Promotion time frame from associate to assistant manager or MIT for f.y.e.?
Asked by Ashley
I was wondering, if my eventual goal was to move up in the company, how much time can a full time sales associate expect to keep that job at before he or she is available to move onto assistant manager position, or then be promoted to a manager in training or eventually manager? One year, 5 years, 6 months?

Best Answer:
it usually takes a long time to move up in companies. My friend works for F.Y.E. has been there 3 years and still no promotion. He and i seemed to find that a lot of retail chains hire management from without. But some from within. it just has become more and more rare. It also depends on how often the assistant manager position comes open. if it is constantly filled, and every chain i've worked at has always had the same person for long periods of time, then it could be many years, or you could get a few years experience then go apply to be an assistant manager somewhere else. it depends. promoting to assistant manager isnt like a step by step process, the position has to be open, youve had to have worked there awhile, plus have the experience they want, and even then they might not give it to you. unlike some other careers where you get promoted after certain time spans, not everyone in a store gets promoted at all, many leave, and other times even when hiring for the position they hire from outside. but good luck. TBP

This is hard to answer because it depends on the size and structure of the organization you are working in, as well as additional factors around seniority, meeting or exceeding quotas, etc. However- I think the fact that you are looking ahead, especially within your current organization speaks volumes for you in terms of growth potential. I would schedule a one-on-one meeting with your current manager or with your human resource representative and use that time to discuss the long term growth plan and timelines associated with it. Since November is approaching, most companies hold year end reviews with all employess in 4th quarter- so that will be another opportunity to discuss this. If they can't provide you with a specific time frame (i.e 2 yrs in this role before you move up) then ask them what specific experiences, quotas, etc. you need to obtain before you could move ahead. Then ask them how they can help you to get those skills.
Answered by Amy L

Might be years, might never happen. Depends on the company, and also of course on your performance and perceived potential.
Answered by Judy