Working Moms

Asking for a promotion - success stories?

Hey ladies! I've been with the same company for 4 years and it was my first full time job out of grad school. I started off with a decent salary and have gotten cost-of-living minimal increases every year, however I'm still technically in an entry level position and I'm 29 with a master's degree in my field. I have learned a tremendous amount on the job and my quality of work is on a completely different level now that I'm experienced compared to where I started. I have a performance review on Thursday and I really want to ask for a promotion. I'm not sure if this is the right timing though as I have a 4 month old and was out on maternity leave for 10 weeks this summer/fall.
Other relevant details:
Our company has been having record setting profits the past 2 years and stock is up over 50%
This is a male dominated industry with not a lot of female representation in the senior or manager level.

Should I go for it if I feel strongly that I deserve it? Or does the recent maternity leave negate that? Any tips on asking for the promotion? Thank you!!!

Re: Asking for a promotion - success stories?

  • 82Sonia82Sonia member
    edited November 2013
    deleted - commented on wrong post 

     

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  • Have you taken on additional responsibility since you were hired?  At my company, that's kind of how it works... you show that you can do more, and you're rewarded.  It doesn't have to be a ton of extra stuff.  Have you improved processes?  Found a hole in the group and filled it?  If you can demonstrate that, I would think you'd have a good case for a promotion.

    Good luck!
  • Virgo17Virgo17 member
    edited November 2013
    I don't think I would flat out ask for a promotion as much as I might plant the seed.  I work for a public university and we cannot create a position out of thin air in order to promote someone.  However, when something comes available, we may encourage those who have expressed an interest in advancing to apply for the position.

    I would let your supervisor know that you feel like you have really increased your skill set since starting with the company and are interested in moving to the next level in the near future. 

    If you do ask for a promotion, you need to be prepared to give examples of projects, business processes, etc. you could manage at a higher level.  In other words, they won't give you a huge raise based on your skill set.  You need to define what additional work/responsibilities you would have to justify that higher salary.

    Also, maternity leave doesn't have anything to do with it.  I came back after Labor Day from having my third baby and a got a raise two weeks later.  It obviously had been in the works before then, but maternity leave had no bearing.
  • Keep in mind, a promotion is not a reward for doing good work.  It is an acceptance of a greater level of responsibility.  Yes, more compensation usually comes along with that, but it is about you doing more for the company, not the company doing more for you.

    That said, if you are ready to take on more and do more, definitely bring that up and make specific suggestions of things you would be willing to own or take the lead on in order to help your department/group/office move forward.
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  • My manager is a complete control freak and rarely gives me and my counter part any responsibility. As an example his wife had their first baby this spring and he took TWO days off work when we weren't even busy. Me and my counter part are more than willing and able to take on added responsibility (and I have mentioned several times that I desperatley want to) but he seems unwilling to relinquish power. An example of this is that he doesn't like for us to work directly with customers on projects. He wants all communication, etc to filter through him which is completely unnecessary and ineffective. I have exhibited leadership and success in the few instances where I am given the opportunity: i.e. I handle all the recruiting for interns. I'm being held back by his lack of trust and willingness to delegate responsibilty.
  • I was hoping a promotion would lead to greater responsibilites! I'm trying to make the most of this job because I like the work, just not the manager....
  • K3am said:
    jschmidt6 said:
    My manager is a complete control freak and rarely gives me and my counter part any responsibility. As an example his wife had their first baby this spring and he took TWO days off work when we weren't even busy. Me and my counter part are more than willing and able to take on added responsibility (and I have mentioned several times that I desperatley want to) but he seems unwilling to relinquish power. An example of this is that he doesn't like for us to work directly with customers on projects. He wants all communication, etc to filter through him which is completely unnecessary and ineffective. I have exhibited leadership and success in the few instances where I am given the opportunity: i.e. I handle all the recruiting for interns. I'm being held back by his lack of trust and willingness to delegate responsibilty.
    This doesn't sound like the situation where you ask for a promotion, this sounds more like a situation where you move on. 
    This.  Nothing worse than a micromanager.
  • jschmidt6 said:

    I was hoping a promotion would lead to greater responsibilites! I'm trying to make the most of this job because I like the work, just not the manager....

    Is this the type of company where you can apply to transfer to a new position internally and move up to a higher level in the process? If not, then I'd probably ask for a promotion, and if they say no then I'd look elsewhere.

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  • jf198400 said:

    jschmidt6 said:

    I was hoping a promotion would lead to greater responsibilites! I'm trying to make the most of this job because I like the work, just not the manager....

    Is this the type of company where you can apply to transfer to a new position internally and move up to a higher level in the process? If not, then I'd probably ask for a promotion, and if they say no then I'd look elsewhere.

    I would have to move. This is a small branch of a large company.
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