The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
The Overlooked Promotion
My life has been pretty interesting so far, when it comes to work. I got the typical fast food job in high school and even working at a baseball stadium for a while, switching to security after high school, working in retail for a time, and eventually settling in as a programmer, web developer, application developer, software engineer, freelancer, program consultant, or the hundreds of terms that the world calls us depending on whatever the job is. Fortunately, I happened to come across a job I love and enjoy doing, and they even pay me to do it. I have mostly due diligently done my job for every position I have held, very rarely without complaint, and I have done it fairly well. Sometimes I have made mistakes and learned from them. These mistakes range from minor to major, but luckily, I have never actually been fired, except for a job that I held for two days after high school, in which I was not as qualified as they wanted me to be. Other than that, I have been laid off once or twice, with the businesses going under, no longer existing, or the time just came for me to move on. Regardless of the jobs I have held, one thing I can readily admit: I was always the worker bee, never a supervisor or a manager, and often am the one who gets overlooked for that promotion.
Why is that? For one, I never did apply to assume that position, nor did I ever feel I wanted it. I remember a security supervisor I had, who was extremely paranoid, fearing that I would steal his job because I was so good at mine. However, I had no desire to earn the dollar more that he was making doing double the amount of work that I had to do. I could get into my time as a security officer in the psychiatric ward, but I had already written about it in another confession, and that is not the point. The point is, as I have progressed in the workplace, from job to job, I happened to notice something: I am simply not manager or supervisor material. Despite my countless contributions, I have never obtained a “senior” position. I may have been offered the opportunity, but I’m not sure it was ever really there for me. While others, who have done less (maybe more?) than me, have obtained those types of positions. What could possibly be the reason? To be honest, I don’t care, but something in my personality may just not want that senior position. I am not sure why it is that I often get overlooked, but I am not one to cause a stir at work. Why? I have made it this far remaining just under the radar while receiving a paycheck to do the work I do.
There is also another reason I don’t seek promotions, other than that daily raise and bonus: I really do not care enough to have the extra responsibility. In a way, you could probably agree that by me saying that, I do not deserve it. I certainly do not disagree with you. I definitely want my company to succeed, and I have their best interest at heart. I will do what is necessary to ensure that they succeed, as it keeps me employed. Watching others, who may well more than deserve it, get a promotion over you, is just a fact of life. I could either choose to focus on doing better or accept the fact that I just do not have what it takes to be promoted to another position. Luckily, as a developer, I have the luxury of creating my own positions outside of the company I work for, as a freelancer or as the founder of my own startup, or I could even be a contract consultant or engineer. How many of my co-workers could come close to being any of those things? As far as I know, they all go home and their job ends. My “second jobs” are just beginning. Honestly, why blame my company for what they feel is in their best interest to not promote me to any type of position?
I have worked enough jobs and learned enough about companies that it is even too much effort which will lead no where to be jealous, envious, mad, upset, angry, or bitter. What is the point? I am who I am and I may just not be that person who deserves that promotion, while others may be the ones who are more deserving than me. Sure, I could work harder and put more effort into everything I have done, and sometimes, I did do that, and I have done that, and it led no where. This is not to say that I don’t put in as much effort as everyone else, but rather, the point being: I am just happy to be employed, receiving a paycheck, and actually getting paid to do something that I love. I expect nothing more from my company, other than to be treated as a human being and get paid enough to make a living and afford my lifestyle.
Then there is also the other thing about positions: They are just titles, maybe a little extra work, maybe a little extra pay, and maybe a little additional glance on a resume. Sure, if you happen to be promoted as the CEO of the company, that might mean more serious business and you probably worked hard to get there. Even if you managed to become a manager from the worker position, I sincerely congratulate you for your hard work and efforts. Great job. For my co-workers who have received promotions over me, despite my contributions to the company, I can only say that I am happy for them. With promotion comes greater responsibility, a responsibility that isn’t put on me the same way. Good luck to all of those who have received, earned, and deserve those promotions. You are exactly where you should be. Congratulations.
If you happened to do your best and still got overlooked, sometimes that is just the way it is. Maybe it is your personality. Maybe you aren’t doing exactly what the company wants or aren’t being the type of person your company wants you to be. Maybe you are too new or you do not have enough experience. Maybe your supervisor or your boss really just don’t like you. I have had a few “seniors” who felt that away about me, because they felt threatened. Take away from all of it what you will. For those of us who never got those promotions, don’t sweat it too much. After all, you can’t really miss something you never got. Recognize the person or persons who got promoted for their accomplishments, congratulate them for their probably well-deserved position. Don’t be bitter. It is not your co-worker’s fault they did something that got them noticed and promoted. If you are like me, create your own promotions, create your own positions, and earn your place, whether from the company itself, or by doing your own thing.
