Keep being seen as a junior

[linda30]

I wonder if any of you have been in a similar situation and managed to get out of the rut? I'm 32 now and although my job pays me well and has an okay (non manager) title it brings me down quite often. The thing is - every new person I encounter face to face pretty much assumes I'm a junior staff member. I do have some issues around confidence and am an introvert but I can speak knowledgably about my area of expertise. This brings me down as I don't see myself moving up unless people start seeing me as someone who actually matters. And I really don't think this is just in my head - just today I was asked "so when is this secondment ending for you" (held my job for the last 2 years) and previously the same woman stated "I want my data to be easily understandable to people who are new to the project." (implying that's me.) I am in my current organisation for 6 years now and this makes me want to cry. I've never been formally promoted, eiter made upward moves though applying for other positions in the organisation or strongarming my boss into re evaluating my job spec when I was effectively taking on senior colleagues responsibilities with no recognition. Just don't know what it is about me that gives people this impression. How to counter act this?

You probably need to ask for feedback from your manager - ask them what you think you should work on in order to progress in your career.

That said, if you've already been promoted - through applying for an opportunity or a job re-evaluation - those ways of advancing are as legitimate as any others, and I would consider them "proper" promotions - for example every promotion in my organisation involves applying for an open position.

If you come accross as Junior, could the way you dress be having an impact ? If you're talking about first impressions, someone in jeans & trainers will always appear less senior than someone in smarter gear ... depends on the industry though, if you're in an IT Startup, and show up in a skirt-suit, it could look odd :D

@elelfrance Thank you for your response. I try to dress professionally, never come to work in jeans and sneakers. I don't put on maleup and don't wear high heels but that is fairly standard for women in my organisation.

I think you should read nice girls dont get the corner office. Not everything will apply to you but it will give you some pointers.

@redexpat I checked it out yesterday - thank you for recommending! Looks like this could be very useful for me.

What job do you do?

I think it doesn't necessarily matter in some jobs if you are a wallflower (i.e. IT, Finance, etc.). In other jobs, it is important that you stand out a bit more.

It sounds like you need to develop a bit more presence. How are you communicating? If you're a bit apologetic in your style you won't carry a lot of weight.

Maybe it's time to change to a different company? That's what some people do to be promoted.

@mosaic I'm trying but I hardly have the time to look around... Today my manager started to openly mock me so I think it is time to go.

Definitely time to look for another job. It's very easy to become part of the furniture and not be noticed, which sounds like you. I've been there. I moved every 2/3 years, each time to a better job. Any less than 2 years and questions are asked, but you really shouldn't be in the same job, doing the same work, for more than 3/4 years unless you're coasting in your 40's/50's. If you can't move within your existing firm, then you need to move out to a different one.