Promotion or not boher?
Discussion
I have the opportunity to step up to a European Director role, from the Senior Manager role I have at present. Much as I like the ring of it & is a great move on CV, it will come with little extra pay, is not a clearly defined role, reports into someone who I'm not brilliantly keen on, and I'd lose a lot of the perks that I currently really enjoy. I'm not hugely ambitious and really enjoy my quality of life at present - never have to work late. This role would probably be more political, mean joining aclls with the US in the evening. But it feels like a pivotal career moment to me, these chances don't come up that often where I work in fact this is the forst time in many years. Of course if I don't go for it there is the spectre of who might get the role that I would end up working for, to consider. Any thoughts?
k off?It depends on a number of factors including your current age and where you see your career going in the future? Are you keen to progress upwards in the future or are you happy staying at the type of level you are at now?
There's no shame in staying at a level you have gotten to if you are happy with your position and the work life balance is good and you have an income you feel comfortable on, I say that as someone who has made that decision myself, I have one more move left in me and i've gotten the job which I believe will see me through to retirement now and i'm waiting for a transfer date within the organisation I work for.
I know a lot of people who I have worked with who have been promoted and in many ways regretted it because they end up in roles they don't enjoy and it's very difficult to go backwards.
I fully appreciate though that there are many people on here who strive to be powerful directors though, it's a personal choice.
There's no shame in staying at a level you have gotten to if you are happy with your position and the work life balance is good and you have an income you feel comfortable on, I say that as someone who has made that decision myself, I have one more move left in me and i've gotten the job which I believe will see me through to retirement now and i'm waiting for a transfer date within the organisation I work for.
I know a lot of people who I have worked with who have been promoted and in many ways regretted it because they end up in roles they don't enjoy and it's very difficult to go backwards.
I fully appreciate though that there are many people on here who strive to be powerful directors though, it's a personal choice.
European Director of what is key.
As with all global roles, if the way things are done is analogous across territories it makes for a different, and more managable, role than where you are attempting to harmonise.
If its good for the CV and you have the desire to give it a crack for a period, then I would go for it. Its all experience!
As with all global roles, if the way things are done is analogous across territories it makes for a different, and more managable, role than where you are attempting to harmonise.
If its good for the CV and you have the desire to give it a crack for a period, then I would go for it. Its all experience!
If it helps OP I'm at the same decision stage as you currently, albeit with slightly different structures.
The CEO has told me the job is mine if I want it but it's a huge step up in terms of responsibility and political exposure (although I have been doing maybe 2/3 of the role anyway during covid, without full recognition).
I'm more than comfortable in my existing role & with a young child it works well in terms of flexibility. However these roles tend to only come up once every 20 years or so in my sector and there's that nagging question isn't there - what do you ultimately want from your career/life?
To top it off the CEO indicated this week that he was considering downgrading the role to a lower pay band, that would be at the bottom rung of its peers. I've very much taken that personally in that it's taking advantage of circumstance in that there is a seemingly willing internal applicant who would be grateful to take it on regardless. I've made my feelings clear on that front.
No particular advice there OP but you are not alone in your dilemma. There is likely no absolute right answer for your individual circumstances either, so don't sweat it too much!
The CEO has told me the job is mine if I want it but it's a huge step up in terms of responsibility and political exposure (although I have been doing maybe 2/3 of the role anyway during covid, without full recognition).
I'm more than comfortable in my existing role & with a young child it works well in terms of flexibility. However these roles tend to only come up once every 20 years or so in my sector and there's that nagging question isn't there - what do you ultimately want from your career/life?
To top it off the CEO indicated this week that he was considering downgrading the role to a lower pay band, that would be at the bottom rung of its peers. I've very much taken that personally in that it's taking advantage of circumstance in that there is a seemingly willing internal applicant who would be grateful to take it on regardless. I've made my feelings clear on that front.
No particular advice there OP but you are not alone in your dilemma. There is likely no absolute right answer for your individual circumstances either, so don't sweat it too much!
Think you’ve answered your own question there, OP:
“ I'm not hugely ambitious and really enjoy my quality of life at present - never have to work late”.
There’s a reason more senior roles are highly paid. They are complex and often political, and require a significant compromise for your personal life. Expect long hours, meetings at unsociable hours, and, with International roles, a fair bit of travel and the additional challenge of working across different cultures too.
If you’re ambitious, and work is important to you, then it’s a no-brainer. Grab the opportunity and make the most of it. But if you’re not, and you enjoy your life as it is, then there’s little reason to do this. It is true it would help you get a similar role in future, but what’s the use of that if you don’t want that role?
No amount of money makes up for being stressed and miserable at work. Do what makes you happy.
“ I'm not hugely ambitious and really enjoy my quality of life at present - never have to work late”.
There’s a reason more senior roles are highly paid. They are complex and often political, and require a significant compromise for your personal life. Expect long hours, meetings at unsociable hours, and, with International roles, a fair bit of travel and the additional challenge of working across different cultures too.
If you’re ambitious, and work is important to you, then it’s a no-brainer. Grab the opportunity and make the most of it. But if you’re not, and you enjoy your life as it is, then there’s little reason to do this. It is true it would help you get a similar role in future, but what’s the use of that if you don’t want that role?
No amount of money makes up for being stressed and miserable at work. Do what makes you happy.
The advice here about doing it for 12 months - 2 years then looking to move on and use it as a stepping stone is sound. As is the advice about the more senior you get the more political life is and the more work takes over from your private life. You need to weigh up both these things. It’s not a failure to say you have reached where you want to go and it gives you the lifestyle you want. Not everyone has to try and end up as CEO. The other thing to consider is what if you don’t like it / can’t hack it etc. A “demotion” in the same company never looks good and things will be different with people who were your peers before you stepped up to boss. You could always go back down by going outside but you have to be skilful how you spin your CV.
Good luck with your choice
Good luck with your choice
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