Being promoted over…again

[Cranberriesberry]

I’m really upset about this. My line manager has told me that he would like to promote the person below me to a position above me. Currently there are three of us on our team, I am in the middle.

The way I’ve always, maybe naively, seen our kind of jobs is that if there are 3 positions in the department and you want to move up, you either wait for that person to leave/retire or you apply elsewhere.

I’ve been told that everyone is happy with my work, I do a great job etc, but the person below me is keen for promotion and this is the only way.

In fairness to my line manager, he has said that this new role would have to be open to me too and if I were interested I could apply for this role. My problem with this is I’ve already been told they are creating this role for someone else, I feel like I’d be setting myself up by applying for this role.

Therefore I see it as a fore gone conclusion that the person below me will be promoted above me which more than anything else, leaves me feeling humiliated.

This is not a situation I had foreseen. Our team of three are really close and very friendly. I don’t think this person means to disrespect me, they are young and keen. I’ve probably given the impression that I’m not looking to be promoted and I’m happy as I am.

So as to not drip feed, this has happened to me before when there was a company restructure and we all had to apply for new roles. They made it that there weren’t any ‘middle’ positions to apply for so myself and the person below me had to apply for the same higher role. I was sure I would get it, they got it. Not to be all woe is me but this really affected my mental health and I was very depressed for a number of years. I’m afraid of feeling this bad again.

Sorry this is so long, does anyone have any advice? I thought about contacting my union but I’m not sure it it is the kind of thing they can help with.

It’s about being the best fit for the job advertised at least in my work place, it doesn’t matter whether there is someone who has been there for 10 years longer/who is 10 years older if someone else is a better fit, even if they are brand new. When I started at my current role I was a band below my manager, I have a Law degree and had quite a lot of relevant experience behind me that my manager didn’t have and knowing I wanted to be promoted I had also been doing lots of up-skilling sessions, taking on extra tasks to build my competencies etc. When a job came up the band above my manager we both applied and I got it, my manager spoke with me afterwards and totally understood why I had been successful because although she had been at the company longer and at that level, she didn’t have the knowledge/experience for that role in the same way that I did. She then applied for the next promotion that came up which was another management role and so matched her skills perfectly, she got that one.

It’s not always about who has been there longer or who is in what grade, it’s about who has the skills/knowledge/drive for the job being advertised at the time.

Try not to take it as a personal insult and maybe if you do want to be promoted, start looking at expanding your skills/knowledge, up-skilling, actively work on building up your competencies. You can’t just assume that because you’re there and have been in role for awhile then you will get the job.

I sound pathetic I realise that. There are only 3 positions in our department. I’ve never pushed to be head of the department because there is already someone in that role. I’m happy being where I am, if I’d wanted promotion I’d have applied for that position at another company, as I have done in the past to get to the role I’m in now. I never expected the person under me to ask for me to effectively be demoted.

Do you want to pursue promotion? Would you want to do the new role? Or is it more that this decision makes you feel undervalued?

If you want promotion, I would arrange a meeting with your manager to discuss your development (so it's 1:1, there's time set aside to have a proper discussion and he knows what you want to discuss).

Say what your career goals are, ask if there are skill gaps you need to address and how your line manager plans to support your development and progression. Pin your line manager down for specifics and a development plan to meet them if he says there are gaps.

Depending on your relationship with your line manager, you could say that you are disappointed that your development and progression seem to have been an afterthought in this process and/or how the previous knock back dented your confidence. You could also say that progression matters to you, but you hadn't realised you could simply ask to be promoted past others or for a role to be created for you - if you had known that, you would have asked.

The other person may be keen but your line manager still has a duty of care to you.

Then depending on the outcome of discussion, put yourself forward for the role. Don't take yourself out of contention purely because of fear of losing face.

I don't think you sound pathetic. Your reaction is entirely natural and understandable.

I never expected the person under me to ask for me to effectively be demoted.

I think it would be fair to make this point calmly to your manager. I don't think he's properly thought through what he's proposing to do.

I think it would be fair to make this point calmly to your manager. I don't think he's properly thought through what he's proposing to do.

Yes this it it I think. I’m seen as a very laid back person, and as I’ve not been persuing promotion I think they thought I’d be absolutely fine with it and say yes promote them above me.

I prefer places where promotion is not based on simple length of service and 'dead men's shoes'. In any case, if a role senior to me is created or an existing one becomes vacant, I'd expect it to be advertised, maybe internally at first, and a proper fair application and interview process to be carried out. If I wanted it, I'd apply and do my homework, reflecting on what specific competences I believe I have (with evidence of examples).

Are you saying they just announced it?

I would ask your manager what you need to do to be promoted in the future, however it's not always about how well you do your job. In our company, future leaders are identified - not every can lead or manage - it could be a case that you are not demonstrating skills in this area.

It can be a shock to realise that not everyone is happy and content with the status quo. In reality, the person underneath you is unlikely to be thinking of you in this situation, more that they are ambitious and do want to get ahead.

Decide if you want to apply for it and make plans accordingly. But maybe it’s a wake up call that other people won’t just wait their turn or that someone isn’t going to come along and give a tap on the shoulder for promotion.

It is only a demotion if they lessen your responsibilities.

If someone else has been saying 'I am eager to progress and take on new responsibilities' then moving them up isn't necessarily a demotion for you.

They have more drive than you and asked for an opportunity you may well have been able to ask for yourself if you'd wanted to. I do t beleive promotion should be based on Le good service, if someone else is keener and will peruse it: want it more. I get why you're hurt, but you could have done the same. You either need to apply and work bloody hard at your interview prep- proving why you're the better option. Accept it and move on graciously, look for a new job.

Make it clear too that you are keen for promotion, apply for the job and see who gets it. If you get it, they still get promoted.

Your manager hasn’t really handled it correctly.

They have effectively admitted this new position opened is earmarked for a specific person.

If you are in a larger organisation, and you have evidence of this interaction, it’s worth raising. New positions should be open for anyone and candidates need to prove they are a fit, as opposed to saying they ‘want to be promoted’ or relying on length of service.

I am in a similar position, I am applying anyway and I'll do my best to show why I'm a better fit than other people who might apply for it.
Make it clear you also want to be promoted. If you get promoted one band up, then surely the person below you can then be promoted to your position and everyone is happy?

Sounds like they take you for granted. Push for the promotion.

Do you have an appraisal/ review system? Normally you should have outcomes that you are working towards. I don’t think it is enough in a work place to wait for a promotion, I have never been in a situation where that has happened. It has always been a competitive process whereby internal and external applicants have been treated equally based upon ability to demonstrate fitness for the role. I have been promoted several grades up and also I have been disappointed when someone got a post I really wanted. But hey ho life goes on and another position came up.
Do you have a work place mentor? If not find yourself one from outside your place of work. Lots of places offer mentorship schemes. I would work with a mentor to see how you can promote your own employability.
I don’t see how a union can help you. You have a job and are disappointed that it had not been suggested you apply for another. You could work to put in a very good application, make it difficult for them not to interview you. But I think you have to be realistic in understanding you may not get it if another candidate has more desirable skills.
Treat this as an opportunity to look honestly at your cv and develop towards the senior role. If the person below you does not want the post or moves elsewhere quickly you will then be better placed to apply. Good luck

If you want the job then apply for it. I would also be applying for positions outside your existing company and not making a secret about it.

Check out the recruitment processes for your work place as sounds like they are going to hold interviews because they have to.

ask for the job description for the new role and salary so you can decide if you even want the role.

if it’s a new post then does it need to be advertised externally as well as internally

If you’ve never shown any interest or keenness on progressing, then they’ll probably think you’re happy where you are. I was promoted a few years ago before people more qualified than me, because I made a lot of noise about wanting to go up and making sure I’m on track, whereas they simply expected it, like you by the sounds of it.

Apply for the job. So what if they have her in mind. You can show that you want to progress and you may even get it, opening up your role for her to progress to.

Would it make a big difference would it make to your current role if your colleague is promoted? For example, would they become your new line manager?

I absolutely agree with others on here that you should have a chat with your line manager. What would YOU like your role to become? You’ve been passively (and happily?) doing your role for a while and only now reacting because of the actions of an ambitious colleague. But, imagine the ambitious colleague hadn’t asked for promotion. Would you still like your role to change? Would you like a new challenge? Extra responsibility? Higher salary? This is the conversation to be having with your line manager. Good luck!

OP, you are right in noticing your own mindset, because it isn't helping you. You have created in your own mind a set of rules that are fair and promote people in a regulated way - next rung on the ladder. But you must know (and if you don't, know now!) that has never been how corporate worlds work.

You have to play the part. You have to look keen, sound keen, put yourself forward. You have to parrot management speak and bliue sky thinking.

If a company doesn;t promote you in a timely manner when you are playing their game, you move to a similar company and if you loved the first company, apply for a further promotion back with them as vacancies arise. There is an art to getting to the top of your career trajectory. Personally, I can't be arsed with it. I enjoy the level I am at and prefer being in direct contact with clients rather than managing staff and attending meetings. But if it matters to you, read up on a few how-to-succeed-at-work books or blogs and start applying the advice.

It's a bit concerning that the last lack of promotion put you into a depression. They will be looking for resilience, and the higher you climb, a rather tough attitude, able to make unpopular decisions or ride internal departmental storms. Start showing some of that grit at work and start letting people know you are ready for promotion and put yourself out there, in this company and apply for next level jobs elsewhere.

Not exactly the same but my ex manager promoted my colleague who was seen as more junior. I ended up finding another job somewhere else.

You do realise in life that if you want something, you have to go out and get it?

You aren't handed promotions on a plate.

Apply, that could suit everyone as it would mean the junior person could be promoted to your role

There is absolutely nothing wrong in enjoying your role, being productive and not wanting to head onto management. People like this are valuable in companies.

And those who are driven to keep moving up and take on the challenges to become leaders are also valuable.

It's a balance

Your colleagues desire to take a step up is not a reflection on you. It is their wants and needs.

If you aren’t willing to also apply, there’s not really a lot to say. Workplace promotions should never be based on years of service imo, but the amount of effort someone is willing to put into that position. If the person below you is showing more potential or enthusiasm for said promotion, then that’s how it’s done.
Put your own name in for it and apply alongside your co-worker.