Career Counselor Robin Ryan Articles

Promotion in Your Future? Find Out

by Robin Ryan

John is a typical career changer in the tech world. Employed as a Hotel Sales Manager and wanting to break into high tech, he went back to school at night, got A+ certified and landed a contractor’s job as a tester at Microsoft. Completing his MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) during his contracting days, John became a permanent employee after fourteen months and has moved up to a “Lead” position.

Is a promotion in his future? His boss thought so, but the idea didn’t percolate. John knew that a move up meant at least 10-20 more hours per week on the job. With his first baby just arriving he detoured any talk of moving up for now. John is a patient man, knowing he can bide his time while adjusting to a new family life.

Steve was an accountant, but not a typical bean counter. With a flair for computer systems, he found himself frustrated when his current firm simply wanted an accountant. He came to me for some career counseling. I encouraged Steve to use both his technical and accounting talents, and to seek out a new firm that was into managing client’s systems.

Steve found a prospering organization and the consulting opportunity he wanted. He soared! He brought in new clients, tackled problems and created systems that were zingers. They promoted him, making him head of the customer service management team. Things were going very well when a client, pleased with what he could do, offered him job as a vice-president job – a big move up -- so he quit and moved on. I saw Steve just a few weeks ago and helped him negotiate salary with a new startup technology company recruiting him as CEO. He moved like lightning, achieving all this in less than eight years.

Different Types of Promotions

Promotions can come in all shapes and sizes. Some are good ones, some are simply title changes. The better ones often come from actually moving on to a new organization, and up at the same time. This is the scenario where the biggest salary increases are likely to happen.

Some promotions result from pointing out to your boss the new job duties and responsibilities you’ve taken on over the course of your current position. Others come from volunteering to take on new responsibilities that grow into a promotion. Very few come from just doing a good job and thinking that’s enough.

Self-Analysis

Do you really want to move up? Honest? Everyday techies turn down terrific promotions for one very common reason – the family objected. Be sure you know where your family stands before you waste tons of time with recruiters and interviews.

Are you willing to take on the work? Moving up almost always mean more work and longer hours. For many, the extra salary and the reward of handling the new challenge is worth it. Steve, our newest CEO, averages 70-80 hours a week. John, though, passed on a move up – 50 hours a week was all he was willing to do with a new baby at home. Think this through, and know how you’ll manage before actually pushing to move up.

How To Get It

Approaching your boss is key. Feel the manager out about your potential in their department and other areas of the company. This person can be a catalyst or an obstacle -- your first step is to determine which. If indeed you have taken on new tasks, discuss this with your boss. You’ll have an answer soon enough. A key mistake many techies make is waiting for the boss to approach them with promotion opportunities, and being disappointed when nothing happens.
Have an action plan. The techie’s world is zigzaggy, with opportunities all over the place -- start ups, promises of IPO riches, cool technology spin-offs, established leaders, new divisions or projects. Lay out clearly what you want. Define the kind of company, size, culture, and duties you want to perform. Plan, and go for it.

Need more assistance? Robin is available to help you achieve your goals and dreams with individual career counseling. Click here to learn more.

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil and is considered to be America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of : "60 Seconds & You're Hired!," "Soaring On Your Strengths," "What to Do With the Rest of Your Life," "Winning Resumes," and "Winning Cover Letters." A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: robin@robinryan.com, or visit her website: http://www.robinryan.com

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