increase on her current pay level

I'd imagine the 300% comment is in relation to staff with more tenure being on a higher band / potentially different pay model

They're not going to promote you as you are currently doing the actual job you do very well. By promoting you, they lose that skill set and take a risk on you not having the management skills and so on that you'll need for the next level. Therefore, it's better for them to take a risk on someone else, knowing you'll continue to do the job very well. You might grumble a bit but you're demonstrating that, if they keep dangling promotion at you, that's all you need. So you have to decide either that you're happy where you are doing what you're doing or you apply for external roles. You also have more chance of getting a better pay rise by moving externally.

Yes I think she means her new manager is earning 3 times what she earns, yet she is training her manager in. It’s galling.

she’s training the new recruit min the job she went for
that came with a 300% increase

either way i find it very odd that it doesn’t occur to you op that it may be a case that they don’t think you are able to take on the promotion

Op you’re not being used, you’re not doing them a favour being there, you work there,

however it doesn’t seem they are being entirely honest or open with you about your chances of promotion, having rhe skills is one thing, but how many folks are above you in the queue,,,

I understood it that they were rotated into the role and are on 3 times her salary - so might've been on that prior to their move as opposed to getting that increase as part of the role. 300% increase for a promotion would be very rare in any organisation particularly one with banding!

@trextape

either way i find it very odd that it doesn’t occur to you op that it may be a case that they don’t think you are able to take on the promotion

This has crossed my mind of course. But the feedback I’m getting from management is that I am capable, very capable, have the skills and experience to qualify for the next level. But I have now interviewed twice and not succeeded for promotion (within this team.) Feedback is that I’ve “done well.”

and i am sure you have

but fact is…. other applicants have been better

I would be applying for jobs elsewhere.

A lovely colleague of mine was just shat on from a great height regarding a promotion opportunity. She’s definitely better than the person appointed, but the organisation needs her to stay in her current role, propping up her shit alcoholic manager. I’m livid about it in her behalf and of course she is now looking elsewhere.

I'd look now.

DH colleagues at last place look at got much better pay offers and huge jumps to their careers - seem to shock the workplace.

First case female colleague they promoted a unqualified male with no experience in field after telling female colleague who'd been doing the job and had years of experience she needed more experienced. She never looked back more money and career progression with next employer.

Other a man made a project a success with very little support and the response was to give it to someone else who then expected that guy to still run it despite not having no time in employed day to do so. He looked massive pay jump and career progression in next job.

DH left not such a dramatics jump as his colleagues but career progression and more money and fewer headaches. I'd look see what's out there - try somewhere else see if you can progress there - some work places are bad at nurturing talent - and you can't know if it something you need to develop or workplace been short sighted that stopping your progression till you try somewhere else.

OP it might not be 'you'. Rather, the promotion process is based on roles opening up, not advancing individuals. And those 'roles' are being filled by other people who, for whatever reason, management wants in those roles.

The main issue here is as PP said they're not being honest with you about your chances. I'd look to move elsewhere

If you can find a suitable role elsewhere, apply for it. If nothing else you will get honest feedback as to whether you are skilled for the level you are going for.

I don't know your level or type of work, but in some organisations it is expected that if someone is repeatedly passed over for eg partnership, it is quietly expected that they will either take the hint and move on, or accept that they will stay at the level they are at. In your case I see no reason to hang on if you are missing opportunities elsewhere.

I will also say promoting someone in the team can create a headache because you then have to fill their role. If you have been there a long time and are very competent at what you do, I can see they may be tempted to keep you where you are and only have to recruit once. It's a bad strategy but it happens.