Promised promotion hasn't come?

I was promised a promotion to SDR Manager from SDR if I hit certain metrics at a startup. However, after hitting the desired goals the goalpost was moved, and then again should I give up and leave or keep jumping through the hoops hoping it would happen?

๐Ÿค˜ Personal Growth
16
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
๐ŸฆŠ
Time to start looking a new job on the down low friend.
jefe
Arsonist
1
๐Ÿ
They've done it once so they'll likely do it again. Either you find a new gig, or they come through and you just stop hunting.
BTQ
Politicker
2
Account Manager
Ahh the moving goal posts. Keep doing what you're doing but can't hurt to apply and see what's out there.
Curious why you want to be a manny instead of an AE?
JCG139
Member
3
Enterprise SDR
I currently do a lot of the front-line manager responsibilities and I get so much more fulfillment from training and helping people grow and succeed.
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
Were you given that promise in writing?
JCG139
Member
2
Enterprise SDR
No, I'm kicking myself for not asking for that it was several conversations with the CRO and I took their word.
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
Well yes anything verbal doesn't guarantee always. For how long this has been happening? It doesn't hurt to look outside but do you think you can get the same role?
JCG139
Member
0
Enterprise SDR
About a year and a half ago it started that I donโ€™t know my Director is more than willing to be a reference for me if I do look outside the company.
lowhangersalesbanger
Executive
2
Director of Sales
I was in this exact situation a couple of years ago. What it came down to for me was a question of whether or not I was ok working for people who respected me so little that they would lie or mislead me.
Staying in that job in my opinion demonstrates to them that you don't value yourself so why should they value you?
Apply for the job you want while keeping the job you have. And when the day comes that you get that job and your leadership asks why you are leaving just be honest. The other company valued your experience more and wasn't making you wait for what you already earned.
fidelcashflow
Catalyst
2
Account Executive
Moved twice?! Come on.
I would start looking elsewhere. I was in a very similar situation and waiting it out did not help.

My goal post was moved about every month. So I waited 7 months about. Towards the end I basically called my Director out and said you need to follow up on this and I demanded the job. They came back and said they would not just give it to me (Even though they said it was mine 7 months ago) and I will need to interview with external candidates. I laughed at that and took another job at a company that recruited me. Best decision of my life and I am only where I am at because of leaving that company.

My friend has decided to stay there an extra 2.5 years and has seen NO advancement. Not a dig on him but he decided to stay and it got him no where.

I would try and come to a resolution and plan with them. If they blow that off, dip!
2
Chief Revenue Officer
5 years experience as an SDR is valuable. I like that you get value out of training and leading others. It seems that leadership is under pressure from investors to maintain a profitability track. This common and not unique to your company.
When a company does not honor its promise to an employee more than once there should be a concern. i think it would be acceptable to look externally.
Here is a hard question - Is there reason for not promoting you accurate? Self awareness is tough. More than once in my career have I thought I was ready for the next step and I wasn't.
JCG139
Member
1
Enterprise SDR
I donโ€™t think so as my Director has been desperately asking our CRO for my promotion to help take some stuff off his plate I donโ€™t think he would do that if he didnโ€™t think I was ready.
1
Chief Revenue Officer
Then it sounds like it you might be a casualty of an EBITDA play.
If you like the company, your colleagues, your boss and your pay you might want to stay. It never hurts to casually search. You have some good experience. Best of luck.
JCG139
Member
0
Enterprise SDR
Thanks appreciate it
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
This is some great advice.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
What was their reasoning
JCG139
Member
1
Enterprise SDR
That they donโ€™t think Iโ€™m ready for it and they are trying to cut costs for investors.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Ok, so when they say they donโ€™t think youโ€™re ready, did they actually give reasons? Things to work on? Iโ€™d hone in on those things.
JCG139
Member
1
Enterprise SDR
They did not it felt more like a blow off than a legit reason as I'm currently running one-on-one team calls mock calling and interviewing new SDRs working with the SDRs on messaging.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Yeah, any time thereโ€™s an answer like this, specifics are key. Not saying youโ€™ve done anything wrong or there isnโ€™t a fair amount of bs on their end, but pinning them down on exactly what it is will be important.

How they have answered to this point is basically a stiff arm, and Iโ€™d be doubling down on my search for a new job. Theyโ€™re a start up, they most likely want someone with experience ultimately, and they donโ€™t want to give you the promotion or increase, because theyโ€™re getting what they need from you already.
JCG139
Member
1
Enterprise SDR
Ok that was where I was leaning as the frustration of doing more without the pay or the promotion has been adding up.
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
1
๐Ÿบ
keep killing it until they cant deny a promotion, if you like the company and people. if youre not that thrilled about it start looking else where but it'll be hard to get a manager role without experience as a manager on the resume so keep that in mine.
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
Confront them about it. Tell them you will lose your trust if they keep doing this. Start looking around for a new gig can't hurt
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
What did they say when they moved the goalposts?
JCG139
Member
1
Enterprise SDR
First, it was like I needed to prove that I could outbound then once I did they wanted to prove that I could handle call coaching and running team calls then it was proving i could run interviews.
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Have you called them out on it yet?
JCG139
Member
0
Enterprise SDR
Ya and no I'm in Limbo waiting for a new funding round so i feel stuck
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Start looking elsewhere, but donโ€™t jump until you have something new.

How long have you been an SDR? At this company, and in total?
JCG139
Member
1
Enterprise SDR
2 years at this company 5 in total at 2 other companies
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
So you do have the overall experience to move on up. Iโ€™d definitely be looking externally.
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
I would rather wait for a new one particularly if the reason why it was moved is justified..Got a chance to know??
3

Should I wait out a promotion, or look for a new job?

Question
16
Stay or Go?
56% Stay
44% Go
34 people voted
8

CEO makes VP of sales roll back verbal promises on promotion eligibility.

Discussion
11