To apply or not apply? Tough love me

[Kanfuzed123]

I need maybe a shake through the screen hoping mnetters will oblige.

there is a snr role in a different department available (not a huge salary uplift esp because there is apparently a bullshit 10% pay rise rule, so they shaft you)
I have the experience and I’ve done similar roles at other companies before.

should I apply?

my confidence is quite low. Namely because my end of year has been downgraded from a top performer to a mid tier one (not based on my line managers feedback they’ve put me in for the top) but to fit the stupid bell curve. I had a very professional chat with the big wig who ultimately downgraded me and It was basically a list of what I’m lacking, and some of it felt really reaching in so far as they were pretty wishy washy and a bit contradictory.

its left me a bit shaken, I also wonder like will that hamper my chances, will i piss my department off, will they say I’m not good enough, will It be super embarrassing if I don’t get it, is it even worth the extra responsibility for about £6k a year? What if I’m not good enough? What if I fail?

i have a tough talking male work friend who thinks I should apply but the advice is well be good enough, don’t be rubbish and you’ll be fine.
i feel quite deflated after my rating because I worked my socks off, truly but I got downgraded against my managers feedback and for wishy washy reasons

what should I do?

Go for it. My dad and I were having this conversation the other day and when you have had a disappointing situation at work it's best to use it to galvanise yourself into taking some positive action. You have a job already so you have nothing to lose. You'll show top brass that despite the setback you are still ambitious. And even if you don't get it - who cares? No one is going to remind you of it on a weekly basis - there is no one in the world who got every job they applied for - it's not going to be super embarrassing at all. Plus it's a different department - so there is a degree of separation. Take the feedback on the chin - even the bits that are clearly crap - and write one line about how you intend to improve for each of them. You could even turn it around at interview and when they say: "Tell us your weaknesses" you can say: "Well I had some feedback recently that I don't 100% agree with, but I have taken the time to appraise it further and here's how I think I can improve these specific points."

GOOD LUCK! You honestly have nothing to lose. 6% is good in this economy!

Thank you! When I say the feedback was wishy washy I mean it was like to the point how can I even act on it.

doing too much of X (key objective that this person set me)
being too much of a good corporate person
smiling too much
not wearing enough colour
think about now to seem bigger (ie taller)
think about who I am

to my mind things that don’t necessarily drag a rating down

That's insane! Sounds like psychobabble! But onwards and upwards - if all the feedback was this pathetic then just put it aside, but use how annoyed it made you feel to propel you forward to apply for this other position. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Do it! Believe in yourself, you sound more than capable.

Some of it was sound, but I think it was more sound with if you want a promotion in this area, like more networking with higher ups and snr leaders, more stage presence and we all have development areas but then it was interspersed with th above

Yes we all have development affairs and I would take the sound bits and make a plan for those. Ignore the nonsense bits - what's that about being tall?!! Will the people interviewing for the new department be linked to your current one?

Why is 10% a 'bullshit pay rise rule'? Most people would be fucking delighted with a 10% pay rise, it is considerably above average. Make sure you don't let that kind of attitude come across at interview.

Apply with the expectation you won't be successful. You could drop lucky and be the best on offer, or you could lose out if someone who had higher grading applies.
However, the important thing (and this is what men know and one reason the mediocre ones do better than excellent women) is to stay on their radar as someone who wants to advance, has confidence in themselves, and isn't going to slink away with her tail between her legs saying 'I'm not worthy' because some fool who can't explain themselves has decided she's less able than she deep down knows she is.

It’s a small to medium company so no one is that far apart.

im a small woman Petite and it seems like it goes against me. Its a very man dominated industry

The bell curve is hard for managers as well. They fight for you to be in the top but ultimately not everyone can be.

But then because of this the manager or in this case even the managers manager has start coming up with reasons why you aren’t top (if you ask). And because he doesn’t have anything particularly valid - he comes out with silly things like smile less which obviously annoys you (understandably).

the likelihood probably is that there are loads of people also working their socks off. You probably deserve that top grade but because of the curve - this was some else’s turn this year.

unfortunately because your boss told you that he put you in for the top grade but it was knocked back - it feels like a demotion for you in grade maybe.

could be misinterpreting the situation but this is my experience.

doesnt mean you are bad. You are probably excellent and can get the promotion. But the bell curve game gets played and it’s not a game everyone can win due to its nature (rightly or wrongly)

try not to dwell on the rating, go for the promotion - your boss thinks your excellent, you also must rate your self before this rating issue. None of that has changed.

For a promotion most places have a 10% pay rise cap? Never heard of this before nor have I encountered it.

so simple maths, this role is being advertised as 75- 85k but id be offered (IF I got the role) mid 60s, so 10k below what they actually want to pay externally? They’ve industry benchmarked to get the salary they’ve gone to market with. I am currently th top of my band for my job family and I understand that experience = pay but if me or any other candidate got chosen for a role it’d because they/ me were deemed to the best, I don’t think then th company should look for ways to pay them less than what they advertise the role as

ah sorry quoted the wrong post

Do it. But dont go in angry, go reflective yet ballsy, give them what they want

That’s pretty much it yeah! And FairPlay maybe I should’ve ’played the game’ better, it does just suck hearing all some weird reasons why you’re not good enough.

my mid year was signed off as the top rating so it’s extra shit that it’s gone down esp since my performance has only improved

Never come across it before and it just seems like a way to shaft internal candidates and ultimately end up paying more people people will leave

Nah, don’t beat yourself up. Sometimes it’s completely out of your control. it’s not because you aren’t good enough or didn’t play the game right.

If it’s anything like places I’ve seen - the managers go into a big meeting and agree everyone grades. So a lot of it is on how well your manager can pitch you and fight against the other managers pitching their direct reports.

keep positive if you can. It’ll help in the interview if you go for it.