Promotion Possible

[movinonup]

I've put my name in for consideration to replace an executive assistant to a VP.     The job was not officially posted, but word got around that she was leaving, so I jumped at the prospect.  I let my current manager know of these intentions, since that is company policy.  I expect an interview to be scheduled this coming week.

Now I am wondering if it would be ethical to use any offer I may get as leverage in my current department.  I have been SO disappointed lately that my current manager refuses to change certain things....

For five years I have been shared by two departments, and I find that so uncomfortable.  I would prefer to be answering by solid line to one manager only, but the two groups prefer to stick to these arrangements,  regardless of what I say.  There are other coordinators who could handle the additional workload, but neither manager will consider that.

I am the person who handles travel for all those in the facility who do not have administrative help in their groups.  This is getting out of hand now that we are getting so much bigger, acquiring new companies annually.  I would like for this to stop, and to have this travel shared by the other 3 coordinators. My manager has not been successful in having these people removed from my plate.  I now handle a total of 26 people for travel, while the others average 6-8.

Overall, I love being part of the Sales department, but the two items above are REALLY getting to me lately.  There is so much more I could do for our group, if I didn't have these additional duties constantly fighting for my time.  I have shown my manager how I can help with the budget and I've been given other projects to handle on my own.  None of this seems to change his mind, though.  He seems to appreciate all my hard work, but doesn't see the problem with my overload.

I was hoping this action might wake him up, but so far he just seems to be feeling a bit dejected (is that the right word?) that I may be leaving.  How would you handle all this?  It's getting me all worked up inside.


Movinonup

[misslynn]

I'm not a advocate for using one job opportunity to get what you want out of another job.  I think the real question to ask is this - which job do you want?    If you don't get the EA to the VP but they change your current position to match what you're asking for, what happens next time something changes in your position?  It's a bit of a double-edged sword.  

However, I do realize that there are some managers that will never understand that you really mean what you say without a threat of leaving.

I think only you know best of how to approach this situation.  Out of curiousity, why is the current EA leaving?

[movinonup]

The current EA only acquired the position about 6 weeks ago.  She was a sales coordinator like me prior to the promotion.  She really liked the new job and her boss.  

Somebody she knew at a previous job contacted her while she was on the new job and asked if she'd be interested in a spot at his new company.  It was a customer support position, and she would have supervisory responsibilities.  She went for an interview out of curiosity, and accepted the position.  When she told her boss at our company, he attempted to get the company to match the increase in pay, but they wouldn't agree to do it.  He had to let her go.

She was actually quite conflicted about leaving, but her husband lost his job recently, so they needed the additional income.

I understand what you mean, MissLynn, that it's manipulative of me to even think about using the threat of leaving to get my boss to pay attention...but it seems to be the only way to accomplish this.  I've been over the problems numerous times, but management just keeps leaving things as they are.  I guess the only answer is to just move on, and let them treat somebody new the same way.

Movinonup

[countrigal]

First, this is a two-prong issue.  And what we need to remind everyone is that you have to think of yourself first, as no one else will do that.  If you are not happy in your current position, look for one that will make you happy.  Be sure to take care of yourself, and do your job professionally.  Then this rolls into the 2nd prong... using one job to improve another.

Are you really expecting your current bossie to make changes to your current position on the threat that you may leave him?  Most of the time, in my experience, they make the noises of making changes but in reality they never do more than they have to in order to keep you with them.  Threatening to leave if changes aren't made is no guarantee that those changes will be made and stick for long-term.  If bossie is happy with the way things are, then he will have no incentive to keep them in the changed format after you no longer have the opportunity to leave.  This feeds back into looking out for yourself.

So if you think this other position is a better option for you, will fullfil your needs or is a step you want to take, then take it.  And I would honestly sit down with bossie and tell him why you are putting in for the post.  Not as a threat or in the hopes of getting him to offer to change your current position, but so that he will understand your desire to move on and can take your comments into consideration when hiring your replacement.  By handling this in a more matter-of-fact and "nothing in it for me" mode, then you really aren't 'blackmailing' bossie to make changes to keep you.  And if he does offer you your current post with changes, then you will have to make the tough decision of whether or not you trust him to keep those changes, if the new post is a better step for you at this time, or if it's time to move on in your career and stretch your wings.  But since you are going into this with all honesty between you and bossie, if you don't get the other post, he may still take a more serious look at your concerns and you may still get those changes.

Best of luck in whatever you decide!

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[tiffanyctd]

CG,
You took the words right out of my mouth!
Tif

[movinonup]

A couple of new factors have entered the situation.  There are rumblings that my boss will receive a promotion and take over the two departments, so I would end up reporting to just one boss if I were to stay.  This is what I've hoped for over the 5 years I've worked in Sales, and I'm seeing signs that this may happen by the end of this month....only about a week away.

In addition to this, I've been investigating the VP's department, and have determined that they are renegades.  They are unwilling to agree to the rules and systems in place in the rest of the company.  They are trying to maintain the rules and systems they had set up when they were a separate entity two years ago, and thus are creating more enemies in the corporate structure every day.

I think it would be very uncomfortable for me to support a VP who isn't willing to go along with the leadership of the acquiring firm.  I would be placed in an awkward situation if I worked there.  There is also a coordinator down there who is very territorial and has actually indicated in the past that the group would never welcome ANYONE from within the rest of the company moving into that environment.  (!!)

So, the saga goes on.....I probably won't withdraw my name from consideration, just for the interview practice.  But my heart is no longer in it.

I appreciate everyone's comments.



Movinonup

[donnap99]

It's good that you have more information to work with. I recently also interviewed for another position, and since then have changed my mind about working there, but it was a good experience, to keep my skills up.


DonnaP99

[movinonup]

It looks like the other department will hire the beautiful blonde temp that's been in the position for two weeks, so my interview will not occur...or at least it has still not been scheduled.

And the promotion story about my boss--that was just a rumor that got started by one of our (irate) department members after a heated discussion in a private meeting.  When I confronted my boss to ask when he planned to tell me about his promotion, he said he was still hoping for one, but probably couldn't expect it for 4 months or more.

So now I'm left to wait it out. Feeling a bit under-utilized, but in the economy our state is in (Michigan), I guess I should be happy to have a job!



Movinonup