Getting the promotion that I want
March 9, 2013 8:56 AM Subscribe
Chance of promotion - how to proceed?
At work there are five of us in the team. I started in early 2012 and became a permanent employee near the end of 2012.
My manager's assistant is leaving the company to work somewhere else.
I am the only internal candidate who can possibly replace her (others in the team don't have the qualifications). This would be a promotion and lead to a payrise.
My manager spoke to me and asked if I would be interested and made it seem like they would give me the job if I wanted it, but then later emailed me a job description and said I could apply for it if I wanted to.
The problem is I enjoy my current role and the new one has quite a few areas that I am not particularly interested in and I'd no longer be doing some of the things I enjoy.
My manager said we could perhaps keep some of my role and I take on some new duties if I move to the new role. But at least initially until another body is brought in I'd have to do those things.
I'm concerned that once I start doing those things, I'll just end up stuck doing them forever!
How can I best negotiate to a) get the promotion b) take on new tasks that I want to do c) keep doing some of the things I am doing now that I enjoy?
(the remaining tasks would then be given to whoever would come into the firm to replace me)
Some of the tasks I don't want to do are also reasons why the girl wanted to leave - should I bring this up to show that it's not just me who isn't keen on these tasks?
Also it would be cheaper for the company to promote me and bring in someone junior rather than bring in someone experienced to replace the girl who is leaving. Can I use this to my advantage? Might this be a reason why they want me to move into the role rather than just because of my abilities? (i.e. saving money could be their primary objective).
At work there are five of us in the team. I started in early 2012 and became a permanent employee near the end of 2012.
My manager's assistant is leaving the company to work somewhere else.
I am the only internal candidate who can possibly replace her (others in the team don't have the qualifications). This would be a promotion and lead to a payrise.
My manager spoke to me and asked if I would be interested and made it seem like they would give me the job if I wanted it, but then later emailed me a job description and said I could apply for it if I wanted to.
The problem is I enjoy my current role and the new one has quite a few areas that I am not particularly interested in and I'd no longer be doing some of the things I enjoy.
My manager said we could perhaps keep some of my role and I take on some new duties if I move to the new role. But at least initially until another body is brought in I'd have to do those things.
I'm concerned that once I start doing those things, I'll just end up stuck doing them forever!
How can I best negotiate to a) get the promotion b) take on new tasks that I want to do c) keep doing some of the things I am doing now that I enjoy?
(the remaining tasks would then be given to whoever would come into the firm to replace me)
Some of the tasks I don't want to do are also reasons why the girl wanted to leave - should I bring this up to show that it's not just me who isn't keen on these tasks?
Also it would be cheaper for the company to promote me and bring in someone junior rather than bring in someone experienced to replace the girl who is leaving. Can I use this to my advantage? Might this be a reason why they want me to move into the role rather than just because of my abilities? (i.e. saving money could be their primary objective).
It sounds to me like you really would like a raise and to be able to keep doing your current job. While I don't blame you at all, I don't think this will likely fly with your manager. S/he is looking for someone to do the assistant job, which includes whatever duties the job entails.
My manager spoke to me and asked if I would be interested and made it seem like they would give me the job if I wanted it, but then later emailed me a job description and said I could apply for it if I wanted to.
I am sure you would be given some kind of preference to outside candidates, and you've already made it past the initial screen, which is a huge advantage, but if you want the job I would definitely treat it as the competitive process it will likely be and not as something you're being handed.
My manager said we could perhaps keep some of my role and I take on some new duties if I move to the new role. But at least initially until another body is brought in I'd have to do those things.
I'm concerned that once I start doing those things, I'll just end up stuck doing them forever!
I would consider this to be a strong possibility. Your manager primarily is looking for someone to do what s/he needs in that role, not for a way to promote/fulfill you and pay you more.
Also it would be cheaper for the company to promote me and bring in someone junior rather than bring in someone experienced to replace the girl who is leaving. Can I use this to my advantage? Might this be a reason why they want me to move into the role rather than just because of my abilities? (i.e. saving money could be their primary objective).
I'm not sure how you know this, but even so, it costs money (and risk) for an employer to hire and train new people. If s/he promotes you and hires for your junior replacement, s/he's training two people who may or may not work out. If s/he just hires for the assistant position and leaves you where you are, that is less training and less of a risk.
Like xingcat said, there are tradeoffs, so you should decide if the new job is something you could do well at and be happy with, above and beyond the money.
Good luck!
posted by loveyallaround at 9:57 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
My manager spoke to me and asked if I would be interested and made it seem like they would give me the job if I wanted it, but then later emailed me a job description and said I could apply for it if I wanted to.
I am sure you would be given some kind of preference to outside candidates, and you've already made it past the initial screen, which is a huge advantage, but if you want the job I would definitely treat it as the competitive process it will likely be and not as something you're being handed.
My manager said we could perhaps keep some of my role and I take on some new duties if I move to the new role. But at least initially until another body is brought in I'd have to do those things.
I'm concerned that once I start doing those things, I'll just end up stuck doing them forever!
I would consider this to be a strong possibility. Your manager primarily is looking for someone to do what s/he needs in that role, not for a way to promote/fulfill you and pay you more.
Also it would be cheaper for the company to promote me and bring in someone junior rather than bring in someone experienced to replace the girl who is leaving. Can I use this to my advantage? Might this be a reason why they want me to move into the role rather than just because of my abilities? (i.e. saving money could be their primary objective).
I'm not sure how you know this, but even so, it costs money (and risk) for an employer to hire and train new people. If s/he promotes you and hires for your junior replacement, s/he's training two people who may or may not work out. If s/he just hires for the assistant position and leaves you where you are, that is less training and less of a risk.
Like xingcat said, there are tradeoffs, so you should decide if the new job is something you could do well at and be happy with, above and beyond the money.
Good luck!
posted by loveyallaround at 9:57 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Part of moving up in any career is taking on some things you don't like to do. While it would be fantastic if we could all work on just the things we like and remove the things we don't, that's really not very realistic.
If you want the pay raise and to advance your career, my advice would be to take on the position as it stands, and excel in it. If you are happier where you are and the only reason you're looking to move up is money, meaning you'd be miserable in the job, don't take it.
posted by xingcat at 9:29 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]