Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2011 7:08:19 PM GMT | Post a comment
When you give 110% to your work and always succeed in your tasks, it only stands to reason that you would want to be recognized for your consistent performance. However, when your boss offers to reward you with a promotion, don’t jump too quickly at the offer. A promotion can be a great way to advance your career, but it could also work against you. Be careful what you wish for. Take these steps before making a final decision:
1. Dig Deeper. What exactly does the promotion entail? Figure out all the specifics involved, including how many additional hours you might be working, who you will be answering directly to, who you will be supervising, how much additional pay you will receive and how far the promotion will take you as far as your resume is concerned. These are the questions you would ask when looking for a job, so why not do the research when taking on a new responsibility?
2. Do You Love Your Job? Just because you work hard doesn’t mean you love your job. Hard work might just be a personality trait. If you hate your job, will the promotion make a difference or just make you hate it even more? This is an important question, because if the promotion means additional hours at a place that makes you miserable, it won’t be long before you end up suffering a nervous breakdown. No one wants that.
3. Don’t Fall Into The Trap. Assess your current position. Are you happy making the money they are currently paying you for the amount that you work? Is the extra bump in salary and responsibility worth the potential risk? How have other people fared in the position you will be filling? If there is a heavy turnover rate, the new job may not be worth it. You have a responsibility to yourself – making sure you have enough money for shelter, food, clothing, etc. Taking a promotion that might lead you right to the unemployment line may not be the wisest move to make.
4. Talk To Your Family. You should always include your significant other in conversations affecting your future. If the new job is going to ruin your work/life balance, what good is a promotion when you lose the ones you love the most? If your family is willing to understand the sacrifices involved and support your decision to accept the promotion, then go into your new role with strength behind you.
5. Resume Radiance. If a promotion is going to take you off of your specific career track, then why accept the offer? See if there are opportunities that will build your resume and wait it out until one becomes available. Do not just accept a new position because the title makes you feel importance. It’s really how other companies you aspire to work for see you that really matters and the wrong moves could hurt you in the long run.
--Jon Minners, Vault.com
