Just applied for a promotion

Owleyes00

…and regretting it!

it’s a job I would love one day but currently two grades above where I am at the moment. I got persuaded to apply by a colleague who told me I had nothing to lose.

Will they just think I’m being ridiculous?

Also only been on my current team a few months. Have been in the same role longer but moved areas for a shorter commute. Work were so good to me about moving areas I’m worried they will think I am throwing it back in their face by applying for a job that will require commuting again😬

Sandtree

Many of us are willing to put up with a longer commute in exchange for more money and in many cases its deadmans shoes and so if you dont go for it now there is no promise if its a month or two years before the next opportunity comes up. 

"Two grades" doesnt necessarily mean anything to someone outside of your organisation and even inside it there can be complexity in grading systems. In my last engagement with call centres for Sales and Service you had 3 grades of advisor CS1-3 and a team leader was a Professional1 grade whereas in Claims advisors were CS2-3 and a team leader was a Professional2 and so anyone going from team member to team leader in claims jumped a grade (the exception was in the high value claims areas where senior team members could be a Professional1 too). 

Worst case, they see you are interested in progressing but say no off the bat... seeing as they appear to be a helpful organisation it may instead be a "no but here's a plan to help you work towards getting such a role in the future". 

Best case, you get the job. Inbetween is you get an interview etc but arent selected and again they can help you create a development plan to get you there (plus you now know the sort of Qs they ask at interview)

Owleyes00

Sorry by two grades I mean it is above my current manager’s level but below her line manager’s level if that makes sense? Bit of an odd structure 

Sandtree

Owleyes00 said:

Sorry by two grades I mean it is above my current manager’s level but below her line manager’s level if that makes sense? Bit of an odd structure 

Company grading systems rarely do, especially when you zoom into specific areas etc where there may be gaps. 

You understand your companies system and are probably the best to know how big a jump it was... in my example there were people that went from CS3 sales and service advisor to a P2 claims team leader which in theory leapfrogged their previous P1 sales teal leader... in practice the role above team leader in both sides was a "manager 1" and so at some point almost everyone skipped a grade because crossing the floor from S&S to Claims was fairly rare. 

In the new role would your current manager be reporting to you or would you be in another strand of the chain? That can be an odd dynamic to deal with but thankfully you are fairly new to them anyway.

I did once have a slightly odd situation because in the company you had two grades, first was that CS3/P1 malarkey that somewhat defined your salary, benefits etc but then also how many levels removed you were from the CEO which impacted the discrimination of certain information, payment authorisation etc. I  

Owleyes00

I would mean moving back onto a managerial role on my old team where I would be working alongside my old manager at a higher level but they wouldn’t be reporting to be directly if that makes sense?

My partner says I should just view it as an opportunity to express an interest in development in general and as interview practice but I’m just worried about them thinking I’m ridiculous and/or that I have ideas above my station

TELLIT01

If you have decided that you are not ready for the level of responsibility that goes with the job, let your employer know and withdraw your application.  Better that than to go through an interview, possibly get the job, feel unable at that stage to say 'No' and screw up.

MalMonroe

Owleyes00 said:

…and regretting it!

it’s a job I would love one day but currently two grades above where I am at the moment. I got persuaded to apply by a colleague who told me I had nothing to lose.

Will they just think I’m being ridiculous?

Also only been on my current team a few months. Have been in the same role longer but moved areas for a shorter commute. Work were so good to me about moving areas I’m worried they will think I am throwing it back in their face by applying for a job that will require commuting again😬

I agree with your partner. Also your colleague who said you have nothing to lose. Employers are often impressed by those who want to improve their lives and get on in their careers. Don't worry what anyone thinks about you - and I doubt your employer will be bothered about the fact that you will have to commute again. As long as you get to work, employers don't really care how you do it.

Also, you may have applied but -not being rude - there is no guarantee that you'll be asked to interview. If you are and you don't feel like you want to go ahead just explain that you've been thinking about your application and have decided that it may not be the best course of action for you right now, or something like that.

Don't feel that you 'have ideas above your station'. Try to feel confident about your own abilities and go for it! I've known many people who don't have a lot of ability but have loads of self-confidence. They usually go far. Which doesn't seem fair really.

elsien

So do you actually want the job? Only your “it’s a job I would love one day” isn’t entirely clear. 

kimwp

Say you're happy and feel really grateful for your current role and their consideration regarding moving and tell people it's a job you'd love to do and that's why you're applying (if they ask). I wouldn't worry about it being two grades up, the point is can you learn to do the job, which they will make a decision on. If you get rejected, ask for feedback and a coach to help you with a development plan to fill your skills gaps so you can be successful at an application in the future.