I’ve been slowly pulling myself up in the rankings for more than fifteen years now. I was an experienced hire and the first year I worked for a guy who thought everyone else was an id–t. As a result our whole team was ranked low. It has been a long slog to make it up to the top third. Now I’m back in the situation of working for someone who is always criticizing his team while other supervisors promote their people. Seems like I may never make it to the fabled land of RSUs. I’ve sure been working my a$$ off to try get there though. I’ve always been technical until recent role as a first line supervisor. Should I push for a job in planning or what? How do people get a sponsor. Seems like that is what it takes. I rarely get to see the movers and shakers as a first line supervisor.
15 replies (most recent on top)
@6gfs+19cakXJD How did you find your champion?
Experienced hire here. If you have technical skills, stay technical. Nothing more useless in the outside world than XOM middle managers. Planning @ XOM = PowerPoint be-atch. Sharpen those technical skills, volunteer for difficult projects, teach others. Do NOT wait for your supervisor to tell you how you should develop. Be the master of your domain...
The RSU thing is somewhat disappointing: I've been getting them for four years now but if I'd known about them earlier I would have worked even harder earlier. When I joined XOM, I saw that most folks were just coasting, collecting a fat paycheck. No one was was pushing the organization to do better. I have been able to do that. I wish I could tell my story here. XOM is full of negative people, but there are just enough positive people that can be your champion.
All my friends who have been in planning hated it. Career prospect improvement after varies but across the board people say worst two to three years they’ve had. You get to see just how inefficient our management and processes are. Demoralizing.
To clarify, you need to understand why you are requesting or getting a job in planning. If it is a developmental role (fast track), go for it no question. Planning is mostly reserved for development roles, but there are often a couple of spots for people who are not high flyers but who have outstanding analytical skills or some other competency that benefits the group. These can be enjoyable if you like that kind of work, but it won't help you develop project management or other skills that might benefit you more depending on your chosen career path. We had a couple of long-term planners in the group that liked the work and wanted to stay there for several years, and that was fine for them.
Thank you. I was hoping a planning role would be a way to get noticed. Sounds like your experience is that is not the case. Any other ideas?
I have never seen an MBA help anyone with either knowledge or status unless you are in a role like finance or treasurers. Certainly not necessary to advance in the company.
If management wants to fast track you, they will move you into planning whether you want to go or not. Simply a requirement because they get a much closer look at you in action, plus you are exposed to a wide variety of issues. If you ask for a planning assignment but management has no aggressive develop plan for you, you might enjoy the work but will most likely be a grunt supporting the high flyers in the group. It is a real grind but can be very interesting if you have the skill set required.
@1nyd+19cakXJD I’m with you.
Any advice if I were to try for a planning role how I should prepare? Would an MBA help to perform in the role?
I am a experience hire as well. I fell my hire process was all with lies and lack of information when I look back.
If I knew half of what I know now I would have stay in my old job.
Planning is good for exposure but can tank your ranking in this new system. All planners are now ranked against each other, so even people who have spent years in the top third can get pushed to the bottom because their entire rank group is top performers. Bye bye RSUs and now having to claw my way back up again.
Having worked at many companies before EM, the fact that "Experienced Hire" is even a thing is quite telling...
@vmg+19cakXJD Keep your day job because that try at comedy was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Here is the Exxon "ranking system." The closer to the top you are, the greater your chances of "ladder climbing" success:
- Nursed on tiger's milk with a Master's Degree and executive education from an "exxon school."
- Hired from intern to FTE (I.e., nursed on tiger's milk)
- Hired after military service as an officer
- Hired early career from a competitor
- Experienced Hire
- HAT Contractor Conversion
- HAT contractors
- Subcontractors
- Service Companies
- Gum stuck on the bottom of your shoe.
Yes, planning job would be a good one to have. It's tough to find or know of a sponsor.
The company chosen ones are selected early.. it's hard to crack in late in the game.. not saying to disappoint you but that's just how odds are stacked up.
I am an experienced hire too. This company still looks at many of us as rejected material