To accept promotion? Advice....

[Cheescakeismyfave]

I'm after other people's perspectives/ experience in this or a similar situation....

Long story short, my manager has resigned, and I have been offered their job.

I have been in my current role for a few years now, and it was on the cards for me to go in to a managerial role, but not for a few more years yet. This was mostly as the managerial role is a lot more advanced than the work I do now, a lot more involvement with different departments and communication with outside parties and higher management. I know the basics, and some of what my current manager does on a day to day basis, I also know there is a whole lot more than what I see going on, but these things only get shared with other employees on a need to know basis.

I think I am capable of getting to a point where I am comfortable in the position, but I am not there yet. My employer has also addressed that they know i dont currently have the skill set, but i have potential.

My question is, would I be silly to accept the job knowing I'm not 100% ready? And hope that everything just falls in to place once I am in the position itself? Do I jump in with both feet at this opportunity, or am I deluded? 😆

I think you need to be clear about what support you would need moving into the role, and talk about how that could be offered - training, a mentor/buddy etc. As long as you are upfront about your development needs and there is a plan for you to learn on the job, you should 100% take the promotion. No one goes into a new role, let alone a promotion, in a state of being fully competent.

You need to know how they will set you up for success. Would you have the same targets/KPIs as your former manager? What training do you need? When do they expect you to be working at the same rate/skill set as the role demands? Will you be managing people? Do you have people management experience? - often the trickiest skill to master.

With the right attitude and support you can definitely do it. In many ways you're at an advantage to an outsider coming in who'd be expected to be at the level (even if processes / industry are completely different) You can go into every situation with curiosity, ask the 'silly' questions. But ultimately prove yourself.

One word of warning - I have recently seen someone recruited into a role that was definitely a step up - the hiring team knew this at interview and made all the right noises about progressing this person. She didn't make her probation - in reality it was quickly forgotten that her previous role had been more junior, and her performance was judged on the new role.

This was an external recruit though, I'd expect an internal promotion to be handled much better.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I’ve had this situation thrust on me after a number of lay offs but no promo or money increase. I can do the job but worry I’m not inspirational enough as a leader and my headspace right now is not great. Equally there is no one senior enough who can do the job I’m doing and I hate that it’s me who has to have the answers. Equally I need the job. I have a mentor and it helps - leadership can be brutal when business is going well but I do worry I’ll be next. I do find I’ve come under criticism for metrics and financial targets not being met but our business is difficult due to rising costs and lack of funding for our clients causing them to rethink priorities. So the comment above resonates re not being set up for success even though nothing has changed for me re seniority or terms and conditions of my role. Don’t know what they expect! I would have relished this role 10 years ago when I was younger and more willing to take a risk. For you sounds like you are younger so I’d go for it if I were you. Get a mentor too. Enjoy!

Thanks for everyone's input. Good to see other perspectives, even though I will ultimately be the one making the decision.

I agree with the mentor suggestion, definitely something I need to make sure of. Hopefully if I am assertive with addressing my training needs, these will be met. I presume my internal recruiters knecks may also be on the line for putting the idea forward in the first place.

@Imfullofcrazyideas just out of interest how old are you now? I do feel a bit like you, but more cautious due to business politics. Hope everything works out for you too!

Early 50s