Asking for your bosses job

[jelloshots4all]

So I found out on Monday that my boss resigned last week.  He and his wife are buying a company.  Totally unexpected. I'm still in shock a bit.

I had previously told him when he retired in 5-7 yrs I wanted his job.  He was cool with that.

So I contacted corporate and told them i want his job.  I am on hold right now.  They are deciding the direction the want to go.  I totally understand.

All white male execs in leadership.  I would be the 1st female.    I think they are checking with legal as well as their other options.  I have it in writing that I applied for the job.

Looking for advice on how to play this.

BTW I do mine and my boss's job.  I can handle this.

[Bonny]

I think it's great you're going for it.

Good luck!!!

[jelloshots4all]

Thanks Bonny!  I was on needles after I decided to be aggressive and go after it.  I'm glad I did no matter how it turns out. 

[Deleted]

Not knowing the intangibles I think you have a great shot. Don't let them lowball you on the pay, sometimes they will toss 5% at you thinking you are happy with the title.

[Anne_in_VA]

Good luck!  I hope you get it.

[janee]

Good for you! Can you ask your current boss for a recommendation or advice on what puts you in the best place to get the job? Presumably he has more experience with corporate and HR?  Also ask him what you need to work on.  You may be surprised there are other aspects of the job you're not as aware of.

Either way, good luck! You're doing a good thing for yourself. Much better to try than not try.  Keep us posted!

[sesfw]

Go for it .......... YEA !!!!!!!!!

Good luck and lots of   

[Bonny]

Mar 3, 2017 10:31:03 GMT -5 janee said:

Good for you! Can you ask your current boss for a recommendation or advice on what puts you in the best place to get the job? Presumably he has more experience with corporate and HR?  Also ask him what you need to work on.  You may be surprised there are other aspects of the job you're not as aware of.

Either way, good luck! You're doing a good thing for yourself. Much better to try than not try.  Keep us posted!

This can be helpful but let me warn you that the boss' boss may want to take the opportunity to take the job in a different direction. If you are comfortable with the concept of taking the boss' boss for coffee do it as an informational interview.

[janee]

Mar 3, 2017 11:26:59 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Mar 3, 2017 10:31:03 GMT -5 janee said:

Good for you! Can you ask your current boss for a recommendation or advice on what puts you in the best place to get the job? Presumably he has more experience with corporate and HR?  Also ask him what you need to work on.  You may be surprised there are other aspects of the job you're not as aware of.

Either way, good luck! You're doing a good thing for yourself. Much better to try than not try.  Keep us posted!

This can be helpful but let me warn you that the boss' boss may want to take the opportunity to take the job in a different direction. If you are comfortable with the concept of taking the boss' boss for coffee do it as an informational interview.

Excellent idea.  Try to talk to both your boss and the boss' boss.

[Phoenix84]

I'm glad you went for it.  Many women (and more than a few men) sabotage their own careers by not taking risks and feeling like they can only apply when they know everything.

[dee27]

Go for it Jello! Good luck.

[jelloshots4all]

Thanks for the support and great tips!

1.  I know what my boss makes for salary and bonus as his boss funnels it through me (payroll is under me).  I would ask for at least a 25% increase, maybe more.    40% would get me closer to what he started w 2.5 yrs ago w Corp
2.  I have asked to meet corporate boss to discuss what their expectations are.  He said they are mulling options and would let me know early next week
3.  I asked my boss (via email this week as he has been out the last 3 days) to discuss his thoughts.  He left before we could talk today.  I think he may be checking out, but he has always been a huge proponent of mine including reviews, salary increases, bonuses
3a.  I asked my bosses boss what training I would need to do this job.  I truly don't think I need additional training as I negotiate all contracts with customers and vendors.  However, we all have weaknesses and if they are unsure about me, I want to know.
4.  HR, IT, Accounting, Costing reports to me.  I often have to fill my boss in on whats going on with the company as I am connected to every aspect
5.  When reports go to Big Boss, I write them for my boss every month, annually, budgets, and customer issues.  He had me write one last week and send it from me (hopefully he was trying to help me out).
6.  I wanted it to come straight from me as opposed to from him.  So it wasn't "hey Jello is interested in my job".  It was Jello stating- "Hey I want this job. I can do this job"
7.  Bosses boss stated Monday how happy they are on our performance.  We rank 2nd in all their divisions in terms of profitability.  We are a beacon as opposed to a train wreck

Regardless of how it turns out, I'm glad I stuck up for ME!  And am fighting for ME!  It has been empowering that I didn't get a straight out NO.  Might be a stall tactic, I do think Corp thinks highly of me and has asked me to handle very confidential info. 

BUT my industry is INCREDIBLY "Good Old Boys Club".  They may be afraid of me LOL

Thanks all!!!

[busymom]

Best wishes jelloshots4all!

[Kolt!]

Keep us updated! I hope you get it! Best luck!

[jelloshots4all]

You all are awesome.  I'm betting 80-90% on a NO, but that slight chance is good.  And will not make me feel less of myself if I don't get it.  If the other internal candidate gets it I will drive to Corp and state why he shouldn't, even though he is a great guy.  His Depts come to me for answers, and respect me (sales and design).  None of them think he is a good leader in those depts.  He's at the end of his career.  So maybe it is a 2-4 yr wait although I think with him it is more financial working as opposed to the drive

[zibazinski]

Mar 3, 2017 20:16:50 GMT -5 jelloshots4all said:

You all are awesome.  I'm betting 80-90% on a NO, but that slight chance is good.  And will not make me feel less of myself if I don't get it.  If the other internal candidate gets it I will drive to Corp and state why he shouldn't, even though he is a great guy.  His Depts come to me for answers, and respect me (sales and design).  None of them think he is a good leader in those depts.  He's at the end of his career.  So maybe it is a 2-4 yr wait although I think with him it is more financial working as opposed to the drive

I'm glad you went for it. 👍🏻

[jelloshots4all]

Thanks Zibs!  I was going to wait until 4 today, but I jumped ship on Wed. 

I truly want this but love my job

[Bonny]

Mar 3, 2017 20:16:50 GMT -5 jelloshots4all said:

You all are awesome.  I'm betting 80-90% on a NO, but that slight chance is good.  And will not make me feel less of myself if I don't get it.  If the other internal candidate gets it I will drive to Corp and state why he shouldn't, even though he is a great guy.  His Depts come to me for answers, and respect me (sales and design).  None of them think he is a good leader in those depts.  He's at the end of his career.  So maybe it is a 2-4 yr wait although I think with him it is more financial working as opposed to the drive

Do NOT do this. You will come across as a sore loser and will burn bridges. If you don't get the job consider jumping ship. Being a sore loser will affect your reputation which follows you to the next job.

[jelloshots4all]

I wouldn't actually do this.  I know they will ask our opinions on whomever is selected, as Big boss stated so.  I would never throw anyone truly under the bus, and I could work under him until he retires and then hopefully take over.  I guess it was more me thinking aloud that he doesn't deserve the job.  My guess is they already know this as well.

[Bonny]

Mar 4, 2017 13:57:39 GMT -5 jelloshots4all said:

I wouldn't actually do this.  I know they will ask our opinions on whomever is selected, as Big boss stated so.  I would never throw anyone truly under the bus, and I could work under him until he retires and then hopefully take over.  I guess it was more me thinking aloud that he doesn't deserve the job.  My guess is they already know this as well.

Maybe not. Maybe he'll get the job in return for past favors.

You just don't know. Don't be a sore loser.

[hoops902]

Mar 3, 2017 20:16:50 GMT -5 jelloshots4all said:

You all are awesome.  I'm betting 80-90% on a NO, but that slight chance is good.  And will not make me feel less of myself if I don't get it.  If the other internal candidate gets it I will drive to Corp and state why he shouldn't, even though he is a great guy.  His Depts come to me for answers, and respect me (sales and design).  None of them think he is a good leader in those depts.  He's at the end of his career.  So maybe it is a 2-4 yr wait although I think with him it is more financial working as opposed to the drive

So if you don't get this particular job right now, you're going to commit career suicide? Don't do this. It just looks like sour grapes from the loser. No decent executive is going to pick one candidate over the other, then change their mind when the losing candidate shows up badmouthing the person they just selected. This is a fun way to go out with a bang if you'd already planned on walking in, flipping everyone off, and spraying them all down with a firehose...otherwise it's just a poor decision.

[jelloshots4all]

I wouldn't be a sore loser and I would have made him look good, but I would have given my thoughts and promoted myself.  I worded the previous post incorrectly.  I would talk to Corp about all the value I can add.

Seems it likely isn't an issue.  The other internal candidate asked to meet me today as he was out sick last week.  He flat out told them he didn't want the job.  I told him I told Corp I wanted it.  He said good for you.  We truly are a team. 

I apologize for sounding like a poor loser.  That was never my intent.  My intent was to promote myself and I have already told them I will work with whomever they select, and would like Corps guidance on my career trajectory and any steps I need to take to succeed in our company.

[shanendoah]

jelloshots4all - I wouldn't worry about sounding like a poor loser. I would honestly tell you that if the other person had gotten the job, even with everyone knowing you are better qualified to do it, to freshen up your resume and start looking to jump ship.
I am not saying this doesn't happen to men, but it is much more common for people to expect women to "be the good sport", to wait another 2-4 years for the opportunity they are qualified for now, etc. And we let them. (People do this even more to women of color, from my understanding, but I can't comment personally on that.) There's nothing necessarily wrong with getting jobs based on who you know - I've certainly helped people get jobs. But there is something wrong when you know all the right people but still can't get the job because you are female, and the network is literally a good old BOYS network. 

So I think it's great that you told corporate you were interested. I will also advise you to freshen up your resume and be ready to jump ship should you not get the opportunity. That is NOT being a sore loser. That is knowing your own worth, and wanting to be paid for it.

And for the record, I would ask for a 45% raise - take you to the same base salary (plus cost of living increases) from what your boss was paid when he started the position. Your salary in this job should in no way be based on what you are making now. It should be based on what the worth of the job is to the company.

[jelloshots4all]

Thanks Shan!  I would ask for a salary commensurate to the job responsibilities.  Our Corp is pretty good about this.  My only downfall is that the salaries of the people I know have been in our industry for 30+ years, where I have been in this industry 4 yrs.  Doesn't mean I haven't learned alot about our industry in those 4 years, and I have over 20+ of experience.  Big Boss asked me to complete a contract and pricing for a meeting he has next week today.  I had it completed in 3 hours (granted this is our largest customer and I work on it all the time).

If I don't get the job, I don't think I will leave.  I truly love my job and the people I work with, am compensated well, great benefits, flexibility, plus a lot of perks (car allowance, gas card, access to every major league sports tix, etc).  And I hate job hunting.  If they bring in someone from the outside and we don't gel, then I would start looking.  I have numerous headhunter contacts that I could use as well. 

If I don't hear anything from Big Boss by Friday, I will contact him again.  We have a lot going on in our company/industry right now so I know he is busy.  I reported our February results today (not as good as I would have liked), but he was pleased.

And my industry is very much a Good Ole Boys Club!  I am the highest ranking female in the organization.

[hoops902]

Mar 7, 2017 17:47:13 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

jelloshots4all - I wouldn't worry about sounding like a poor loser. I would honestly tell you that if the other person had gotten the job, even with everyone knowing you are better qualified to do it, to freshen up your resume and start looking to jump ship.
I am not saying this doesn't happen to men, but it is much more common for people to expect women to "be the good sport", to wait another 2-4 years for the opportunity they are qualified for now, etc. And we let them. (People do this even more to women of color, from my understanding, but I can't comment personally on that.) There's nothing necessarily wrong with getting jobs based on who you know - I've certainly helped people get jobs. But there is something wrong when you know all the right people but still can't get the job because you are female, and the network is literally a good old BOYS network. 

So I think it's great that you told corporate you were interested. I will also advise you to freshen up your resume and be ready to jump ship should you not get the opportunity. That is NOT being a sore loser. That is knowing your own worth, and wanting to be paid for it.

And for the record, I would ask for a 45% raise - take you to the same base salary (plus cost of living increases) from what your boss was paid when he started the position. Your salary in this job should in no way be based on what you are making now. It should be based on what the worth of the job is to the company.

You don't have to "be a good sport", but I don't see anyone telling men that if they don't get chosen for a job that they applied for that they should march down to corporate and give them a piece of their mind. The difference is typically that women seem to not want to stand up for themselves as much during the hiring decision...which doesn't seem like a problem here. After the decision, I've never seen anyone suggest that men or women would be best served by creating a scene.  There's a big difference between not waiting around for another opportunity and deciding to go find something else...and storming down to corporate to badmouth the candidate they hired.  Totally agree it's not being a sore loser to look for other opportunities, everyone is entitled to do that at any time.

Also, pay isn't based on the worth of the job to the company, it's based on the worth of the individual to the company. All individuals who fill a specific position are not created equal. There's no reason to tie your pay to that of someone else either (for example, if that person was a horrible negotiator, there's no reason to accept their terribly negotiated pay). 

[jelloshots4all]

Quick update- no news yet.  I am taking that as a good sign.  If I wasn't being considered, I feel they would have already told me.  Big Boss is pretty direct.  My boss is back from vacation tomorrow so I will chat with him.

[Apple]

Mar 12, 2017 9:45:39 GMT -5 jelloshots4all said:

Quick update- no news yet.  I am taking that as a good sign.  If I wasn't being considered, I feel they would have already told me.  Big Boss is pretty direct.  My boss is back from vacation tomorrow so I will chat with him.

Good luck!

[Wisconsin Beth]

I hope you get this.

I went for my boss's job the last time it was open. I didn't get it but I'm not sure I'd have been good at it either. It was a long shot at the time.

[jelloshots4all]

Thanks for all of the encouragement!!

My boss has a meeting with a customer and Big Boss on Wed.  He told me he hasn't heard anything either.  He is going to ask when the 2 of them have lunch afterwards.  My boss did not discourage me in the least.  He was very open about what little info he knew.

My boss has told me in the past what high regards he has for me, as does Corp.  But I think my boss is checked out as well.  He wants our company to always succeed, but he is focused on his future endeavors, which I understand.

[jelloshots4all]

Update:  Big Boss visited our office last week.  I did not get the job.  He promoted the sales guy whom has 5 years before retirement (another over 60 white male in upper management ).  Big Boss stated he appreciates me applying and told me steps to take in the next 5 years to get this job.  I'm okay with the decisions as they didn't bring an outsider in.  Disappointed, but I congratulated my "new" boss, told my old boss and big boss that I was happy with their choice and would support him.