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Ready To Move Up The Career Ladder...Or AM I?
Q:For the past ten years, ever since I graduated college, I've been a stay-at-home Mom. Two years ago I went back to work for a high-tech company in the customer service department while getting my MBA. Now that I’ve completed my degree, I’d like to move forward into a supervisory role. My problem is that the only real managerial experience that I have is from my college days, when I worked as the junior manager of a retail store while getting my undergraduate degree. Is it realistic to ask for a promotion now that I have my MBA? How should I approach my boss about this? If you think I don’t yet have what it takes to be a manager, how should I obtain the experience that I'll need?
ALISON ANSWERS: Of course it's realistic to want to move forward now that you're out of graduate school, but first, boost up your self-confidence and self-esteem. Even though you may not have a lot of actual, managerial work experience, you do have work experience, and a newly-minted business degree. And, don’t discount the supervisory skills you’ve learned staying home with the kids. "Moms" have to be supervisors every single day and interface with many others to keep a well-run household!
Not everyone is a natural born leader. A supervisor needs intrinsic qualities and leadership skills to be good at her job. You may have learned many management techniques in your MBA classes, but gaining respect and cooperation from others is something that you must earn. How well do you listen? How do you resolve conflict? Are you able to motivate and inspire people? Can you show how the work you’ve done up until now builds on those types of skills? Based on your people-oriented experience, I’d be willing to bet that you have good skills that will be an asset as a manager.
Timing may be key in deciding when to talk to your boss about a promotion. If you've just gotten a review and a raise, it may be against company procedure to promote you again within so short a time period. On the other hand, it can't hurt to ask. I'd bet that your current boss knows you're through with school and is probably wondering what your future goals are. She probably knows you won't stay forever if you don't move ahead, especially since you've been at your current job for two years . You have shown stability and loyalty by staying two years. You worked while you finished your degree which shows you are ambitious. You sound like just the kind of employee this company (or any company) would like to keep.
I’d ask your boss for a meeting to discuss your goals. Make it clear you'd like to stay, but if there are no opportunities for you, it's going to be time to look elsewhere. Keep your promotion goals realistic. You have a good chance to move up the ladder a rung (maybe two), but just because you got an MBA doesn’t automatically mean you will rise from customer service representative to Vice-President. A lower-middle management level promotion with room for advancement is more realistic, and the experience you get will pay dividends for you when you’re ready to move forward again. If you have a choice, accept a position where you have close access to the "decision makers" in your organization, even if you are just in a supporting role. Watch, look, listen, learn.
Believe that you are ready to be a manager, and go after your dreams! Whether you ask for a promotion at your current company, or go elsewhere, don't sell yourself short. Think of yourself as a professional with many valuable qualities– not just a "mom" who is now a "customer service representative." If you don't believe in your abilities and don’t have the confidence to sell yourself to prospective employers, how can you expect them to believe you're the one they should hire? Make sure that your resume advocates for you by broadcasting all the myriad skills you’ve learned in school and in life. Get a mentor or trusted friend to help you make it a strong document.
Meanwhile, seek additional opportunities to enhance your skills and contacts. Join a professional woman’s group in your field. Volunteer to take the lead on any extra projects in your office. Network. Working with others on a project team can teach you valuable lessons as well as increase your exposure to people who can and will help you move up the ladder.. Keep a record of your activities and accomplishments. It’s not only tangible evidence of your contributions, but if you keep this file updated, it will be invaluable to you as you move through your career. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a bit longer than you thought to move into management....your efforts will soon pay off, big time!
Alison Blackman Dunham, aka. "Advice Sister Alison, " is a life & career expert, online advisor, freelance writer, and creator of The Advice Sisters online publications. "The Advice Sisters®" are credited with bringing the advice genre, online. If you are seeking advice of any kind, this website is the right place! If you have a question, dilemma or problem that requires personal attention, consult Alison privately. Also check out The Advice Sisters Features Page with the latest additions to the site. Read the Advice Sisters Blog and enjoy the Bulletin Boards and Forums. For even more advice, inspiration and up-close-and-personal reviews, information and reports, get the free, bi-monthly AdviceSisters Enews by Email.