Q & A Table of Contents
I'm Expecting A Promotion, But Can't Get It To Happen
From: Tracey, Detroit, Michigan
Question: I have asked for a promotion out of state with the publishing department of my company. I know there is a promotion in store for me, but I feel they are holding out. I have discussed my aspirations with the Vice President of Directory Operations and with my immediate boss {she asked me about staying here in Michigan and I told her I would consider any offer in this field}. She has discussed these concerns with her boss also. Everyone is impressed with my performance. However, I feel I'm not getting anywhere unless I press the issue. How can I get the spark to start a fire?
Response: You need to take a look at your priorities. Why do you want a promotion: more pay, different responsibilities, different colleagues at work, an ego boost, an opportunity to live someplace else? Any of those reasons is good; the important thing is to figure out which is most important to you and why.
The next step is to look at the objectives of the people who have a decision-making role in your career. You can ask them questions to find out whether your assumptions about their objectives are accurate. Don't ask questions that can be answered 'yes' or 'no'; that won't yield you the kinds of answers that give you an opportunity to learn what motivates other people.
Your questions should not focus on 'what are you doing for me?'. Rather you should be trying to learn what other folks want for themselves, their departments, the company. The more you learn about those issues, the better you'll be able to suggest ideas to them that show a responsiveness to what's important to them.
At the same time it could make sense to examine your ability to find appealing work at another company. It may be a company similar to your current one, but in a different location. Or you may want to change the substantive focus of your career. This research will give you an idea of the job market and the relative strength of your bargaining position. Find out whether there is a particular chronology to the promotion process in your company and whether you are asking to be an exception to the rule. People are often threatened when asked to do something that differs from 'standard operating procedure'.
Ask lots of questions and you will learn what is most likely to be convincing to the folks you need to convince.
Good luck,
Steve
| 
