When to give up on a particular career plan?

[Lisaann83]

I’ve reached a point where I’m ready to move up a level but am getting conflicting feedback. My team members and line manager and senior manager are always saying I’m ready and telling me to go for the roles without me even mentioning it. I finally listened and went for one interview and although I didn’t get it my feedback was very good, basically I was just pipped to the post by another candidate and strong enough that the manager of the vacancy called the manager of another region to recommend me without me even asking. I waited a while and built up my experience further. I applied for the same role facing the manager I was recommended to. During interview feedback while they said I definitely met the bar and shouldn’t give up they said competition was so strong for these roles and they had a lot of sideways movers applying which I had observed were getting the posts too (people already at same salary band instead of people moving upwards through the pay bands). They thought I needed to build up more experience to be able to outperform the sideways movers because of the limited on recruitment numbers at present. Another interviewer for an assignment didn’t even shortlist me for interview (they capped interviews to 4 because of the volume of applicants). I’m basically wondering if I should start looking at roles in another organisation. That would be a huge hassle, especially because of where I live is quite rural and this place works well for accessing my childcare. I can’t go too far afield and am really limited in flexibility with the kids. It’s just annoying some are saying I’m there and others saying I’m not quite. Realise this is probably normal but what do people do with the mixed feedback? Would this be sufficient for you to change track at this point? In your experiences, how long have you given it before changing approach? Thanks

How old are the kids? How much is the upwards move worth? I'd either hang on until the kids get to an age where they don't need as much childcare or I'd go for roles outside the organisation if the pay was enough to make up for the childcare issues e.g. if it meant you could get a nanny/longer hours for a childminder. New employers might be more willing to work around you e.g. compressed hours, working from home etc potentially making the childcare burden easier as well? No harm in looking though.

It sounds like everyone thinks you are ready to do the next step up, but there is lots of competition for the role so it is hard to be 'number 1' in interviews. I guess you have to decide what is more important for you, promotion or the current convenient setup you have.

I am in a similar-ish situation. I have been told by several managers that I could do their job and that I have been ready for promotion for several years, but no jobs have come up. Even if a job comes up, there are several others in a similar position, so no guarantee I'd get the job. I have decided for now that I (mostly) enjoy my job and it is convenient, so I'm OK with not progressing. Possibly in a few years I will feel differently and apply elsewhere.