When you don’t like the job
If you don’t actually want to do the job you’re being promoted to, that’s sort of a bad trade. Unless maybe the money is really, really good and you only plan to do it for a short time. Even then… I don’t know. That doesn’t scream “win-win” to me.
When you’re just trying to get out of a job you hate
If you hate your job, accepting a promotion might seem like a great exit strategy. But all those old adages apply – out of the frying pan, into the fire and the devil you do know vs. the one you don’t and all that. Remember that even if the grass is greener on the other side you still have to mow it.
When it will sidetrack your career goals
I’ve known people who have accepted a promotion because it seemed like a no-brainer. (A step up? Well, sure! Don’t mind if I do!) But then when you’re standing on that higher step you’ll have a better view of where you were going in the first place and it might be all the more obvious that you’re not on the right path anymore.
When you want to do the work, not manage the people who want to do the work
This is a classic problem – you’re good at your job, so you get promoted and then you’re no longer doing the job but managing people. The skill sets are totally different, and while you might be a great widget maker (or whatever) you might not be such a stellar manager. Or you might hate it. Either way, if you want to keep doing what you love, carefully consider a promotional opportunity if it means you’ll end up doing less of that work.
When it will mean too much work and not enough life
Work-life balance is a precarious thing, and a lot of times when people get promoted they realize the scales get tipped too far and balance isn’t so easy to attain. No biggie if you’re a workaholic, but not too fun when more pay and more responsibility also mean you’re tied to your cell phone or eating a few too many pizza slices at the office late at night.
When the reward really isn’t worth it
A colleague of mine recently got asked to fill in for her departing boss, which is flattering and all, but there was a catch: The raise was paltry and she would have had to keep doing her own job as well. That’s not a promotion so much as a sucker punch.
Have you ever turned down a promotion, or worse, accepted one and regretted it?
Well done. I appreciated the honesty written here. I have to disagree a bit about the explanation under the first point "When you don’t like the job". I can see it being a win-win in both the short term and long term. In the short term who could argue the extra money isn't awesome? In the long term, having "Management Experience" (for example)listed on a resume might look good when applying for jobs you might really want elsewhere. Maybe a lot of this has to do with attitude.
Posted by: Ben W | 12/04/2011 at 12:47 AM
People, what does a promotion actually mean or do for you. If you enjoy what you are doing then do it . If you feel like a promotion will make you happy then think twice. Sometimes a promotion could be like a bad marriage and if the couple decide to have kids to make it better then thats a bad choice. If you feel a promotion will make you happy at a job then I feel sorry for you , Life should do that and living it is the reward. All work no play is not fun.
Posted by: John Doe | 12/04/2011 at 06:02 AM
any body watch doctor who? satellite 500? That's another reason you don't want to be promoted...
Posted by: boo | 12/04/2011 at 02:35 PM
I have one for you: You are promoted, but not actually promoted. That is to say your supervisor quits and well since the work needs to get done it falls to you. No "promotion", no title, no raise, just more responsibility. Not to mention you have to train up someone else to your job, fix their mistakes double check their work. This all happens while being understaffed, and worried that if you say something or make waves you could lose your job. Welcome to post recession population me.
Posted by: Ken | 12/04/2011 at 02:49 PM
People should read the book "The Peter Principle" the think about what their abilities are.
Posted by: CJ | 12/04/2011 at 03:07 PM
And the survey Says
Posted by: Pparker | 12/04/2011 at 03:39 PM
I have worked part time for the last 10 years, after retiring and selling my own business. My employer started asking me to opt for the full time job, and accept a junior management position. I'm so glad that I did not. I still have my holidays when I want them[about 6 weeks per year], make a decent hourly wage, and have watched OTHER people in that position either work themselves to death, or not work themselves to death, and get fired. If I wanted to do that, I would start another business.
Posted by: Don MacNeill | 12/04/2011 at 11:12 PM
either that is all fubar or I am getting old and going on to a new job could make you more money. better resume and since when are you expecting to remain on one job for life now?
get real take the chance to move on to the next level and if and when you get canned like every one else you can say I did it to them before they did it to me
Posted by: Mike | 12/06/2011 at 12:04 AM
Let's compare it to sports: Many great athletes make poor coaches or managers, so it is just the same in business. don't accept that promotion unless you are absolutely sure that you want it AND can do the new job.
Posted by: Marty | 12/14/2011 at 01:20 PM