Not sure how to tackle this....

[Musteatcake]

Hi All
Have been in my current post of Project Officer for 9 mths. Am in my early 50's and have worked a number of years in a variety of admin based roles. I am not utilised in a project capacity. The PM does not include me in meetings, despite documents and discussions suggesting the benefits. I see many areas that we could improve in, but understand that the PM is new in role and is keen to build their role and presence. I guess there are also not yet enough projects to necessitate delegating. I feel unsure of my role because I am not utilised in a way that reflects my JD, I have learnt a lot, but feel that there is not space for me to grow into/develop my role, which is now generally admin/PA based. A similar role has come up in another area of my organisation, I have had a chat with the recruiting manager, who suggested I apply, but as the JD is the same (they are pretty generic), I am not sure what to do. My confidence is wavering and I am not sure if it is me am I just not up to the job or is it the role that's not for me or just the dept I work in. I am also peri meno which impacted hugely on my previous role coupled with a toxic,bullying environment which pretty much had me on my knees and I moved to my current role which was a promotion after 10 months. My current LM is supportive but I work for another manager (higher than my LM). My appraisal was really good, but I am not sure where I am going work wise. my LM thinks I could move up the ladder, but I just don't feel that I have found my fit so to speak. Stay in current role, or apply for a side ways move ?Help, I need a sense check..

Well applying for it is a no brainer. There's no guarantee that you'll get it. You don't feel that you've found your fit, you're not included in stuff you should be - how on earth would you move up the ladder where you are?

Have you thought about asking to talk to the current post holder? Just because the JD is the same doesn’t mean the job is.

@Premiumbondbaby thank you so much for your reply, the post being advertised is a new role , in a brand new team

@Musteatcake that makes it difficult.

The only other options I can suggest are to talk to the Project Manager who would be your line manager/person you work closely with and to ask them how they see the PO role. Get a feeling of whether they want you fully involved or want you to operate the same way as your current PM.

The other is, if there are other PO roles in the organisation, talk to the post holders and see how involved they are.

@Premiumbondbaby my main manager suggested to my LM that they wanted me involved in all projects, but despite my efforts and that of my LM it just doesn't happen and I am not sure how we can make it any clearer. It is frustrating to find out about meetings that have taken place and I have not been involved in.

In all honesty I think I was recruited too early on

@Musteatcake sorry I wasn’t clear, talk to the PM for the advertised role not your current PM.

I'm assuming you e asked already what the role is versus what was advertised? What was the response?

What did the PM (in you current role) say when you asked 1)why you weren't invited and 2)what (else) you can get involved with?