you have been working as helpdesk analyst for 3 years in a job. Last one year you have been working on million different projects. Basically you are not doing anything what you were hired for. For exactly one year since Feb 2007, you were taken off your job and put on projects and processes to work with a Business Systems Analyst from another department. You were also reporting to senior director and constantly doing things for her on projects. your manager is someone new who has been in the department for only 6 months…you have a good relationship with him but he doesn’t seems to know or sees how much you have invested in this job in 3 years. He also doesn’t seems to have much say since director has to make the final decision. Anyways, I realize that now that they will not budge or do anything unless I make my move. Really need to sit down and create a portfolio on what I have done so far in one year. I want them to create a position for me for BA in the department since I do now have one year expereince and I have been working and doing exactly same what another BA has been doing in another department. I have learned so much from him and we have been working as team for one year and have delivered many things. It is time to get recognized or move on.
First I would like to present this to my manager and let him take my case to my senior director. What is the best way to present a proposal? Is it a good idea to write a letter first stating the reasons such as what role do I play in this departmnet…senior helpdesk analyst doesn’t cut it anymore. Then suggest what I want them to do for me? Then present my work that I have done in one year?
This is not about money…i just got a promotion a while back…more about getting recognized. Very confused and need help…thanks
Re: Promotion Portfolio
JP… you’re on the right track in your opting to come up with a portfolio to highlight your recent engagements and accomplishments.
However, a usual first step is to arrange for a brief meeting with your superior(s) andgive them a heads up on what’s going through your mind. In doing so, you need to keep the dialogue brief and upbeat. You’re pretty much going to say what you’ve written in your post above but put a positive spin on it. Avoid what are commonly known as “promotional viruses”… i.e. the type of statements that can lapse your plans. Rather than saying “I wasn’t hired to do that”… you should emphasize that you understand that job positions can expand and contract with changes in business… and over time you’ve taken on larger and broader workloads with utmost interest and capitalized upon opportunities to learn and expand your knowledge on the aspects of business that are of increasing importance to your employer.
Also, it often helps to revere your boss and ask them to give you his/her insights about opportunities that may be suitable for you… and how you can prepare yourself for moving up. This will show respect and courtesy and work to your advantage.
As far as creating a portfolio, make sure that you list your responsibilities, recent training upgrades and new credentials, and while highlighting your tasks, incorporate hard data such as metrics and indicators that can illustrate accomplishments. This can include things like improved project deadlines, advancing milestones, surpassing deliverables, product and service improvements etc.
Additionally, if you can get customer/client testimonials and reference letters from other superiors and colleagues… use those as well.
Hope this helps… and good luck with everything!
Re: Promotion Portfolio
This is not about money...i just got a promotion a while back...more about getting recognized. Very confused and need help...thanks
I can see where you are coming from. It can get a little frustrating if you are not being recognized for the hard work you are putting in. We all need a morale boost every now and then..however, I am not clear what kind of recognition do you have in mind...job title?
Are your skills improving in the current job? Do you have a future in terms of growth? Are you happy with the pay?
If your answer is No to any one of the questions above then it is time to move on.At your age three years is a long time to do the same job...you should diversify your skills set to have more opportunities come your way.
Re: Promotion Portfolio
Excellent reply Umar.
Jal Pari, have your portfolio ready. Work on it first, list down what you have done and be careful about overselling but be generous. And then have a casual meeting with the manager over coffee or something... dont start with a letter. Do exactly as Umar has suggested... be upbeat and positive... put your hand up for any internal opportunities that come up or show your interest anyway if something might be in the pipeline... tell him/her what you have been upto and that you have created a little list of things and projects you have been a part of and the skills you have developed and that you'd like to send that to him/her as well.. and go from there. But yeah, definitely move forward... you have to create opportunities, they dont always fall in your lap.
Re: Promotion Portfolio
:biggthumb
this is so useful! All posts so far
Re: Promotion Portfolio
woww greattttt advice guys...thank you sooo mmuch......I am setting up a meeting with my manager soon to give him some heads up and how I feel...then I am going to present him my proposal