GlenRoss

Account Executive

How long should you be in a role before working towards next promotion?

I may sound very impatient here but I’m more curious as to what the community thinks.

I recently was promoted and now when I have 1:1s with my boss’ boss I feel like I should still be having career conversations about next steps but it seems way too soon. When is an appropriate time to wait until I start talking about the next step in my career? 1 year? 6 months? 2 years?

🚀 Career Goals

13 comments

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WR Officer

👑

Depends what your goals are. Some people don't want another promotion and some have had their eye on a certain position since they had their first day.

I think you should always pursue opportunities to help you get closer to your end game goal. A good manager will find out what your goals are and do their best to help you get there.

When it comes to actively talking about a promotion, it really depends on the role. SDR to AE might take 6-12 months. AE to sales manager can be a year in a new start up, or 3-5 years in a large organization.

If you're feeling bored or understimulated in your role AND can prove that you're exceeding goals I don't think it's wrong to bring up the idea of a promotion. But also take into account how long it took for people previously in your shoes to move into the next step. You might feel ready after six months but if it took two years for everyone before you, you don't want to be asking about it at six months.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Ask when you feel like you're ready for your next adventure. Sounds like you are.

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

I’ve always tried to take a 3 year approach to positions. If it’s shorter, great. Tends to be that way. But if it’s longer, red flag.

FamilyTruckster

Politicker

Exec Director, Major Accounts

I’ve always tried to take a 3 year approach to positions. If it’s shorter, great. Tends to be that way. But if it’s longer, red flag.

learn as much as you can in the first year, grow the position as much as you can in the second, push for new opportunities in the third.

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

It's an interesting one, you always hear cases of 6 months and 1.5 years. I'd ask, nothing to lose but all to gain in my eyes. I'm literally about to have this exact convo with the CEO tomorrow morning...as long as you come across professional and optimistic then any outcome is a win, in a way.

washedD1soccer

Politicker

Regional Sales Manager

I think it is totally fine to share your intentions on future roles day one of any job. A good boss will help develop you and encourage you to reach career goals while also helping you reach your current role’s numbers. If I was your boss, I would rather have someone work for me who wants to perform at a high level for a promotion over someone who is content to stay in this role for a long time and just hit quota etc.

PhillySales

Opinionated

Director of Inside Sales

Somewhere between year 1 and year 2. Depends on timing with roles opening up and the pay cycle of the company.

SlinginSoftware

Politicker

Account Executive

Honestly, I started having conversations about the next role during the first 1:1 with my new manager 4 years ago. I don’t think there is anything wrong with making your career goals known so you can work with your leader towards them. I ended up being promoted in around 18months…without involving him on day one, he would have had no idea what my ambitions were.

Have the conversation early and often!

linkedinconnectmaster

Politicker

CEO

6 months

GDO

Politicker

BDM

Early on every year IMO.

dadasaurus

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

Immediately when you think you are ready! It can never hurt to put yourself out there and make your intentions known - just make sure you are at the top of the heap in your present role....

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

ISR

I mean I’ve never been with an org that looks month to month unless you are a BDR. Whether it’s month 1 of qtr or month 3 it shouldn’t be relevant. The forecast nazi’s can pound sand.

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

I mean I’ve never been with an org that looks month to month unless you are a BDR. Whether it’s month 1 of qtr or month 3 it shouldn’t be relevant. The forecast nazi’s can pound sand.

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GlenRoss

How long should you be in a role before working towards next promotion?

13 comments

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