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Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

andrew.grahamyooll.com

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Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#221

Post by f1shy »

rendaw wrote: post #168
GMoromisato wrote: post #33

In my view, the meta-advice is to understand the goals and constraints of your boss (and their boss), and work towards those goals (while adhering to the constraints). With that perspective, we can derive some rules of thumb: 1. Promotions are not a reward for past performance. Instead, they are a bet that you will contribute more towards those goals with a promotion than without one. 2. As the OP says, if you are de…

I really don't get this > if you are demonstrating performance at your boss's level, that's evidence/proof that a promotion is warranted If you're an engineering IC, and your boss is a manager with 4 other ICs, your boss's goals are twofold: get at least 5 ICs worth of results from the team, and managing people. So to do what you and TFA suggest literally you can either: - Do 5 ICs worth of work - Start managing peop…

> Start managing people at the same level on your team, on your own initiative

Anecdotically, a coworken in my group started, on his own initiative, to “play manager” in out team, because he wanted to “help us all”. Of course he just wanted to ascend the ladder. That backfired instantly and spectacularly. I would never act with any authority if it was not very clearly delegated by my team, or my superior; and even then I would walk like in thin ice for the first 6 months

Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#222

Post by mlrtime »

ManlyBread wrote: post #202

Ah, the classic "work even harder and do things you're not paid for with zero guarantee that someone will appreciate what you're doing while the company reaps the benefits". What a novel thought, I am so glad I clicked the article, especially since the author isn't even speaking from experience so he has nothing to back up his blogpost with.

Listen, you don't have to do this and are free to disagree.

However, this method has worked and will continue to work. Lots of people are fine just doing their shift and leaving, that's ok. Some people are not satisfied with that and want more, and there are strategies to do more work and get paid to do so.

Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#223

Post by wiseowise »

jaylaal wrote: post #157
class3shock wrote: post #156

"Here's the thing most people miss: promotions don't fall off the tree and land in your lap. You've got to show that you're capable of handling the responsibility for a sustained period of time." Some classic management gaslighting. You have to work for a few years at the level of the higher position to get it. I will trust your work at this level, profit off of it, hold you responsible for it but not pay you appropr…

"Seriously, ref, I'm good enough to win. No need to play the game, you can just hand me the gold medal now!"

Except work is nothing like professional sport. Your example is detached from reality.

It's more like being hired as a plumber and start doing secretary work for your boss for free.

There's a price tag on your services, why would give it out for free for some nebulous chance of getting a promo? Peak stupidity.

Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#224

Post by wiseowise »

anal_reactor wrote: post #220
wiseowise wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> please convince half of the company to drop everything and do work for our team And don't forget to do that on IC level, without official shot caller title.

Bro I was trying to get promoted to senior software developer.

Hope you're in a better company now. Best of luck.

Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#225

Post by halls-940 »

ryanjshaw wrote: post #209
ManlyBread wrote: post #202

Ah, the classic "work even harder and do things you're not paid for with zero guarantee that someone will appreciate what you're doing while the company reaps the benefits". What a novel thought, I am so glad I clicked the article, especially since the author isn't even speaking from experience so he has nothing to back up his blogpost with.

Felt like AI slop. I used to do what it recommends, and it got me nowhere other than more stress and higher expectations from senior management.

I was reprimanded at three different software companies for doing exactly this, and not "staying in my lane" or "trying to do the senior person's job". So it only applies if you're already ahead of schedule on all your assigned work (difficult if they keep increasing your backlog), and the manager likes you but sees you as non-threatening, and people aren't territorial about RFCs.

Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#226

Post by perlgeek »

mlrtime wrote: post #222
ManlyBread wrote: post #202

Ah, the classic "work even harder and do things you're not paid for with zero guarantee that someone will appreciate what you're doing while the company reaps the benefits". What a novel thought, I am so glad I clicked the article, especially since the author isn't even speaking from experience so he has nothing to back up his blogpost with.

Listen, you don't have to do this and are free to disagree. However, this method has worked and will continue to work. Lots of people are fine just doing their shift and leaving, that's ok. Some people are not satisfied with that and want more, and there are strategies to do more work and get paid to do so.

Both of these comments have a kernel of truth.

Yes, you must do more than average to get promoted.

But also yes, if you do more and more and don't get the rewards you want, don't just continue. Either scale back again, or modify your strategy, or apply this strategy elsewhere.

Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#228

Post by marcinzm »

ryanjshaw wrote: post #209
ManlyBread wrote: post #202

Ah, the classic "work even harder and do things you're not paid for with zero guarantee that someone will appreciate what you're doing while the company reaps the benefits". What a novel thought, I am so glad I clicked the article, especially since the author isn't even speaking from experience so he has nothing to back up his blogpost with.

Felt like AI slop. I used to do what it recommends, and it got me nowhere other than more stress and higher expectations from senior management.

Were you simply doing more of the same or were you actually doing the job of the level above you? Those are not the same.

Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#229

Post by PxldLtd »

mlrtime wrote: post #222
ManlyBread wrote: post #202

Ah, the classic "work even harder and do things you're not paid for with zero guarantee that someone will appreciate what you're doing while the company reaps the benefits". What a novel thought, I am so glad I clicked the article, especially since the author isn't even speaking from experience so he has nothing to back up his blogpost with.

Listen, you don't have to do this and are free to disagree. However, this method has worked and will continue to work. Lots of people are fine just doing their shift and leaving, that's ok. Some people are not satisfied with that and want more, and there are strategies to do more work and get paid to do so.

I've literally never gotten a promotion without taking on the additional responsibilities first. I wouldn't expect a promotion for just doing time at a company like a prison sentence. If they didn't promote me then I would have immediately moved on.

Re: Try to take my position: The best promotion advice I ever got

#230

Post by rubslopes »

mlrtime wrote: post #222
ManlyBread wrote: post #202

Ah, the classic "work even harder and do things you're not paid for with zero guarantee that someone will appreciate what you're doing while the company reaps the benefits". What a novel thought, I am so glad I clicked the article, especially since the author isn't even speaking from experience so he has nothing to back up his blogpost with.

Listen, you don't have to do this and are free to disagree. However, this method has worked and will continue to work. Lots of people are fine just doing their shift and leaving, that's ok. Some people are not satisfied with that and want more, and there are strategies to do more work and get paid to do so.

I'm seeing widely opposing takes here; my experience is that the advice is correct depending on where you are. I've worked in places where someone who works 130% is seen as company's profit. But I'm currently at a place where making an extra effort is definitely rewarded with promotions.
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