‘Executive’ or ‘senior executive’? What a difference a word makes
I have recently moved into a new role with a large international professional services firm. I was recruited at the level of “executive”, which is similar to a senior team member. My boss, the national partner for our sector, and who interviewed me for the role, started referring to me as a “senior executive” (manager) when I started, in correspondence with other teams, and in proposals for new work.
I checked with HR and confirmed I was an “executive”. My boss also confirmed the same thing. Since then, he has referred to me as a “senior executive” but I have a niggling thought that if he thinks I am that level, shouldn’t I be that level, and get paid at that level?
The next round of promotions will not be until October (once a year at our firm). Should I email him confirming our conversation?
PS: the jump between executive and senior executive is significant, as you take on more responsibility in a management sense, and get paid more.
Jeremy says
Your PS is important. If the jump between executive and senior executive is that significant, I find it difficult to understand how there can be such confusion over your exact status. If you’d been asked to take on more responsibility in a management sense you’d surely have noticed. You’ve checked with HR – and it confirms that you are at executive level. It’s only your boss who still persistently refers to you as “senior” executive – and even he has confirmed by email that he sees you as “an executive”. At your probation meeting you wasted an excellent opportunity to settle this matter once and for all.
I can see that you find all this extremely unsatisfactory – but I’m afraid I can’t agree that you have a case to be promoted with immediate effect. You’re being paid as an executive because that’s what you are; and without the interventions of your muddled boss, there would be no question about it.
I suggest that you do send an email confirming your recent conversation – but not demanding instant promotion. Instead, thank him for saying that he sees you as already operating at senior executive level – and express the hope that he will feel able to recommend you for a formal appointment in October.
Being pushy now is unlikely to be successful – and likely only to incur the displeasure of both your boss and HR.
Readers say
• I would clarify with both HR and your boss your exact job title. Try to negotiate the pay rise as well. If they don’t give one, get a job at a rival firm in three months. One of your only bargaining chips to get the pay rise is that it will cost them in recruitment to replace you – also mention the market rates.
Vnobbyjon
• It’s sounds as if your boss is someone who recognises employees’ work and capabilities, rather than their grade on paper. Lucky you! While it can be annoying to be identified as someone at a more senior level, without the pay and conditions that go along with it, you could also view it that, as your boss already thinks of you in that way and the people he talks with also think of you as a senior executive, then there is a high chance that you can officially be promoted to that role.
It sounds as if your boss is on your side and willing you to make the necessary leap up.
Don’t miss the annual round of promotions just because you are too grateful for your job to ask! Jazzactivist
• Use your new job title and responsibilities as experience to apply for a post elsewhere with the money that you’re looking for. Tob5id
• You could take it as a hint that your boss is going to support you jumping up in the organisation.
I would ask them explicitly what their intentions are, then confirm the conversation in an email. You don’t say how long your manager has been in the role – perhaps they’ve been around quite a while, and know how to circumvent HR processes to effect that jump? todrisin
• “Good morning, Homer Simpson – Junior Executive Vice President – how may I direct your call?” jon1972
Great job and a great company. It’s just a pity about my motivation
I work for a company I respect and which works in a sector of real interest. I also feel I’m treated pretty well, with opportunities for progression and personal development.
However, my day-to-day activities are generally unfulfilling and every day I am bored by lunchtime and desperate for distraction (eg, Guardian website). I find myself spending half the day on online games.
The nature of my work (high-value sales) means one or two successes a year is probably sufficient and I could carry on like this for a long time.
I therefore find it hard to motivate myself to look for something else.
I have to say I have found the same has happened in previous positions – I get bored easily but am also lazy and scared of applying for greater responsibility. How can I motivate myself?
Jeremy says
I confess to some astonishment that there are jobs that pay a decent salary for achieving no more than “one or two successes a year”. That might be enviable to many – but I can also see how it could lead to boredom on your part.
I don’t think you’re lazy. I think you’ve failed to find – or chosen not to look for – tasks that engage and challenge your fertile mind. Progression doesn’t always mean “applying for greater responsibility”. It can mean publicly taking on problems that others would shy away from. With colleagues watching, your fear of failure will be more than enough to keep boredom at bay.
You work in a sector of real interest; your company offers you opportunities for personal development. Go and grab them – and frighten yourself into productive activity.
Readers say
• You spend too much time at work not to feel it is worth doing and it seems likely that you won’t feel good about yourself as a result. There are many books out there. Try reading about “flow” or positive psychology to help work out what you are lacking. deepjoy
• Don’t waste your life. Ask yourself what it is you really want to do and pursue that – there must be something that excites you or that you’ve always longed to do but you’ve put off because “life” got in the way. ID3595975
• Enjoy it. There are many people being treated like rubbish at work. Trickaluss
• All those afternoons online gaming? Do some voluntary work for a charity. kjwestsussex
• Life is a gift and the last thing one wants is to come to the end of your working days unsatisfied and stale and in a cynical and angry state. You are currently someone who does enough rather than a person who wants to excel. Find a new job that demands that you’re out of your lazy comfort zone. Reaching 60 and reflecting on all those wasted years is the alternative. Williamblackadder
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
