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#Post#: 13102--------------------------------------------------
So, what's going on with my promotion? UPDATE #11, OP #34, UPDAT
E #36!
By: jpcher Date: September 5, 2018, 5:53 pm
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In gentle words, I'd like some thoughts on how to politely pose
this question to my new, interim, direct report.
Long BG, sorry, but I thought the info would be pertinent. Feel
free to skip to my question below. ;)
BG: My manager (Karla) left the building a couple of weeks ago.
I now report to Kathy, Karla's director, until a new manager is
hired (which could take months).
Prior to Karla's departure she was working on a promotion for
me. This started back in January during my annual review. At
that time she told me that she would like to schedule the
promotion for August because if she lumped my promotion in with
my annual salary increase (in March) it would be less money.
I've been told this before, so I agreed.
During the past months Karla's been giving me updates. She's
asked key people that I've worked with for supporting
statements, all glowing. She told me she asked some higher-ups
if they would get involved and push for me and also said that
Kathy and Kathy's director were in agreement. So everything's
good and going forward.
Then Karla resigned. Before my promotion went through. A couple
of days before she left she told me that she gave Kathy all the
pertinent files/details and that I need to push for the
promotion.
Directly reporting to Karla, now to Kathy, are 3 other designers
in various locations across the country, myself (in the same
location with Karla) and a Manager of a team of 16 designers,
word processors, and other support members (located at the
division's headquarters).
What Karla should not have told me before she left was that out
of all the people mentioned above, I am at the lowest grade
level for my position. She apologized for not paying attention
to the grade levels in the past when I started asking for a
promotion (3-4 years ago!) At that time she told me, repeatedly,
that promotions were absolutely not going to happen (according
to upper management). She admitted that she was concentrating so
hard on keeping her own head above water that she neglected me
because I was such a dependable, hard worker and was always
there when she needed me.
Sigh. It's a good thing that I love my job.
Kathy was on vacation for the first week after Karla left and I
didn't want my initial conversation with her to be "So, what's
going on with my promotion?" Didn't feel it was right to start
with that, there were other more immediate concerns that the
team and Kathy had to deal with. It wasn't until mid week last
week that Kathy called a meeting of the core team (3 other
designers, myself and Manager) mostly about how jobs were
assigned, work-load, etc.
We had another team meeting yesterday (which I think will be
weekly) so that everybody could share what's on their plate.
Kathy seems to be very open to thoughts and often suggested "If
you need any help with that project, please let me know."
Kathy also mentioned scheduling one-on-one's with us but said
that she wasn't sure when those would happen but she would make
time for anybody on the team if they had any immediate questions
or concerns. Remember she's working two large positions right
now, her director position plus managing Karla's team.. Yikes!
I only met Kathy once before via one-on-one when she became
Karla's director about 1-1/2 years agoendBG
So on to my question . . . I'm drafting an email to Kathy about
my promotion and would like to hear your thoughts (It's very
clunky, I think. I'm not a writer ::)):
"Hi Kathy!
It was a pleasure meeting with you the last couple of times. I
think that with your guidance our team will continue to grow. I
appreciated your thoughts about the team handling our own
schedules (updating you weekly) and especially your trusting our
design ability and not having to pass the smaller projects
through you for approval. As you requested, with any large
design projects, I will gladly pass them to you for your
approval before sending them on to the customer.
During our last meeting you mentioned one-on-ones. I would like
to get together with you sooner, rather than later, concerning
the promotion that Karla has been working on for me. Karla told
me that she has been talking with you and that she sent you all
the details with recommendations, paperwork, etc.
Karla's kept me updated throughout the process and I would very
much like for the momentum to continue.
Please let me know your thoughts. I'm open to your schedule."
What do you think? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! ;D
#Post#: 13106--------------------------------------------------
Re: So, what's going on with my promotion?
By: Hanna Date: September 5, 2018, 6:32 pm
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I would be more “right to the point”. (Because that’s what I
like when people write me.)
Here is my version:
Hi Kathy,
Karla told me before she left that she spoke with you regarding
my pending promotion. Is it possible for us to meet and discuss
the status?
Thank you,
jpcher
#Post#: 13109--------------------------------------------------
Re: So, what's going on with my promotion?
By: Pattycake Date: September 5, 2018, 7:03 pm
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I agree with Hanna. I was trying to reword your note, but it
comes out sounding much like Hanna's! I might reverse it -
"Is it possible for us to meet soon regarding my pending
promotion? I understand that Karla had spoken to you regarding
it, and I would like to know where things stand now."
Your first paragraph is too much like buttering her up, and the
last couple too much like you are telling her what she needs to
do (Karla kept me updated; you need to do the same / tell me
your thoughts.) And she's your boss, of course you are open to
her schedule.
#Post#: 13114--------------------------------------------------
Re: So, what's going on with my promotion?
By: guest657 Date: September 5, 2018, 7:49 pm
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I agree with Hannah. There's no reason to be tentative. You're
just setting up a meeting, be straightforward and keep it short.
Talking about your career advancement is a normal part of
working. This meeting is not some kind of special favor.
#Post#: 13125--------------------------------------------------
Re: So, what's going on with my promotion?
By: guest24 Date: September 6, 2018, 3:46 am
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I would include the name of promotion/ Level/Grade. Kathy seems
to be extremely busy and may not know or has forgotten WTH you
are talking about.
Be prepared for her to say that nothing will happen until a
replacement for Karla has been found.
#Post#: 13134--------------------------------------------------
Re: So, what's going on with my promotion?
By: Rose Red Date: September 6, 2018, 8:37 am
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I agree with the poster who stated the original letter sound
like you're trying to butter her up. If I were the boss, I would
started skimming after the first few sentences.
Go with polite, short, and to the point.
#Post#: 13142--------------------------------------------------
Re: So, what's going on with my promotion?
By: bopper Date: September 6, 2018, 9:31 am
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HTML https://www.askamanager.org/2015/01/my-boss-was-about-to-promote-me-but-just-got-fired-i-cant-afford-my-coworkers-fancy-retirement-dinner-and-more.html
HTML https://www.askamanager.org/2018/04/wheres-the-promotion-i-was-promised-months-ago.html
HTML https://www.askamanager.org/2012/09/i-was-promised-a-raise-and-promotion-3-years-ago.html
#Post#: 13184--------------------------------------------------
Re: So, what's going on with my promotion?
By: jpcher Date: September 6, 2018, 4:34 pm
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I agree with the comments about the first paragraph sounding
like I'm buttering her up. I thought of that as I was drafting
and am very glad that I posted here before I sent that long
winded email out.
Short and sweet. Yup. I get it . . .
[quote author=Rose Red link=topic=654.msg13134#msg13134
date=1536241037]
If I were the boss, I would started skimming after the first few
sentences.
[/quote]
Excellent point. Thanks.
[quote author=Hanna link=topic=654.msg13106#msg13106
date=1536190356]
I would be more “right to the point”. (Because that’s what I
like when people write me.)
Here is my version:
Hi Kathy,
Karla told me before she left that she spoke with you regarding
my pending promotion. Is it possible for us to meet and discuss
the status?
Thank you,
jpcher
[/quote]
I really like this. Thank you.
bopper -- Thanks for the links. Very informative and interesting
read. ;D
#Post#: 13524--------------------------------------------------
So, what's going on with my promotion? New question #8
By: jpcher Date: September 11, 2018, 6:21 pm
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I'm thinking about talking points now and would appreciate your
help. Kathy replied that she will set up a 1 on 1 to discuss,
and I've never really been in a situation where I need to
promote myself to a stranger.
My thoughts:
1. Last promotion was 10ish years ago.
2. I believe that promotion consideration should include all of
the accomplishments since the last promotion instead of just
"what have you done in the past year."
3. Since my last promotion, when Karla first came on board, I
was team lead, assigned jobs to a team of 5 and handled
day-to-day managerial tasks for 6 months so that Karla was able
to familiarize herself with the company's ins-and-outs. All of
our team was on the same grade level at that time.
4. There are a lot of success stories I can tell from the past
about how I made a mark on efficiency, what I've learned, etc.
but in the last year or two I've just been a work monkey,
because it's only been me on the job. Absolutely no extra time
for classes or self improvement.
5. It really bothers me that Karla told me that all of the other
people, under her management at different sites, are a grade
level higher than I am. I'm not saying that I'm better than them
but I should be, at the very least, equal to them. . . . is
this something that I should bring up? If so, how?
I dunno. I'm very happy with my position, enjoy my work life but
after 36 years on the job I would like to go out at the top
grade level. And, you know, the extra money wouldn't hurt.
Any thoughts from you all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
#Post#: 13532--------------------------------------------------
Re: So, what's going on with my promotion?
By: NyaChan Date: September 11, 2018, 7:25 pm
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I would not talk about it in terms of evening out grades as
indicated in your last point. I know it’s frustrating, but the
best argument is that you are worth the new title/money because
of the work you do regardless of what anyone else is doing.
It might also help if you put together a short sheet of
accomplishments or your work history in case it is something she
is now necessarily aware of. That’s something she can take with
her to review as she may not make a decision in the room with
you. Good luck to you, I hope they properly recognize your hard
work!
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