Applying for a more senior role
Discussion
A role has come up at work, it has "Head of" in the job title and would be considered a couple of steps up compared to where I am now (lower/middle management).
I really like the look of it and think I could be a good fit. I am pretty happy and comfortable in my current role, I like the people under and above me, I have good flexibility and freedom within it and generally I have been content at this point for a few years now.
Of course roles like this don't come up often (especially at my place) and I am thinking that if I don't go for it I will regret it in a few years when I am still doing what I am doing now. It would mean a lot more responsibility but would also offer lots of opportunity and would set me up well for the next rung up the ladder which would have "Director" somewhere in the job title.
However, I am suffering with a bit of a confidence gap or maybe imposter syndrome. I feel a bit intimidated applying for a role like this and even more intimidated by the thought of possibly getting it.
For those that have taken that chance on a more senior role how have you approached it? How do I get out of my own head here?
I really like the look of it and think I could be a good fit. I am pretty happy and comfortable in my current role, I like the people under and above me, I have good flexibility and freedom within it and generally I have been content at this point for a few years now.
Of course roles like this don't come up often (especially at my place) and I am thinking that if I don't go for it I will regret it in a few years when I am still doing what I am doing now. It would mean a lot more responsibility but would also offer lots of opportunity and would set me up well for the next rung up the ladder which would have "Director" somewhere in the job title.
However, I am suffering with a bit of a confidence gap or maybe imposter syndrome. I feel a bit intimidated applying for a role like this and even more intimidated by the thought of possibly getting it.
For those that have taken that chance on a more senior role how have you approached it? How do I get out of my own head here?
Go for it. Your employer may be hoping you do.
If you know which manager is recruiting the role, can't you set up a conversation with them , express interet and ask them what specific skills they are looking for. You can then tailor your application.
I am currently recruiting a CEO for our organisation. I would have been disappointed if one of the current exec team hadn't applied..
If you know which manager is recruiting the role, can't you set up a conversation with them , express interet and ask them what specific skills they are looking for. You can then tailor your application.
I am currently recruiting a CEO for our organisation. I would have been disappointed if one of the current exec team hadn't applied..
andrew-6xade said:
......and half of the time, more senior people aren't 'better' at the actual job. Might just be better communicators, speak (or sound) clever, brown noses or just right place, right time.
Generally as you move up the ladder you become less hands-on, but need to develop management skills and then as you keep going up you need to develop strategy skills. A brilliant corporate strategist could be crap at the tea making where he started.You have nothing to lose - go for it with confidence, it's appearing confident that you can do the role that is key!
In my group of early 50's IT/Engineering mates - all of us have spent the last 30 years absolutely convinced that at some point, someone is going to rumble us - but it's never happened!
In my group of early 50's IT/Engineering mates - all of us have spent the last 30 years absolutely convinced that at some point, someone is going to rumble us - but it's never happened!
In my corporate world experience (long time in one multi-national with a few thousand empoyees) we generally promoted internally and they already knew who they wanted in the role - sometimes it was me and sometimes it wasn't - and advertising it was just going through the motions.
It was always worth making it known that you wanted to go further. People who kept their heads down just stayed where they were.
It was always worth making it known that you wanted to go further. People who kept their heads down just stayed where they were.
Steve H said:
Ambition trumps ability every time. This is not to say you don t have ability and that may be handy if you get the job, but ambition is how you will get it.
ambition will only cause you to give a s
t. It won't get you there alone. I do agree however that it is more about other things than ability, but the main one is shmoozing and arse kissing.geeks said:
Thanks all, keep the thoughts coming. I have setup some time with the internal recruiter to have chat about it in a bit more depth. I also know all but one of the interview panel well enough to have a chat with beforehand too.
My take is you seem to be treating this in a very formal corporate process. If it was me, I'd be taking the new boss and/or key people if you get the role for a beer or two and discussing it informally.
As another poster said, at a senior level relationships really come into play, so start playing the game now.
But, you know your company and industry best, so you need to adapt as appropriate.
geeks said:
For those that have taken that chance on a more senior role how have you approached it? How do I get out of my own head here?
It always felt a little odd past a certain seniority point. Seeing (x) title on your email signature.....takes some getting used to.But in terms of actually doing the job, I always found I was better at the job above than I was at the one below. Which helped.
Short version - just go for it. Imposter syndrome is something that even some of the most successful people have dealt with. IME that mainly requires management when in the job, not when applying for it.
All senior roles are is more work for marginally more money, and if you dare to only work your paid hours you get at this level you should be willing to put in the work
Um no, pay me for the work I do.
All white collar jobs are emails and forecasts and meetings about emails and forecasts
Might aswell just go for it, you’ll find that a large portion of the people in their jobs are simply higher up because they’ve been in a company for a age, that’s why they say “I’ve been at XX for 30 years” it doesn’t mean you’re job at a job
You will have a good chance at it as any, especially if you have any shred of competence
Um no, pay me for the work I do.
All white collar jobs are emails and forecasts and meetings about emails and forecasts
Might aswell just go for it, you’ll find that a large portion of the people in their jobs are simply higher up because they’ve been in a company for a age, that’s why they say “I’ve been at XX for 30 years” it doesn’t mean you’re job at a job
You will have a good chance at it as any, especially if you have any shred of competence
geeks said:
For those that have taken that chance on a more senior role how have you approached it? How do I get out of my own head here?
About 4 years ago I deleted an email about a 'senior' role in the organisation (our turnover is measured in 9 0s) as I didn't think it was aimed at people like me, and I enjoyed the role I had. A chance conversation with someone in the corridor meant I dug the email out of my deleted folder and put in an application with a few days left to spare before the closing date. When I turned for interview there were at least 5 other candidates, all more senior than me on paper and in time spent within the organisation, I had never spoken to anyone on the interview panel before apart from expressing my interest in the role. That was 4 years ago. Come end of this month I've being in a C-suite post for 7 months, its the role my previous boss vacated. I line manage people who were/are my mentors/senior. The role is a constant daily challenge, but I feel so privileged to be in it. Life is about taking chances/opportunities when they present themselves.
Edited by gangzoom on Friday 12th June 16:35
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