How to be Taken Seriously for a Promotion?
Asked by Curiusly Interested
I have been a perm. employee w/ my company for 4 mnths (6 mnths temp before that). I want to go after a new sales position that is opening up in another state. I currently support the national sales team, the sales manager & division president. I mentioned it to my boss in passing (the N'tl Sales Mgr.), but he didn't take me seriously. I don't have a lot of direct sales experience, but I do have many years of experience in the following: customer service, administrative, managerial and retail. Plus I already know how to do the adminstrative part of the sales job &I think I could really do well at it. My guestions are: How can I get my boss to take me seriously? How should I present the second request - verbally or in writing? Would it be a good idea to come out & ask him, "What can I do to s to show you that I can do it?"? Thanks! I would eventually have to apply for the job, by my boss is the person who does the hiring for this position.

Best Answer:
I think you want to actually apply for the job through your human resources dept, rather than ask your boss. That's how it works in the company I work for...any job opening--whether 'up' (promotion) or 'down', must be formally applied for, via job application/resume. And no amount of boss-asking will help. I guess it's a good thing. But, if your boss actually is the only key, then I --in your postion -- would hand him a resume specifically written to my qualifications for the position, and say, "Here boss, please consider me...thanx." (and smile!)

What you may want to consider is proving that you have the ability locally. Your boss is probably concerned about putting his reputation on line with the other division as he may not feel that you have experience. So ask him if it is possible that you can have the opportunity to "prove" yourself locally.
Answered by stellar2be

Hi, You are really a talented person. I appreciate it. To prove yourself fit for that job, you need to understand clearly the ground reality of that job. Take the strong and weak areas of that job profile. Make a presentation and request your boss for the time to present it. Highlight the weak sections and recomend some methods to improve the same and show the bigger picture how really it helps Appreciate the Strong methodologies adopted in the job segment. This way I believe you can get the attraction of your boss and show how serious you are about that job. All the best! Thank you, Regards, Ravid
Answered by ravid

...try considering trainings...but if you believe you're up to it...file application to the right department......and ask the boss instead if you could list him as character reference instead...
Answered by i wiSh i KnEw

Be assertive, confident, and professional in directly (not casually) requesting to be considered for this position. If your boss has a hard time taking you seriously, honestly ask yourself: Has my performance in my job duties earned me a transfer or promotion, or have I just been so-so? Am I ready to take on the challenge of the job I want to transfer to? If you aren't sure if you're ready, it will show. Only expect your manager to see you're ready if you can see it in yourself first. Am I ready to move on to this new job, and my manager is only preventing me because he is a total schmoe? If the manager just can't take you seriously, maybe you can still make this transition, but with another company. Be sure before you leap that you aren't job hopping too much. No matter what you may read about how "everyone" job hops these days and it's no biggy, it is still a biggy. Take your move seriously. Best, Jello
Answered by Jello Perez

Find out what the company policy is about switching jobs. Some places have a minimum like 6 months. Next ask to speak to your boss, a formal appointment. Tell him you are interested in find out out about the position and why. If he says your not what he is looking for, ask him to help you put together a development plan that would make you a possible candidate in the future. Be serious, dress the part (always from now on), and go for it. They aren't going to hand anything to you - not if you don't ask.
Answered by Maggie Jeans