I Just Can’t Get Ahead Here

That can be far from the whole story, however.

Individual initiative has long been lauded as an important part of America’s business culture.  So, when it appears that an employer is deliberately setting up roadblocks to someone’s advancement, empathy is an immediate reaction.

After nearly a dozen years spent watching how valuation careers really work, though, we’d suggest a more skeptical response.

It’s probably not a surprise to you to hear that the demand for quality talent with valuation experience continues to grow, nationwide.  While they’re trying to attract talent, employers have to get the most out of the staff they have.  Don’t you have to ask yourself: Why wouldn’t my boss want me to advance as far and as fast as I can?

• If you’re picking up signals that you’re being passed over for assignments (and your boss hasn’t actually sat down and talked with you about it), start with a look in the mirror.  Think about when you’ve not made it clear that you want to take on more.  When was the last time you asked to be able to handle more parts of a particular engagement?
• Are you doing outside reading that advances your understanding of the work you’re doing?  Valuation thought develops over time.  It’s important to stay up to date.  Every now and then, pass along an article to your boss with a quick note about what you picked up from reading it, or how it might apply in a recent project.
• You may simply need to request your own face-to-face with the boss to learn about the obstacles to your advancement.  Take that advice to heart.  Management has every incentive to have you be successful.  Pay attention to what they say.

It may be hard news to hear.  But, when you’re not the one advancing, it probably has more to do with you than anyone else.  If you really have made a serious effort and roadblocks remain, contact us to begin a dialogue about your next steps.