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Promotions

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."


I am employed by a major financial services corporation that has six local branches. I was recently overlooked for the manager position at my office. A form letter I received indicated that a candidate with "more credentials" had been hired. I was told to work hard toward this position and learn from the new manager. However, her experience and knowledge are a fraction of mine. Is it time to move on?
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I was recently promoted to a managerial position, but I am disappointed with the salary increase. The average salary for someone in my position is $16,000 more. I met with my boss and argued for an increase, and he said that he will think about it. It has been a month and I still haven't heard anything. Rumor has it he ignores these types of requests for as long as possible. Any suggestions?
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I have an employee who keeps asking when he is going to be promoted into management. Almost every discussion with him turns to this topic. I have told him that as positions open up, we look internally for qualified individuals first, and he would be considered like everyone else. That is not good enough for him. He just keeps pestering me about this. What can I do?
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I recently promoted an employee to the position of supervisor, and now one of his co-workers is saying that I based my decision on favoritism. Nothing could be further from the truth. I read somewhere that employees who claim favoritism are usually the weakest. Is this true?
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My boss just quit. I was hoping to move into management, and I figured that this would be my time. I was surprised when I heard the company is going outside to find a replacement. When I spoke with the general manager, he said he does not think I am ready for management. Is he actually saying I should look for another job?
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One of the employees I supervise has repeatedly told me and everyone else in the department that he wants my job. I am very tired of hearing this. His work is generally satisfactory, but these comments are not. What should I say to him?
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I am the newest employee in my department, and I believe I have been doing excellent work. When a supervisory position opened up, I was very fortunate and the position was given to me. Now there is serious resentment toward me from several employees who have been here longer. How do I deal with it?
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I always thought I wanted to be in a management position, and I was promoted into one a few months ago. I haven't told anyone, but I don't like it. I want my old job back, but I'm concerned about what my manager will think. What should I do?
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My boss told me that I am trying too hard to get his job, and I should pay more attention to my own work. My work is going well and I don't think it needs any more attention from me. Besides, I thought most bosses want an employee who is motivated to move up. What's my boss's problem?
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I enjoy my work and was recently offered a promotion. I told my boss I wanted to think about the offer. After the weekend, he called me and told me that if I have to think this much about it, then I shouldn't be promoted, so he pulled the offer. I'm glad it came out this way, but I wonder what you think of this treatment.
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I assumed my manager liked me. She has always been friendly to me, and my reviews have been positive. The other day, for no reason, she said I'm not promotable and that I'm just a follower. I was speechless. Now she's nice to me again. Should I say something?
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There is a new position being created in the insurance agency where I work, and I am the most qualified person to get it. The problem is that the owner's daughter wants it. If I don't get it, I will quit. Is this worth mentioning, or should I just let management make their decision and go from there?
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I am being considered for a promotion, and I feel flattered about this. The problem, and I don't like to admit it, is that I am nervous about my ability to handle the position. Do you have any suggestions for a person in my situation?
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I have been with this company for 2 years, and there have been several new openings that I have wanted, but each time they have gone to someone else. My manager has told me that I'm in line for one, but I am never picked. He keeps repeating some old saying about how patience is a virtue. What can you suggest?
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Our boss keeps promoting his girlfriend even though she does less work than the other employees in the department. What's worse, we work in city government, where this sort of thing isn't supposed to happen. What can we do?
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I have applied for a supervisor's position four times, and each time I was denied based on a "predictive tool." This tool gave a report that stated I was unmotivated, have no competitive drive or initiative, and need close supervision at all times. These findings are in direct contrast to my performance reviews during the one-and-one-half years I have worked here. I asked the H.R. manager for more information on the "tool," but he never came through. What is my next step?
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There is one employee who reports to me who keeps asking me when he is going to be promoted. He has been with the company for a few years, but, frankly, he is a long way from being promotable. I keep telling him that we do not have any supervisory positions open now, but I am tired of having him ask me so often. How should I handle this?
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I have been in sales with this company for a few years, and I am one of the better salespeople. My goal is to move into management, but my manager told me yesterday that he does not think I have what it takes to be a manager. I don't know what to make of this or what to do about it. What do you suggest?
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I have an employee who keeps asking when he is going to be promoted into management. Almost every discussion with him turns to this topic. I have told him that as positions open up, we look internally for qualified individuals first, and he would be considered like everyone else. However, he just keeps pestering me about this. What can I do?
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I am an assistant construction manager, and I was passed up on a promotion. They told me that the other person was in the right place at the right time, and I would be given a raise since there was no room for another promotion. It has been six weeks, and I still have not received it. I was told it is on the president's desk. How long should I wait?
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I have a manager who reports to me, and she recently changed her title to "Director." She now tells people that this is her title, but I never agreed to this change. We never even discussed it until I got wind of it from another employee. When I met with her, she said her work is now at a director level, so she should have that title. What do you make of this?
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In my year-end evaluation, my manager said that he does not think I am promotable at this time. When I asked him when he thought I would be ready, he said he does not know. I asked him what I should do to prepare for promotion, and he said that is up to me. What do you suggest?
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I have been with this company for five years, and I was just denied a promotion that went to an employee with one year of experience. When I complained to my manager, he told me I had not shown enough growth, while the person who was promoted did. Should I start looking for another job?
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My manager's political views are very different from mine, and I am concerned that if he finds out, my chances for promotion are going to suffer. Whenever a group of us talk politics, such as at lunch, I nod and say very little. I'm not happy about this, but I don't want to hurt my chances to advance. Is there a better way to handle this?
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My manager is about to be promoted, and he told me to apply for his job. I want the job, but one of my best friends here wants it too, and she asked me not to apply. I don't feel like ruining a friendship, but I don't want to miss an opportunity. What do you suggest?
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I was just promoted over several of my friends, and now they hardly talk to me. I thought they would be happy for me, but I was sure wrong about that. I wonder why I even tried for this promotion. What should I do?
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Over the years, I have promoted various employees, and I just promoted one who is outstanding in terms of her output, attitude, and ability to communicate. There is one longer-term employee who is now accusing me of favoritism because I did not promote her. Her work has not been great, and she knows it, and she has not pursued any supervisory training. What else can I tell her?
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My manager has suggested more than a few times that I promote one particular individual to a new position in my department. He says that she seems like an excellent employee, but she is not my first choice. How should I handle this?
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One of the people who report to me constantly asks me when he is going to get promoted. I don't know when or if he is going to get a promotion, and I have told him to stop asking, but he still persists. How do I get him to stop?
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I have two employees who are doing an excellent job, and I can only promote one of them to a position that is now open. They are both qualified, and I fear that the one who does not get the promotion will leave. How do I figure out who to promote, and what should I do about whoever is not promoted?
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I recently hired an employee who has more knowledge and skills in some parts of the job than I have. My concern is that she might make me expendable. How should I deal with her?
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Our department manager was promoted, and the company replaced her with someone from the outside. At first, the new manager said we have an excellent department, and she would not be making any changes. That lasted for about a week. Now she has changed our assignments, moved us around, and put in new policies that don’t make sense. What can we do?
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I plan to promote one of my employees to a new position in my department. I have one individual who has been here for four years, and she expects the promotion. I have another employee who has been here for one year but is more qualified and does better work. The longer-term employee will be very upset if she does not get the promotion, and she can create many problems throughout the department. Who do you suggest I promote?
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I plan to promote one of my employees to a new position in my department. I have one individual who has been here for four years, and she expects the promotion. I have another employee who has been here for one year but is more qualified and does better work. The longer-term employee will be very upset if she does not get the promotion, and she can create many problems throughout the department. Who do you suggest I promote?
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I am in charge of a department for a large state agency, and my counterpart over a different department retired a year ago. A year ago, my boss offered me the interim position over both departments, and a few months later announced that she was promoting me over both departments. However, a year has passed, and I have approached my boss several times and reminded her about the promotion. I cannot go to the Human Resources Director since he is my boss’s close friend. Is there anything I can do, or is this just a lesson learned?
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A year ago, my manager told me that when a position opened up, I would be promoted. When there was an opening last month, the promotion went to one of my co-workers. I asked my manager about this, and he said he did not remember having offered anything to me. Then he said when the next position opens up, I am in line to get it. Some of my friends told me to get this in writing, but I’m concerned about how my manager might react. What do you think?
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My manager told me that if I expect to be promoted, I should take some supervisory classes. My complaint is that the company is not willing to pay for these classes, and I think it is kind of hypocritical to place this expectation on me. What do you think of this policy?
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During the past year, two of my co-workers have been promoted. I believe I am ready for promotion, and I have expressed my interest to my manager. I discussed this with him after both of the promotions, and he keeps saying that I am in line for a promotion. What can I do to make it happen?
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My manager just informed me that he hired a new person over our department. I thought I was in line for this position, but it’s clear that I have been bypassed. I am furious and ready to quit. Any suggestions?
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For the past three years, I have been working hard at a university as a Game Day Manager. Recently my supervisor was let go, and I applied for the position. There were over 100 applicants, and the person who was hired was a friend of one of the managers. I was just as qualified, and I am frustrated that no consideration was given to my hard work and that there’s no way to advance here. What do you suggest?
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I was recently awarded a position at my workplace, in healthcare. It expands into a different area for me after being in my old position for nine years. To make a long story short, my trainer has been there a few years longer than me, and has been doing the job that I am to be trained in for about three years now. This person was at one time a beginner as well, yet expects me to grab a totally new concept almost immediately after explaining it. If I make an error, I'm reminded by my trainer how critical it is that all information that I input be accurate. I get that!! I know how critical this job is and I'm up to the challenge. However when I'm met with critical and condescending comments and "attitude," it is very discouraging. Just when I'm feeling like I'm doing well (I am given a bit of praise for my progress), I get shot down with a negative/critical comment or behaviour. I don't mind being worked hard when I'm learning new things. I learn better with positive encouragement and attitudes. I relax more and my mind becomes open and more able to grab the new tasks. How do I go into my second week of training and be patient with myself and not take the impatient, negative attitude personally? I'm not one of those people who are awesome right off the bat. Thanks for reading my message!
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