Passed Up For Promotion

[tgizzard]

Question and Vent session for whoever is interested.

Back story, I have been working at the same Engineering firm for the past 10 years, with the exception of a seven month hiatus back in 2014. I have received outstanding yearly reviews every year that I have been with the company and I have been singled out for praise by more than one of our clients on numerous occasions.

With that said, I found out today that I was skipped over for a promotion to Project Scientist and that the spot was filled by a co-worker who has worked at our company for a shorter time and has a lot less experience then I do.

Needless to say; I was shocked, pissed, and pretty angry when I heard the news. To top it all off, I just had my yearly review this past Tuesday and in it, my boss dropped a hint that I would be getting the promotion.

I have no ill-will to the co-worker who received the promotion; I get along with her and the rest of the people I work with. However, she is a bit of a loud mouth and is constantly going on and on about "fairness" to woman in the workplace. She complains about everything, is the first to say "not me" when we are asked to volunteer or help out on an unfavorable project, and has driven someone to quit and look for another job.

I say all that to say, I am the complete opposite at work. I'm starting to think my easy going attitude and "no problem I'll help" approach to things is why I ultimately got overlooked for this promotion. A buddy of mine said the squeaky wheel always gets the oil and he ain't wrong.

Has something like this happened to any of you and how did you handle it? I'm not about to go all F*** you on my boss or anyone at work, but I'm genuinely pissed off about this. So much so that I left work early today and took a personal day tomorrow, something I never do.

Anyway any advice is welcome.

[Renegade]

It seems from what you say, you have no advancement potential in that firm. Only you can decide what your next move is. As for me, if I do not think I am valued, compensated properly, or treated fairly I change jobs and do not look back.

[Bulletdog]

I can see the problem: You didn't know about the dead hooker in the bosses trunk, and she did.

Seriously though, what power is she holding over the decision makers?

My strategy in things like this is to simply and frankly talk about it. Not whining and complaining, but asking for a simple explanation of how and why they made that decision when you clearly had the edge in many ways. Sometimes you don't get a good answer, and sometimes you do. Depending on your demeanor, this can also send a message that they are messing with the wrong person. Sometimes that helps and sometimes it hinders. Judgement call.

[PatrioticDisorder]

If I do not think I am valued, compensated properly, or treated fairly I change jobs and do not look back.

This, I put my 90 day notice in earlier in the month, found a position locally where I will be earning much more. OP, I suggest doing the same.

[flenna]

It seems from what you say, you have no advancement potential in that firm. Only you can decide what your next move is. As for me, if I do not think I am valued, compensated properly, or treated fairly I change jobs and do not look back.

This. I did that last year and now make more money, am valued, have better hours and am closer to home.

[kerplode]

I'm starting to think my easy going attitude and "no problem I'll help" approach to things is why I ultimately got overlooked for this promotion. A buddy of mine said the squeaky wheel always gets the oil and he ain't wrong.

This has been my experience as well. If you're the guy that's always there to help, you'll get the shit detail jobs nobody else wants as your primary assignment, and the people you help with their tasks will take full credit for your work. In the end, you'll bubble down to the bottom of the rankings.

If you stay there, you need to look after yourself. At the end of the day, your co-workers don't give a shit about your success, so don't help them achieve theirs any more than is absolutely necessary.

Honestly, though, with 10+ years experience you shouldn't have much trouble finding a spot somewhere else (and probably with better pay and benefits). Something to think about.

[26 Inf]

Not knowing your feelings about the job and the company you work for, plus no idea of the company culture, it is hard to suggest to you what your best approach might be in talking to management.

Another thing that I don't know is whether there was an application and interview process, or was it strictly management choice.

In any case, if I wanted to continue in the company I would want to talk at least one level above the boss who hinted you would be in line for the job. I would explain that I was serious about a career with the company, that based on the accolades I had received thought I was on the right track, and would like to know what shortcomings kept me from getting the promotion so that I could work opn those aspects of my professional competence.

If I had'nt envisioned a long-term career with the company, I'd just keep my yap shut and leave, minimum notice, but be classy until the end of your tenure.

I had a good friend who was a detective, she got passed over because she was kind of housewife looking and the other gal competing for the job wasn't afraid to put her assets forward, but strategic yawning and stretching.

Sometimes that is the way things happen. Let them know in a nice way you are disappointed, then rock on, or keep quiet, be a good employee worth every penny they pay you then leave.

[SteyrAUG]

It seems from what you say, you have no advancement potential in that firm. Only you can decide what your next move is. As for me, if I do not think I am valued, compensated properly, or treated fairly I change jobs and do not look back.

Everything I was going to say nearly verbatim.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

All depends on how plu&play your skill set is and how many positions there are out there. The economy is about to tip over for the first time in a decade. Make sure your new (and your current position) are truly stable. You don’t want to walk into a LIFO situation.

You have to talk to your boss about why the position wasn’t yours. Don’t be angry about it, but look them in the eye and don’t let them weasel out of the answer. Hold them accountable.

One thing that I talk to new people about is that they need a “Patron Saint”. It may be your boss, it may be someone above them and even in a different command line. You need someone that has real power and the ability to make and if not make, block decisions that will tend to favor you. A Patron Saint is not just some with a highe position, it is someone that makes the company what it is. And Patron Saints get martyred from time to time too- but they are guarnateed and after-life, one where you might get invited too.

As someone with 20 years at one company, you’ve stayed too long with out a clear cut path of what is ahead. Be a franchise player and get treated like one, or find another team to play for. I’m in an odd situation, so I max’d My happiness rather than dollar count. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t.

[soulezoo]

Everything I was going to say nearly verbatim.

Ditto