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

I'm not sure I'd take advice from Reddit that seriously but there is an element of truth to this ; you can stay in a job too long.

What does 'done well' mean?
What did others do better?

It's time to move on.

But if you stay, I really would advise that you book some time with the person who interviewed you to get a proper debrief - not just 'did well' - and come out with some areas to develop.

Two things I’m getting from this OP:

It sounds like the promotion is too big a leap for managers to consider you as a suitable candidate - going to something that can command 3x your salary is a very, very big jump and few people would do it successfully in one leap. What are the stepping stones to get there, are there other promotions that would bridge the gap?

The feedback you’ve had is inadequate if they’re just saying “you did well”. I’d be talking to them to get some proper feedback and things you can work on - whether that’s to better position yourself for the next internal opportunity or to go elsewhere.

It never works because a truly competent employee (unless you're in a niche role/location) always has other options, and will end up leaving anyway.
Keep them, and they can train up their replacement.
Mothers are more likely to be treated like this because a job that fits childcare etc (of course fathers should do their share too but in the real world many don't!) is like gold dust. So they put up with a lot to keep it.
But even that becomes too much.

Why are you so attached to your team OP?

I left a team that I loved for better opportunities elsewhere (In the same org) and while the jump was scary at first it was the right thing to do. Never get comfy, because you'll face a massive shock when things change.

The other thing to note - is that management is a completely different skillset from 'doing the work'. Is the step up a leadership role?

Stop being so weird and nasty.

TF is your problem?

I agree, it is poor practice. And I also agree a really good candidate will be ready to move from their team and try their skills elsewhere.

Once was enough for me, we had a promotion freeze for one year in an old job but I was “guaranteed” it the next year. I was young and naive enough to not get that in writing.

Next year they promoted three men who regularly went drinking with the managers, I was better than all of them. I contacted a recruiter the next day and gave my notice in within a month, was moving to another job where I was paid more than I would have been if I’d got the promotion.

Best advice is to move regularly to get promotions. I’ve been technically with the same organisation 10 years now but have been promoted 3 times within that otherwise I’d have moved on.

@trextape sticking the boot in there much?

oh seriously
saying that not securing a promotion maybe down to not being viewed as ready for it is “sticking the boot in” 🙄

Dude, what is your problem?! Do you want a boot so you can kick the op some more?

She has been told by management that she's a good candidate.

I've only ever been 'promoted' once, and that was in a minimum wage job, zero hours contract. I worked there for 15 years and had a 2 quid ph payrise in all that time.
But I'm such a doormat I just took it. No wonder I ended up having a nervous breakdown!

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

How do you tell if it's the workplace with it's own agenda or that Op is not ready.

If she tries for other jobs or tries a different workplace and progression there - it removes the variable of her current workplace being the problem.

If she can't progress or get another job then it's clearer that there stuff she needs to develop and she will likely get some feedback she can work with.

Staying at current position especially if she been given feedback she doing well -ie no areas that need work - just means she is none the wiser what the problems blocking her progression are. If she not ready but they aren't prepare to tell her that then it's hardly worth sticking round as they still aren't invested in helping OP progress. If she not told where she lacking or how to improve there may always be better candidates.

Looking what out there - just seems sensible move all round.

I find it very odd that it doesn't occur to you that you're being rude and goady to a person you have never met for no reason whatsoever, but you do you.

Now is the time, overlooked twice I’d just go

Thanks all. Yes - time to
go.

Watch this - and look for another job!