Should I apply for promotion

[Nothernsoulfood]

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice.

I'm currently a mid level manager in the Civil Service SEO. I love my role and I always get wonderful feedback and my Director and Deputy Director are encouraging me to apply for 7 roles in the organization, so the first level of more senior manager. Saying I'm already operating at that level.

I'm truly flattered and part of me likes the idea of a promotion.

But I've talked to a couple of people about available roles and I look at wider cs 7 roles and none really grab me.

The thought of managing large teams and having oversight of a number of things fills me with dread to some degree. Also there are far less Jobs at that grade going and far less I can actually do in my department.

So I would have a choice of around 25 jobs if I wanted a change going fwd and they were available.

When I look at jobs at my current grade there are always ones which excite me in my organization.

They are also much more focused in scope, have a better work life balance and less stress.

Ultimately in a couple of years I could earn about 5k a year more before tax. But I'm lucky I don't need the money.

I'm 43 and I don't know if I have the energy to work at a higher level for 15 years until I want to retire. I also think there's a risk I won't enjoy it.

But part of me loves the fact I am being told I should apply, and maybe I will actually thrive and enjoy.

Just looking for some advice.

Doesn't sound like there's much in it for you? Other than feeling like you should want to. I'd stay put to be honest.

I felt like this and recently stepped up to line management of a small team. They are really hard work and I feel like parent, counsellor, punchbag, dehumanised. They need spoon feeding constantly and are very unreasonable.

BUT like you I decided to do it so that I can step back earlier than my late sixties. I also decided that NOT being senior or line management level has its own stressors so I might as well be at least equally stressed on more money.

I am undecided yet whether I’ve made the right choice. However, the large pension contributions I can now make make me think the trade off will be worth it.

Also, I will say, the most surprising thing is that on the whole people do seem to assume you are capable and question you less just from the simple fact that they know you sit on the senior management team. Which wasn’t a perk I’d really thought about.

I’m a G7 running a large operation and I do love it 90% of the time, but it can be very stressful. Luckily most of my immediate colleagues and LM are supportive, but some above them are difficult and they make our lives very stressful. I stayed at SEO for 15yrs, and don’t regret that due to raising young kids and managing a serious health issue. Maybe in the future you’ll be ready but for now probably best to stay where you are.

Dh and I were both SEO 10 years ago. Both with excellent feedback and very capable. I decided to go for a G7 promotion - and got it. Dh has stayed at SEO level. Sometimes I do wish I’d not moved up. There is a hell of a lot of responsibility. And although there is the extra money, with tax it’s not as much as I thought. Especially considering I have to work 50 hour weeks. DH’s decision was because he really enjoyed the technical job he was doing, he didn’t want to line manage. He’s very well respected as an expert in his field. And is able to just do the work very well that he enjoys. The worst part for him is when he sees rubbish people at G7 level.

It seems like a very small pay increase for a significant increase in responsibilities.

Thanks that's a really good steer. I have been reflecting over the last couple of days and I'm not going to apply.

I know I could do the job, but it's the wrong time. Especially with various things going on in life. Maybe in the future but probably not