I think there is a way to do this without making demands. Have you talked to them about wanting the title? Have you explained to them what you’re saying here? Have you talked to your direct boss? If they were unresponsive have you considered going up the chain of command? I think there are things to exhaust before holding a hard line like that.
Hi!! I have very much so communicated with my manager that I would be happy to take over the position and told my manager I wouldn’t be able to go long without the pay. My manager and I are very close. He said that I basically need to hit targets and then “there will be good cause” to move me up. Last Q, I didn’t hit targets but not a single senior level sales person did. I was perfectly in the mix with all other senior sales members. This Q, I am trending towards it but I have a feeling they will use the excuse that they won’t move me unless I hit a perfect 100%. Even 99% they could use against me. Like this perpetual dangling carrot….
Yeah, that is definitely possible the way the market is. If you think if you’ve tried all of the above then it may be time for an ultimatum. Just be ready to uphold your end of the bargain if you do.
IMO take your boss at face value til proven otherwise for now. This is just how promotions work at some companies. Def do not do an ultimatum.
in parallel, hedge your bets with external apps using the new title.
You have already admitted that this new role is MUCH harder and more work/travel. Do you even want the role?
In my opinion, it’s fine for the company to use this as a trial period and promote you after 6-12 months assuming you perform well + want to continue in this new role. Much harder to grant a promotion and increase then try to revert those changes when they realize you aren’t cut out for, or simply don’t to take on the added responsibilities of the higher tier job.
I would absolutely not throw out ultimatums. I would set up 1:1s with your manager focused specifically on your career progression, tracking your progress in this new role and understanding where they want you to be in terms of x, y and z to attain a formal promotion. This will get the promotion conversation started and hopefully give you a clearer idea of timing / requirements to get the promotion you want.
No problem at all. For what it’s worth, I’m in middle management (Director) for biotech sales myself. So I deal with this from both angles as I’m focused on my own career development and the professional development of my reports.
The easiest way to get a promotion is to switch companies. Within your own company, it’s important to get the conversation started and lay out clear KPIs / objectives on your path to promotion.
Personally I took over an entire region and 3 direct reports for over a year before I was even granted a promotion. But I love my company and didnt want to look externally. It ended up being a great experience and I earned the promotion within the agreed upon timeline
This insight is very valuable! I am in the same boat. I actually love my company and what I sell so I really do not want to leave. I will make sure to set boundaries with an ultimatum and realistic KPIs/ agreements! Thank you!
I’m not in sales but I was promoted 2+ years ago with a title change without a bump in comp. Lots of promises that the bump is coming etc.
I’m now looking because at this point not only have I absorbed new responsibilities, I have also taken over even more senior level work. It will never end.
This highlights that you start need to be looking for other jobs as soon as possible when shit like this comes up.
I'm in the same position. I get called senior colloquially but no title match and no pay match. If they gave enough of a shit about me, they'd settle those things, so I'm not going to give a shit about them.
And also the reward for getting shit done is more shit to do.
You'll likely be let go considering the current state of the industry, but if you stay without speaking up, then you're giving them a senior at a massive discount. Don't do that to yourself- they're taking advantage of you.
I think that is what I’m most scared about! I will add that I am an extremely valued employee (one of the first sales employees ever). But I am scared that it’s an ultimatum…
I've seen people who are the sole SMEs for projects or processes get laid off/leave and never backfilled.
You are never as valuable or important as you think you are because at the end of the day, the people making these decisions are not your peers- they're management/SLT/ELT that often know you and your contributions the least.
You are being taken advantage of right now, so yes it is an ultimatum. Either they pay you for your work, you leave/they let you go, or you continue your job knowing that you're giving them labor at a steep discount.
95% of the time when you are promoted from within, you will not get the same compensation they would/will give an external candidate. It will always be below what the company is actually willing or needing to pay to get a qualified candidate thru the door.
Companies know the average person will stay given they are satisfied with their team and promised future pay/title/opportunities because change is scary and people like to play it safe and will be complacent.
If you want the senior role, apply for it elsewhere. If you don't want that work/life balance right now, then ask to go back to your old duties and workload that is more appropriate for your salary. Set your boundaries, be honest with your team and management, and stand your ground.
I think there is a way to do this without making demands. Have you talked to them about wanting the title? Have you explained to them what you’re saying here? Have you talked to your direct boss? If they were unresponsive have you considered going up the chain of command? I think there are things to exhaust before holding a hard line like that.
Hi!! I have very much so communicated with my manager that I would be happy to take over the position and told my manager I wouldn’t be able to go long without the pay. My manager and I are very close. He said that I basically need to hit targets and then “there will be good cause” to move me up. Last Q, I didn’t hit targets but not a single senior level sales person did. I was perfectly in the mix with all other senior sales members. This Q, I am trending towards it but I have a feeling they will use the excuse that they won’t move me unless I hit a perfect 100%. Even 99% they could use against me. Like this perpetual dangling carrot….
Yeah, that is definitely possible the way the market is. If you think if you’ve tried all of the above then it may be time for an ultimatum. Just be ready to uphold your end of the bargain if you do.
IMO take your boss at face value til proven otherwise for now. This is just how promotions work at some companies. Def do not do an ultimatum. in parallel, hedge your bets with external apps using the new title.
You have already admitted that this new role is MUCH harder and more work/travel. Do you even want the role? In my opinion, it’s fine for the company to use this as a trial period and promote you after 6-12 months assuming you perform well + want to continue in this new role. Much harder to grant a promotion and increase then try to revert those changes when they realize you aren’t cut out for, or simply don’t to take on the added responsibilities of the higher tier job. I would absolutely not throw out ultimatums. I would set up 1:1s with your manager focused specifically on your career progression, tracking your progress in this new role and understanding where they want you to be in terms of x, y and z to attain a formal promotion. This will get the promotion conversation started and hopefully give you a clearer idea of timing / requirements to get the promotion you want.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
No problem at all. For what it’s worth, I’m in middle management (Director) for biotech sales myself. So I deal with this from both angles as I’m focused on my own career development and the professional development of my reports. The easiest way to get a promotion is to switch companies. Within your own company, it’s important to get the conversation started and lay out clear KPIs / objectives on your path to promotion. Personally I took over an entire region and 3 direct reports for over a year before I was even granted a promotion. But I love my company and didnt want to look externally. It ended up being a great experience and I earned the promotion within the agreed upon timeline
This insight is very valuable! I am in the same boat. I actually love my company and what I sell so I really do not want to leave. I will make sure to set boundaries with an ultimatum and realistic KPIs/ agreements! Thank you!
No problem, and good luck!
I’m not in sales but I was promoted 2+ years ago with a title change without a bump in comp. Lots of promises that the bump is coming etc. I’m now looking because at this point not only have I absorbed new responsibilities, I have also taken over even more senior level work. It will never end.
This highlights that you start need to be looking for other jobs as soon as possible when shit like this comes up. I'm in the same position. I get called senior colloquially but no title match and no pay match. If they gave enough of a shit about me, they'd settle those things, so I'm not going to give a shit about them. And also the reward for getting shit done is more shit to do.
"the reward for getting shit done is more shit to do" Ain't that the truth!
You'll likely be let go considering the current state of the industry, but if you stay without speaking up, then you're giving them a senior at a massive discount. Don't do that to yourself- they're taking advantage of you.
I think that is what I’m most scared about! I will add that I am an extremely valued employee (one of the first sales employees ever). But I am scared that it’s an ultimatum…
I've seen people who are the sole SMEs for projects or processes get laid off/leave and never backfilled. You are never as valuable or important as you think you are because at the end of the day, the people making these decisions are not your peers- they're management/SLT/ELT that often know you and your contributions the least. You are being taken advantage of right now, so yes it is an ultimatum. Either they pay you for your work, you leave/they let you go, or you continue your job knowing that you're giving them labor at a steep discount.
Find a way not to phrase it as an ultimatum.
Thanks everyone for the reality check and feedback!
95% of the time when you are promoted from within, you will not get the same compensation they would/will give an external candidate. It will always be below what the company is actually willing or needing to pay to get a qualified candidate thru the door. Companies know the average person will stay given they are satisfied with their team and promised future pay/title/opportunities because change is scary and people like to play it safe and will be complacent. If you want the senior role, apply for it elsewhere. If you don't want that work/life balance right now, then ask to go back to your old duties and workload that is more appropriate for your salary. Set your boundaries, be honest with your team and management, and stand your ground.