HOW TO ASK FOR A PROMOTION 6

[ELEcontrol3e]

I am working in the MEP field as an engineer. I see some improvements that can be made within the company that I could impliment, especially since I have a much more diverse backgroung that most of the others on my team (who are brilliant specialists)

My real concern is that I do not burn any bridges or cross any real political lines. What is the best way to ask for a position discretely, and without causing a shaking of the boat if they do not give me the position?

thanks in advance

 

[Ashereng]

Do you want the "position" officially, or do you want to do the work?

If it is the former, you may want to bring it up at your annual review under the topic of self improvement, goals, and direction.

If you want to do the work, I find that just simply volunteering usually works. Not too many people turn down volunteers.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[BJC]

Faint heart ner won fair maid.
OR
Squeeky wheel get the grease.
Remember you were looking for a job when you got that one.

 

[corus]

Resign. If they ask why you're leaving then say lack of promotion. If they say they'll consider promotion in the future then pack your bags. If they wish you good luck in your new job then you'd have never been promoted ever.

corus

 

[bvanhiel]

Corus,

If I were your manager, I'd let you go if you just quit without discussing your problems first.

If you've got another job lined up that you like just as much, then you might give this a try. Otherwise it's a huge gamble if your bluffing. I figure your odds are 1 in 5.

The worst part is that even if you pull it off, management will remember how you twisted their arm.

ELEControl3e,

Along a more practical vien, it's much easier to promote you if you're taking on some of the responsibility already. Make your manager aware of what you are doing and why. They'll either see you as a good fit for the role you're proposing, or you'll have to prove it to them over time. Set a timetable, preferably with their buy-in, and if you don't see action on their part you'll know it's time to look elsewhere.

It's usually easier to get promoted when you change companies than from within the same company. Use the experience you gain from "volunteering" on your resume if your own company doesn't come around.

-b

 

[tygerdawg]

ELEControl3e
These woods you're in have nasty beasties, tread lightly.

You may ask, but most likely the only way you'll get a promotion is, if in the eyes of the company management, you "deserve" it. That means different things to different people / managers / co-workers / company cultures. What you may be looking for is to expand your job assignment so that you can have more control over your career. You may want to consider the strategy of learning how to create, document, justify, and submit proposals to your company management that will do the things that you want to do AND make you more "deserving" of that promotion you seek.

TygerDawg

 

[corus]

bvanhiel,
As you say, it's usually easier to get promotion by changing companies rather than staying in the same company. The problem is endemic, probably due to a lack of communication to discuss problems between managers and staff, the them and us attitude, which sadly stems from those above, in my opinion.
From what I've seen in the past, those that ask for promotion are usually just given promises. The jam tomorrow syndrome. These days many companies have given up on promotion as it causes such discontent, and have gone for the 'flat' structure. Basically this means everybody is at the same level, and nobody is going anywhere. The result - discontent.

corus

 

[GregLocock]

I'm astonished to hear that you'd need a promotion to implement changes.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[HVAC68]

Well, just because you think that some improvements can be made and you think that you can implement them, does it qualify for a promotion ? How many years or months have you spent in this company ? Does your manager know your capabilities ?

HVAC68

 

[KENAT]

Prepare a report/presentation with copious bar graphs, pie charts etc based on calculations that make massive assumptions, make the figures look real good for your proposed changes, include all the visual aids & clever gimmicks you can.

Management should fall for it hook line & sinker.

The bad thing is that any self respecting engineer will hate you for being 'one of them'.

Word of warning if you're considering the "taking on some of the responsibility already" option.

If you're already doing it why would they give you a promotion/pay rise to keep doing it?

The art is to do just enough to get their attention without actually doing that much, you could then frame it in the 'imagine how much more I could do if it was my responsibility with the appropriate promotion'.

Good Luck.

 

[corus]

I like KENAI's approach. Better still would be to pepper your conversations to management with such gems as "Have we got leverage on the value stream of this project?" or perhaps "Migrating the KPI ratio prior to cascading the AOP is our best option before rolling out our FTP".
Forget about implementing changes, just talk gobbledygook and you'll be whisked away up to the executive suite before you can say 'our workforce needs synergising'.

corus

 

[tygerdawg]

Oh, darn. My head just exploded. Thanks a lot, CORUS ! My Full-O-Crap-O-Meter just pegged over and the techno-babble quotient went asymptotic again.

TygerDawg

 

[joekm]

My 2 cents:

Ambition and initiative are positive traits, so protray them in a positive light.

1) Make sure your superiors are aware of you career goals as well as your interest to grow your career with them.

2) The trend if for organizational structures to get "more flat". This often results in you having more influence from you current position then you may realize.

3) Stive to be the "go to" guy on least something, this will get you name bounced around.

4) To the extent that your company culture permits it, look and act similar to the managers on staff. If there is a huge disparity of dress, then you may have to split the difference.

5) Get your resume out. If what you are looking for becomes available, then you have some leverage. However, don't make it an ultimatum - ultimatums just about always backfire. Instead, make them aware that you have been trying to grow your career with them (and give them hard examples) but have not been able to achieve you goals thus far. Meanwhile, a competitior wants to offer them the position you've been striving for here. In other words, give them the option to keep you if they really want you and agree that you deserve what you are asking for.

6) Don't bluff, if they balk, you need to take the other gig.



--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein

 

[KENAT]

Thanks Corus, I meant to say to spatter the report with MBA speak & TLA but forgot.

Reading the OP again, I think some clarification on whether you really want a managment position or if you just want the changes implemented and be recognized for it may help direct the advice.

Ken

 

[ELEcontrol3e]

bvanhiel GregLocock HVAC68 especially and to all on this post thanks!,

I let the issue sit a while, and followed the volunteer route. It has already paid off and I've gotten noticed. I think it will be better to wait on the issue until review time, but I will continue with the proactive approach and see where it goes over some time. I think a little patience is in order, in addition to the work.