Employee accepts a job with the possibility of growth, only to discover his boss was gatekeeping him and modifying his job so he wasn’t considered for it and she could get it instead: ‘I lasted about four months and then left.’

Advertisement
I had accepted a job that was far enough away that the commute was eating up my life, and I didn't want to make the kids change where they lived, so I rented a spare room from someone near the office and stayed there most days of the week. That arrangement wore me down quickly, so when I got an interview for a job close to home, I was very excited. No more living out of a bag. Officially, the job was lower than the one I had,
People discussing around a table.
closer to a regular analyst role even though I was a senior analyst, but I was willing to take less money if it meant getting my evenings back. The interview was with a small panel: the department manager, someone from HR, and a woman they introduced as the group's lead analyst. Honestly, I felt like it was going well. At the end, when the manager asked me if I had any final questions, I asked what the opportunities for promotion
or development looked like there. He said something along the lines of the timing being funny, because he was planning to expand and create a new team and add a supervisory role within about 18 months. He said that with my background, I would probably be a strong candidate for the direction he wanted that team to go in. As soon as he said that, I saw the lead analyst's face turn
completely red. I noticed it, but at the time I didn't really understand what I was seeing. Anyway, I got hired. And it turned out that the woman whose face had turned red was my team lead, and she had her eye on that upcoming supervisor position. She had no interest in seeing me succeed. She kept me from working with anyone outside our group, quietly changed parts of my role so that I had fewer real responsibilities, second-guessed
everything I did, and generally made the place unbearable. I lasted about four months and then left. Before that, I would have said that asking about growth opportunities was one of the safest interview questions you could ask. Apparently not in that room.
A blurry picture of a man waiting for the subway.
thebluedaughter A jealous, insecure team lead is going to treat anyone competent as a threat and try to hold them back. I don't think you did anything wrong. The hiring manager, on the other hand, should have phrased that differently. Back when I managed a team, interviewees asked this all the time. I would answer that we have multiple levels within our team, allowing for growth and promotion without having to wait for a
lead/supervisor position to open up. Your hiring manager could have said something similar informative, but noncommittal. ESPECIALLY with the lead in the room! I'd feel so betrayed in her shoes.
Fun_Customer_8989 D in, im sorry to hear that. I'm sure you will get a bunch of comments stating how you should've done this and that. How you should have collected evidence, presented your case, got her fired, got the promotion, and went on to be an executive. Unfortunately this is the real world, where you were brand new and she had seniority. Even in a perfect world where you were able to prove your case, it's easier for the company to get rid of you. Best of luck to your future
Life-Ocelot9439 Insecure leaders are the WORST. Bullet dodged. If it makes you feel any better, I suffered one for two years. Hellish. Fast forward ten years, and I was more senior than her in another department. She was at risk of redundancy and called me to recommend her to a hiring manager. I said I'd make the introduction.
Afterwards, the hiring manager called me and asked what it was like working for her. I just said I couldn't really remember. I think they got the hint. She didn't get the job. Not sure if I did right or wrong, but the point is, what goes around, comes around.
wastamitime If you had never asked that question her behavior would have been the same as she's also aware of your skills and background. Don't sweat it.
19BG19 Nothing worse than working for an insecure leader. I want my team to be a stepping stone not a tombstone. If you get a new opportunity internally or externally that is better than your current one I'm going to be happy for you. Hopefully while working under me you learned some things that will help you in your future endeavors.
Obvious_Jellyfish_16 I asked about growth opportunities; they said people usually are promoted 6 months to a year after hire. guess who got a rejection hours later? C'est moi!
Alive_Room6023 I definitely would have let the manager know what your reasons were behind leaving.
Narrow-Ad5999 I'm so sorry you had that experience! I had a supervisor at my previous job who said she didn't want anything to do with me, when though we worked on the same shift at one point, because I was apparently saying nasty things about her, which isn't true AT ALL. I ultimately left the company entirely after I figured out what was really going on behind the scenes. The company I worked for is now being sued over employment issues.

Tags

Scroll Down For The Next Article