This is an anonymous post from an Elpha member.

Career path, promotion and Asking for a reference about a boss

Lovie180·Nov 11, 2021

Posted in:Advice

Hi Elphas, I've been working 3 years in my actual position without any promotion nor pay raise, when i talked to my boss about me wanting a promotion he told me that he had a pay raise in mind but he thought that at this moment there isn't a career path for me in my area but he was open to listen to a proposal from me, which discourage me a little bit.

Meanwhile, another manager with whom I collaborate on some projects offer me to talk about working for him, he told me that he has some positions in mind but he would like to understand my career path expectations, this caught me off guard because while we were working he was kind of rude with me due to power battles with my actual boss. I am interested in talk with him, because eventhough his area is smaller than my actual area I believe that my growth opportunities could be bigger with this new manager but I am afraid that his offer is part a power move to create a division in my actual area and also I am not sure about the working environment, as I mentioned at the begginning he was rough with me beacuse he ws mad with my boss.

I am not close to anyone working with him but I can send a cold email to a colleague that used to work for him and that have a similar background than me, asking her about her thoughts. I would like to know how would you approach this situation and what would you say to my ex-colleague keeping in mind that we weren't so close and that I want to ask for her privacy.

Thank you verey much

Briana·Nov 11, 2021

Do you know where you would like to go in your career? Do you like working with your current boss? You said he's open to a proposal from you, so I wonder if you want to speak with him first and get his reaction and feedback?The fact that this other manager was unkind to you already seems like a red flag - would you really want to work for him even if it meant progressing on your career path? And perhaps it's not an either/or - you could also consider looking at opportunities outside of this company.

Lovie180·Nov 12, 2021

Briana:Thanks for your reply, you got me a new perspective. I really enjoy working with my actual boss and I am presenting him a proposal to build my own team but he's been candid with me about the uncertainty of my promotion due to lack of funding.