I was interviewed for an internal job promotion recently, and immediately afterward they gave me the results. The news wasn’t what I’d hoped for: I wasn’t being promoted. A few days later, I’m still thinking about it.
The promotion, I was told, came with a hefty price tag – sacrifice. Long hours, working weekends, fourteen-hour days – these were presented not as options, but as the required norm. One of the interviewers even went so far as to highlight my unwillingness to work overtime as a red flag. Well, “Right back, at you”, I thought. “It’s a red flag about you too.”
I’ve got tremendous respect for my company’s Team Leaders. They do go above and beyond expectations. Aside from that, they show their commitment to the job even before being promoted. Looking at it this way, I’m the odd one out. I have always pushed back on overtime, never volunteering for OTY, as they call it (Overtime, Thank You! Or unpaid overtime). Looking at it from my managers’ viewpoint, I would not have promoted me either.
Naivety aside, the position I desired came with overwork. That’s the plain and simple truth. The question was whether I was willing to do it or not.
While I acknowledge this fact, the company’s formula for advancing further in a career at the price of personal sacrifice doesn’t sit well with me. I cannot give to the company what precious little I have of my self-respect.
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s okay not to be promoted as long as I can be authentic.
The morning after the disastrous interview, I woke miffed. Even though I stood my ground, there was a lingering sense of self-doubt. I needed to do something to restore my sense of balance and perspective. Luckily, it was the weekend of the Philippine Book Festival, the perfect opportunity to see my publisher and author friends. Being around such highly imaginative people outside my work and family life always does wonders.
During the event, I listened to talks, engaged in meaningful conversations with old acquaintances, and made new connections. It was a blast! I forgot my problems for a while. Whenever I’m with highly creative and ambitious people like my writer friends, I’m inspired to be just as bold.
After a good night’s sleep back home I woke up refreshed, able to see my situation in a better light.
And so, the bigger picture emerged. Months ago, when I became the company’s project-appointed wellness champion, I took it seriously. In my mind, a promotion to Team Manager offered the chance to lead by example. I thought that if I were promoted, I would be lauded for practicing what I preached— embodying wellness and not just paying lip service by conducting attendance checks. But I was wrong.
Now, where to go from here?
I remember being at a crossroads shortly before being interviewed for the promotion. The options were to stick with my company, supposedly after I get promoted, or to start anew with another company and another role.
However, two weeks passed and there was radio silence, so I assumed the other company ghosted me. Then, as I was about to write them off, I received an invite for a Zoom call to discuss the job offer. The position? Company psychologist.
The new role aligns very well with my personal mission-vision, but can I walk away from the stability of my current company?
There’s a saying in Chinese about following the natural course of events: 随顺因缘 (Learn to go with the flow and not force anything). Is the new job the path I should take?
I can’t say I have the answers now.
The featured image on this blog was AI-generated by me using free tools, namely ChatGPT, Canva, and Leonardo AI. I use these images to support my written content creatively and cost-effectively.
