Blog Post: Reconsidering the "I-deserve-that-promotion" Mentality

"A recent work-performance appraisal noted that I had exceeded expectations. So when a better job opened up, naturally I expected to land it. I didn't;t. Reason given: no college degree. But that did not stop another worker from getting the promotion. This seems like blatant favoritism. Should I make a stink?" signed, Overlooked

It was not the answer to Overlooked caught my attention, but rather the sense of entitlement that is common among employees. Performing one job well does not necessarily mean that person is qualified for another - higher - position.

We assume from the letter that the promoted person did not possess a college degree but we also do not know what additional experience or personal attributes the successful candidate possessed that put him/her above the other applicants, including Overlooked.

In addition to specific experience, supervisors also give much consideration to how an employee "fits" the job, the workgroup, and the organization.  Fit is hard to quantify, but invaluable in making hiring decisions. Hard skills and job knowledge can be taught, but personality and job suitability is tough to teach and learn. It is possible that although technically qualified for the promotion, the person who was actually promoted was a better fit for the job. Maybe s/he was more flexible, ambitious, courteous, focused, or detailed oriented, just to name a few.

The bottom line is that employers / supervisors weigh many factors in making hiring decisions, and although past performance is the best indicator of future performance, it is not the only consideration.

My point? Rather than complain or "make a stink" about not getting promoted, Overlooked should make a point to talk to her supervisor about her desire for promotion and find out what she needs to do to better prepare for the next promotion. Learn the hard skills and get the job knowledge but, more importantly, find out what soft skills and character qualities are necessary and work on developing those. Making a stink will only confirm that supervisor made the right decision NOT to promote Overlooked and I could guarantee that the employee who makes a stink about not being promoted will have little or no chance for future promotional opportunities.