When I started this job eight years ago, I made a pretty critical mistake in my first year. It was something I should’ve known better than to do, but there was so much happening at once that I made a gamble and lost.

Since then, I’ve excelled in the role. I’ve become a subject matter expert, I’m relied on by my peers, and I’ve been clear about the role I ultimately want to move into.

Yesterday I learned that I was passed over for promotion once again. I don’t really care about the title itself; the issue is that this promotion is a necessary step to get where I want to go.

It’s become clear that senior leadership has a long memory, and that early mistake continues to define how I’m viewed. I called my boss to ask why I was passed over, and he told me he couldn’t explain it because he isn’t consulted on promotions. Seeing the list of those promoted, one in particular made it obvious this felt personal.

I’m frustrated, especially because the compensation here makes leaving and finding something comparable difficult. I told my boss that I understand the message; that senior leadership doesn’t see me as a fit for the role I’ve been working toward for years.

Overall, it’s been very disappointing. After spending yesterday stewing on it, I’m now shifting gears and starting an aggressive search for a new role. This job is too physically and mentally demanding to continue without knowing my contributions are valued.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ronin1069,

I’m near the end of my career. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t stay as long as I did in jobs that were going nowhere.

Sometimes it was me (my attitude, my skill set) that was the limiting factor and sometimes it was the management above me. In both circumstances, I tended to stay too long in a spot that I KNEW was going to be disappointing or frustrating. Why I didn’t take action sooner has been my biggest professional regret.

I applaud you for making the effort to find somewhere, where your skills and energy will be appreciated. I was passed over many times in a previous career because of my gender. It was blatantly obvious, but nothing was said or done. It is a great way to un-motivate you if allowed.

I’ve seen people leave only to come back later and get what they were rightly due, before they left. Fucking suits man. They suck. So many clinical narcissists in management roles. They seek it out and you have to deal with their drama and bullshit.

Go elsewhere if you can.

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:

I was passed over many times in a previous career because of my gender.

Air Traffic Controllers were evaluated on attributes other than ability and performance? If I were still flying, that would make me nervous. Youse guys did a life or death job for your "customers."

quote:

I called my boss to ask why I was passed over, and he told me he couldn’t explain it because he isn’t consulted on promotions.

That’s an issue. Time to look else where.

That sucks. If you have a fairly sure alternative job somewhere else, they can also get the "I'm going to leave unless..." from you. At that point, no reason not to.

Companies need to learn that, if they don't give good workers a reason to stay, someone else will.

I sought a promotion for years. Literally. What I learned, about myself, is that I must separate my self-assessment from my corporate level. I sought a "senior advisor" level, for years, and finally achieved this. But, peace only occurred when I realized I was secure in God's love, in God's provision, in God's plan, regardless of the corporate assessment. I would stick it out if the money is good, even without the promotion, if possible. Change is hard, change is really hard. New company, new rules, new challenges...not easy. Separate your self-assessment from the company assessment! You are a great person, and offer far more than the typical associate. Rest in God's love and provision, regardless of the company views. He alone will keep you free from harm, and adequately compensated.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I sought a promotion for years. Literally. What I learned, about myself, is that I must separate my self-assessment from my corporate level. I sought a "senior advisor" level, for years, and finally achieved this. But, peace only occurred when I realized I was secure in God's love, in God's provision, in God's plan, regardless of the corporate assessment. I would stick it out if the money is good, even without the promotion, if possible. Change is hard, change is really hard. New company, new rules, new challenges...not easy. Separate your self-assessment from the company assessment! You are a great person, and offer far more than the typical associate. Rest in God's love and provision, regardless of the company views. He alone will keep you free from harm, and adequately compensated.

What he said!!!

A bit of an add on to what 4MUL8R says. About a year ago I started applying for a new position that would allow me to retire with a nice pension and do something very similar to what I was doing. I would also be making the exact hourly wage I was making with a heck of a lot better schedule and within 6 months get a raise giving me a higher hourly rate than I could have made at the old job without promoting.
I was told twice I had gotten the position but then when it came down to it I did not get the position.
I was pretty furious. I honestly don’t think I had ever prayed about one specific thing so much in my entire life. I was praying for God to lead me right but also had made up my mind this position was for me.
I still had people encouraging me to apply if the position opened again. I had pretty much given up, I reached out to the decision maker and asked if I was wasting their time applying.
I was told that I was not so I asked what I could do moving forward to hopefully have a better outcome.
I was told “nothing” that my interviews were excellent and not to change anything. All they could say was the timing was just not right.
So I continued to pray and pray. A position opened again and I was very close to not applying because they could tell me nothing more than the timing was not right.. But I applied again.
Well this time I got the job. Been at the new gig for 5 months now and I look at the folks that got hired the prior times that I applied, while they have it good and I would have enjoyed those positions just fine, I am a hundred times better off than I would have been.

So all I can say is just trust that when it is right, whatever right maybe, God will place you there.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:

I was passed over many times in a previous career because of my gender.

Air Traffic Controllers were evaluated on attributes other than ability and performance? If I were still flying, that would make me nervous. Youse guys did a life or death job for your "customers."

I could tell ya some great stories...

quote:

I’m now shifting gears and starting an aggressive search for a new role.

That's very appropriate, given the message that the current gig just implicitly sent you.

Good luck on the search!

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:

I could tell ya some great stories...

I would like to hear some. Seriously, I would like that. Actually, I have a few, regarding trainees at Sanford (KSFB) tower. Here's one, re Orlando Approach Control: As I taught my students (you undoubtedly teach the same thing), we are required to establish communication prior to entering Class C airspace. I was on my way from Our Little Airport (X04) to Sanford, and as a matter of routine, I waited for a break on the frequency, then announced my position and intention to proceed to Sanford. The controller who responded (female, trainee), told me that I was "cleared into Class C." The supervisor immediately broke in and told me to disregard (there is no such thing as a Class C clearance, all she had to do was acknowledge my transmission and possibly give me a squawk code).

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

I called my boss to ask why I was passed over, and he told me he couldn’t explain it because he isn’t consulted on promotions.

That’s an issue. Time to look else where.

That's such a weasel response from the manager

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

I called my boss to ask why I was passed over, and he told me he couldn’t explain it because he isn’t consulted on promotions.

That’s an issue. Time to look else where.

That's such a weasel response from the manager

Yep. Either it's a lie, or it shows a cracked promotion system not reflecting direct manger's opinions. Neither possibility is good.

Nothing wrong with being upset over being passed over for promotion when you know you were the best qualified candidate for the job. With that said there's nothing wrong with moving on providing you move on for the right reasons. Don't move on because you're angry, if you move on move on because you found a better job that pays better, offers the opportunity to do something you will enjoy and can excel at as well as the potential for advancement. No matter how long you worked at your current job you owe them nothing so its OK to walk in one day, give your 2 week notice and walk out the door.

You owe your current employer nothing more than standard diligence to your duties. Use every other moment to find what is next for you and move on.

One tip: never tell a new employer you are available immediately if you are still employed. That tells the new guy that you have so little respect for the old guy that you won't give appropriate notice.

Even if you intend to walk out with your finger extended on the day you quit, tell the new guy two weeks, and enjoy the vacation.

Same thing happened to me last month. That combined with a number of other things that happened immediately after really made me feel unappreciated and exploited.

With a few weeks of time and reflection, and encouragement from my wonderful wife, I'm doing my best to shift my perspective and realize that the job doesn't define me, and so long as it's providing for my family I should be content.

There is definitely a certain freedom in not having rank or authority, too.

In a previous job, I was a gubment contractor for 21+ years. My position was a technical one, from the perspective of database management, regulatory knowledge, and general engineering skills. I worked for four (4) different contractors during my career, and my overall job was relatively unchanged.

Ironically, although we were contractors, we were set up like a standard military / government hierarchy / chain of command. On paper, my position was supposed to have three other employees under my "command". My job title officially had the term "Manager" included. In reality, it didn't happen; the only person that I managed was myself.

In my current job, I'm just one of the older guys, a "Jack of All Trades" in a way. No subordinates to worry with.

Yup, time to look at other options and say adios MF to this place.