Whether you've been in your current job for a year or a decade, there eventually will come a day when you feel like you've plateaued. When that day comes, you'll have to make a tough decision: Should you stay and ask for a promotion? Or should you quit and seek a better position elsewhere?
The answer isn't easy, according to Monster contributor Jon Simmons. On the one hand, he says, "If you're early in your career, getting promoted is the best way to drastically increase your earning potential for the rest of your career." On the other hand, "If you're mid-career and haven't had a pay or title bump in a while, you could risk sliding into a career slump -- which is never a good thing."
But it's not just a question of where you're at in your career. There are other factors at play, too.
To determine your next move, start by evaluating your prospects for internal advancement.
"There's a range of signs that you might be promoted," Deborah Hankin, vice president of talent at SYPartners, tells Simmons. "Those include being given additional responsibilities or special projects, more people coming to you for advice or expertise, being sought after for increasingly prestigious projects. If you're leading projects or you're considered someone who adds clear value to the business, these are also good points."
Under those circumstances, it might be a good idea to stay, as a promotion likely is in your future -- eventually. But what if those indicators are absent?
"Find out why opportunities have not been forthcoming," Timothy Wiedman, former associate professor of management and human resources at Doane University, tells Simmons. "Determine what improvement is necessary -- and whether the required change is possible. A skill deficiency can likely be fixed; but a personality trait, for example, that does not mesh with the organization's culture may be very difficult to address."
More Tips:
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/quit-or-ask-for-promotion-0718
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
Contact Successful Meetings Editor in Chief Vincent Alonzo with your "How To" ideas.