Quantcast
Promised promotion never came through – Metro US

Promised promotion never came through

Does your boss talk about giving you a promotion, but never quite gets around to making it happen? It’s probably time to look for work elsewhere.

Q: I’ve been in an intermediate position since I was employed six years ago. My twice-yearly performance reviews were very good and my manager recommended me for promotion twice, in writing, to be in a senior position since October 2005. Basically, she needs to fill in a promotion form and submit it to her superior. However, until now she has not done it. I asked my supervisor three times about my promotion being forwarded to her superior, but my supervisor said that her answers were “later.” Therefore, I made a decision to find another job in a senior position, because I think this promotion is not going to happen.

However, in my resumé I cannot write my current position as “senior” because it is not, even though I have been taking on more advanced tasks and responsibilities over the past four years. So my question is, can I show my performance reviews and my manager’s written recommendations to potential job interviewers? Thanks for your advice.

A: Thanks for writing in, Stevan. I think you’ve done the right thing to pursue other opportunities because regardless of how supportive your supervisor has been of your pending promotion, when it comes to her formally sealing the deal by submitting the promotion form, it appears she’s not standing behind her enthusiastic words.

I’m sure she’s as busy as the next person, but quite frankly, now it’s getting in your way of a) having your rightful title and b) potentially an increase in pay should the new position have some additional perks.

It’s not the nicest thing to have to remember, but you’ve always got to be mindful of some employers who will present employees with more responsibilities because they are such good employees and can handle it but will refrain from promoting them simply to save from having to deal with pay increases. As for bringing in performance reviews and recommendations to a job interview this is a great idea.

Stevan, I’ve always stood behind bringing in anything to a job interview that you feel can get you that much closer to hearing “You’re hired!” Just be sure that the supervisor is aware of your plans to do so because the last thing you’d need is for her to get a call from a potential employer and not be aware that she was used as a reference. This almost always backfires on the employee.

Q: I’m a high school student who has been working at a fantastic retail position for two-and-a-half years. Just this week I was promoted to managerial status. However, very recently I learned that I am being forced to quit my job to focus on school. I just don’t know how to tell my manager right before the busiest time of the year.

She had such big plans for me, and I am afraid that I’m letting her down. Please advise.

A: I can assure you your boss will understand your position as a student first. Yes, she might be disappointed, but will likely try to accommodate you any way she can if you are upfront and honest with her from today. I know you’re a bit nervous about it, but the longer you wait, the less time she’s got to find a replacement which could really place her at a disadvantage. So talk things over with your parents, and your teachers if need be, and try to strike up a compromise. It might mean that you’ve got to give up the job for a while, show your parents you’re improving at school, then gain it back as a reward. Either way, I’d really like to see you maintaining both school and work. When balanced well, the rewards outweigh all drawbacks.

  • Jill Andrew thanks all Metro readers who came out to support JAM Productions, JAM For Hope’s 1st Annual Curvy Catwalk Fashion Fundraiser. Special thanks to platinum sponsors including OmniTV, Dove, Lacoste, Robin Barker Hair ’Sociates, China Doll and the Fairmont Royal York.

Jill Andrew — CYW, BA, BA (Hons.), BEd. Please include your full name, address and telephone number when e-mailing. All letters are subject to publication.

info@jillandrewmedia.com