Advice Re: Promotion

[Jules]

Today, I was called into the BigBoss' office. I almost crapped my pants because I thought I screwed something up. Lol. Can you say guilty conscience?!

Anyway... My supervisor retires the end of the year, the current assistent was offered the supervisor position and I was offered the assistant supervisor position.

Part of me is excited, hey, it's always awesome to be recognized, and it's a pay increase as well. Part of me does not want to deal with the political stuff that goes on behind the curtains... And a major factor is that I just started not even a year and a half ago, I'm still learning certain things about the office and there have been at least 3 co-workers who have been there for years (one for 5, the other two for 20) and are practically debating which one of the three will get the position. I know for a fact there will be a lot of bs going on if I take the job, I rely on one of them for some work related advice at times, and I know she will be extremely hurt and end up being rude to me.

I'm just not sure what I want to do. I am an ambitious person... I just don't know if this is what I want, especially considering how much my co-workers' attitude might change towards me.

It just felt really good typing this all out, I recently added two co-workers on my fb, so ranting there is now out of the question.... Cookies for words of wisdom!

 

[JessLough]

Do you like the company? Do you want to be there for years to come? If so, can you comfortably live with where you are for years to come? You don't know when the next opportunity for advancement will come -- and when it does, if you say no now, they may skip over you thinking you're not interested in the position anyway. Are you ok with that possibility? I think you need to just really decide which is more important to you -- advancing in the company, or friendship with co-workers. There's probably a reason why they didn't ask your co-workers... so what's to say that they'll ask one of them next?

I was kind of in the same position not long ago. My boss had to have an emergency operation, and would be off for at least 3 months, so somebody had to step up to her position. I was the newest one in the company, and yet they chose me, cause they knew I could do it, and I could do it well. I had one co-worker, inparticular, who didn't take it well -- she basically stopped talking to me completely, despite supposedly really caring about me and everything. I know that if the higher-ups thought she was the best for the position, they would have offered it to her first. They didn't though, and I really had no control over who they asked. If I said no, they would have hired somebody else temporarily.

I guess... iunno. That wasn't really helpful. I guess you just need to think about where you are in the company and if you are comfortable there, and make your decision then. I'm sure they put thought into it and there was reason why they chose you over one of the others, and I think instead of being sorry for your coworkers not being offered, you should be proud. You showed them you are best to do a "harder" job, despite not being in the company for as long! Another thought they may have had... is depending on the age of the coworkers who have been there for 20 years, they want somebody who will be there for a while, rather than will be leaving in a matter of years and they'd have to redo the whole process all over again

 

[yoko]

I had this happen not too long ago.

I'm not new by any means but there were people who had been there longer than me and I got offered to work with a different group.

I really wanted to take it but if I accepted I wanted it to work in my favor. So I turned it down saying that I was still learning and felt like some of the people who had been there longer might be a better fit at this time. But I made it VERY clear I was interested next time it came around.

I'm about to move over now and instead of having issues with that group like the girl who jumped on it did I'm moving over to an entire group that is supporting me moving and even spoke up to make sure I got the spot.

If you don't care about work harmony then I'd say jump on it. It's a pay increase and honestly who cares what they think.

If you don't NEED the pay increase maybe pass it up and use this to build up support for the next time. I'm on track to eventually be the department manager. And even though the department is notorious for having issues with supervisors I have full support from everyone including most of the issue people.

Just to give a little perspective even though I think your coworkers sound kind of petty. If I was a good worker and had been with a company a long time and knew the ins and outs of the job and they offered it to someone who didn't I know I'd probably be pretty hurt.

 

[Jules]

Thank you for the advice, guys. It's not a place I want to stay for the rest of my career... But I'd like to stay another couple years.

Harmony is a big concern of mine... But I am also not sure how soon the opportunity would come up again. The money, while nice, is not a necessary factor. I think I'll talk it over with my boss tomorrow again. I think because my coworker is somewhat petty, I was offered the position. I think they might want a fresh slate with someone who does not backstab, but can get along with everyone.

 

[joce]

Take it. You never know when something else will come up and throw off how everyone gets along. It may not come up again for you.

 

[Gempress]

I would take it in a heartbeat. The position is going to be filled. The only thing up in the air is if it's going to be you or someone else. If your coworkers all get along with you, I'm sure they'd rather you get the job than some outsider who they couldn't get along with.

I understand your interest in keeping harmony. But harmony isn't solely up to you. For all you know, another new worker or boss could join your company six months later and disrupt everything anyway. A higher-ranking position also looks better on your resume. It may be the factor that earn you your dream job in the future.

 

[JessLough]

Oh yah, I tend to forget about workplace harmony and all that crap, cause at the end of the day, I work alone, I just have to see coworkers at shift change and when both bars are open and I need change.

 

[Laurelin]

I would take it. Very easily.

 

[yoko]

Oh yeah if you don't plan on staying I'd take it so I'd be able to write down a higher position on a resume.

 

[Kilter]

If you feel comfortable, mention that the co-worker that is likely to be petty about it thinks they are up for it, and ask your boss if they'll speak to them if it becomes an issue.

Take the promotion and go for it. If the petty person gives you a hard time, just say that you did not ask for the promotion but assume that your boss had their reasons and they should take it up with them. And then smile.

 

[Renee750il]

Honestly, Jules, from my experience in law office environments, you pretty much HAVE to take it or you'll get eaten alive. Word WILL get out that it was offered to you and even if you turn it down you'll have a target on your back, especially for whoever wound up taking it instead of you.

And, it'll look good when you change jobs.

 

[Bailey08]

I can't recommend that you take a job that you think would make you miserable. So if you think that it would, I don't see why you have to do that to yourself.

BUT, in addition to the promotion itself, it's a good opportunity to learn how to manage people (and, if you're ambitious, you'll end up doing that soon enough anyway ). Maybe give some thought as to how you can bring your coworkers on board and engage them.

Congratulations on the offer in any event!

 

[Doberluv]

Go for it with gusto, I say!:thumbup: Good luck!

 

[Miakoda]

If you decline, you may be perceived as being disinterested in your job, and that could come back to bite you in the rear later. Chances are you won't ever be offered a raise or promotion from here on out.

As for harmony, that will probably go out the window anyway, but mainly because it sounds like it really doesn't exist. Harmony isn't everyone being happy because a certain person is allowed to feel as if she's better than everyone else. If either of the other two people get it, it could very well go to their head and cause problems, except you will be in the lower position (therefore having to deal with more issues).

I say take it, regardless of how long you wish to stay with the company. And like someone said, promotions look wonderful on resumes.

 

[ACooper]

I say there have been some good points brought up. You may need to do a pros/cons list.........get it down on paper (or screen) in order of importance to YOU and actually compare.

It's terrible when (seemingly) good fortune comes with sharp double edges! Good luck!

 

[Jules]

You guys have helped me so much <3

Partially confirming a lot of my thoughts, bringing up new arguments and making me look at things from a different side. I spoke with my boss briefly today and I am pretty sure I'll take it. It was a "committee" of a few people going through and thinking about who would be suited best... And there must be a reason they thought of me my job won't really change, I'll just be included in background decisions, hiring etc. It'll be a good experience.

 

[Dizzy]

Take it. I've learnt being a martyr in work gets you nowhere!

 

[Miakoda]

You guys have helped me so much <3

Partially confirming a lot of my thoughts, bringing up new arguments and making me look at things from a different side. I spoke with my boss briefly today and I am pretty sure I'll take it. It was a "committee" of a few people going through and thinking about who would be suited best... And there must be a reason they thought of me my job won't really change, I'll just be included in background decisions, hiring etc. It'll be a good experience.

You're right. There is a reason, and you stepping up justifies their reasoning. Congrats!