How to push for job - when somebody else is already in the role

[excited99]

I have been working for my employer for 12 years and have been in my current department for 5 years. There is a management role in another department that I feel I could do much better than the current manager. I feel that customer service could be improved and I could incorporate my skill set to change the role but make it more productive. I have spoken to my manager, he has said that he agrees I would be a good person for the job and I need to "make some noise" to push for the job. How do I do this? I dont want to go down the route of pointing out every mistake that the manager makes, however, I need to show that I could do it better. Am I completely out of order for even thinking about this?

I mean if there’s no vacancy what can you do?

Realistically if your manager thought you were good enough for the job, he’d push it with the higher ups in your company so that a either vacancy can be created for you or a suitable role could be found elsewhere to better your development. That’s what supportive managers do.

@Username1917 how did you push your colleague out though? Presumably your manager had some involvement

Even if this worked, you’d have to spend your entire time in that role watching your back waiting for the next person who thinks they’re better than you. I can’t believe anyone would advise this as a method of career progression.

Make some noise for your own managers job as he thinks it's such a good idea

If you want to progress then you need to make yourself noticeable. It's hard to advise without knowing the your work but be proactive in volunteering for things to boost your CV, putting forward ideas etc.

This isn't with the view of stealing someone's job; your company need to deal with people who aren't performing and that could take years. Do it with the view that you want to be prepared for when a promotion (either at your work or elsewhere) comes up. Just keep taking opportunities as they come up.

[quote Jackie2022]@Username1917 how did you push your colleague out though? Presumably your manager had some involvement[/quote]
My manager did have involvement but only to the extent where he signed on the dotted line. I raised some serious (and valid) concerns about the colleagues performance and it was taken notice of.

I read the OP yesterday when there were no comments yet, and I had to walk away from the screen because I could not believe that there was another person out there who thought like that.

I was that person who had someone else think they could do my job better than me. Unfortunately for me we had a change in management and a company that wanted to save money. I had decades of experience, a great track record and I gave my job far more time, energy and commitment than I should have done.

A younger, far less experienced, far cheaper colleague decided that she wanted promotion fast - and specifically that she wanted my job. She wormed her way into the new manager's good books and began to undermine my team. Once she had established her little clique they made it very difficult for me to do my job effectively. They made every excuse under the sun not to attend meetings, didn't do the tasks I set them to do and made my working life a living hell.

Taking my concerns up to management was a waste of time. Excuses were made for this rude, underhand behaviour and I soon understood that my days were numbered. I no longer work there. I hope she realises just how many hours that job takes - and that she will be the one now sacrificing her work life balance in order to do it. I hope her clique turn on her the way they turned on me. I hope that management realise that paying someone less well qualified and less committed significantly impacts on the quality of work that person does.

I know she will not be able to manage in the role. I feel very sorry for all of the good, decent people that her over promoting will impact on. I know that other mid level managers who had worked with me for years were genuinely shocked when I left. I would think by now they have worked out what happened and will be looking nervously over their shoulders in case the same thing happens to them.

I'm having issues like this.A school leavers who joined a few yrs ago became quite cocky when they got promotion.A kind of Jack the lad attitude.
Along comes a new boss who I think has bigged this lad up who I suspect would like to give him my role desire being many more yrs experience than him.
Now I find out the lad who has a poor attitude with me managing him wants my role.It is a hideous position to be in.
I partly blame my manager for not changing my job title to two above the colleague not one.

@singsingbluesilver

I read the OP yesterday when there were no comments yet, and I had to walk away from the screen because I could not believe that there was another person out there who thought like that.

I was that person who had someone else think they could do my job better than me. Unfortunately for me we had a change in management and a company that wanted to save money. I had decades of experience, a great track record and I gave my job far more time, energy and commitment than I should have done.

A younger, far less experienced, far cheaper colleague decided that she wanted promotion fast - and specifically that she wanted my job. She wormed her way into the new manager's good books and began to undermine my team. Once she had established her little clique they made it very difficult for me to do my job effectively. They made every excuse under the sun not to attend meetings, didn't do the tasks I set them to do and made my working life a living hell.

Taking my concerns up to management was a waste of time. Excuses were made for this rude, underhand behaviour and I soon understood that my days were numbered. I no longer work there. I hope she realises just how many hours that job takes - and that she will be the one now sacrificing her work life balance in order to do it. I hope her clique turn on her the way they turned on me. I hope that management realise that paying someone less well qualified and less committed significantly impacts on the quality of work that person does.

I know she will not be able to manage in the role. I feel very sorry for all of the good, decent people that her over promoting will impact on. I know that other mid level managers who had worked with me for years were genuinely shocked when I left. I would think by now they have worked out what happened and will be looking nervously over their shoulders in case the same thing happens to them.

Oh @singsingbluesilver I'm so sorry this happened to you. No doubt about it, your replacement a d those who supported her will recognise their mistake soon enough. It's a pity you won't be able to see it though.

Singsingbluesilver how awful.Do you have a fulfilling role now?
I have tried really hard to stick at my career working 12 hour days willing and cheerfully until last March when we went on furlough.Being ignored occasionally and subtle lack of support in an all male environment I hope the new place I applied to is what I want and I can walk away and never look back.Let the inexperienced run the show.

Look for a job that is available (whether internal or external to your organisation). If you try to "push for" someone else's job you may find that you are accused of harassment/bullying etc. A member of my team tried to do what you are suggesting - he ended up getting disciplined and eventually let go.

@singsingbluesilver

I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you. How awful.

I hope now you can look back and know that you are better off in another role. And that you are happier now too.