Someone made me laugh with their post about how it is possible to progress here, but what's necessary is the right attitude, the will to take advantage of what the company offers and expressing the ambition to move up. I'm just interested in knowing how much did others manage to advance in their careers here?
Despite my efforts, attitude, ambitions and hard work, I am not satisfied with how much I managed to move up in four years that I've been here.
22 replies (most recent on top)
Been up and the air is not any better up there trust me!....Came down as fast as I could back to an individual performer position.....I had to get out for sanity sake and was losing all morals...Can keep the extra 15K
Been here 28 years, promoted twice - both in four years by a company that was bought out by SBC. SBC came in and we were literally told that no more promotions. Why? Because SBC does not promote based on whether or not you're doing a great job in current position, they believe in promotions occurring only if you applied to a open job req for a title higher than the one you have. Right. Like anyone hires you for a salary band higher than what your currently are titled for.
For the last 20 some years that's been the case - that along with chipping away at bonuses and now completely gutting individual bonuses has done everything in its power to demotivate workers. "promote mediocrity" should be the company slogan.
For the most part, there are only virtually no promotions over L2.
Been here 28 years, promoted twice - both in four years by a company that was bought out by SBC. SBC came in and we were literally told that no more promotions. Why? Because SBC does not promote based on whether or not you're doing a great job in current position, they believe in promotions occurring only if you applied to a open job req for a title higher than the one you have. Right. Like anyone hires you for a salary band higher than what your currently are titled for.
For the last 20 some years that's been the case - that along with chipping away at bonuses and now completely gutting individual bonuses has done everything in its power to demotivate workers. "promote mediocrity" should be the company slogan
I left 4 years ago and moved up more spots than when I did with my previous 15 years at att.
I guess I wasn't a chosen one or related to the right person for att.
there really is nothing special about att in fact it is worse than a of places out there as far as rewards wish I left long before I did.
I'm the guy you where chuckling about. I never said it was easy. I literally applied over 200 times to get the promotions. If you don't try you certainly will never get there. To the person that stated they are a level 2 and have no interest in having direct reports I get it, but that will limit them from ever moving up. My attitude is that I have been willing to try any position. I also already know that a level 2 is probably as far as I'll ever get and I am ok with that. Considering where I started I am proud of that - I am now making 6 figures and for someone that started as a prem tech that is pretty damn good.
21 years and beside a lateral move to a specific job assignment, no advancement.
Hired in as level 2 and no movement. I really have no interest in becoming a people manager and deal with all the HR and organizational BS. I believe most of my peers will tell you the same thing.
A team manager asked the HR person about if the old technical competency model is being used to qualify promotions. HR had no clue, the real answer is no one is being promoted.
Progression while advertised as available, is realistically for the top 5% performers, the same small group that gets there IPI or whatever recognition payout is being called these days. Plus the near zero merit increase year over year, all adds up to an apathetic outlook.
First off, the level of entitlement you have is mind numbing? 4 years and you think you've done something? Lol. Try no less than 10 years, being a top rated employee. You don't just get to press a button in career path and move into a cushy new job. Someone has to like you and pull you, plain and simple. I spent 12 years as a first level before moving to L2. Some of those as as contractor.
I did progress by increasing my skill set over the years. I was able to move among the different organizations by posting for different jobs. It made things interesting so I didn't get bored with my work. Moving up among the levels is more difficult. Promotions and progressions are almost non-existent, so the only way to move up was to post for a position at the next higher level. I don't know if it is as easy to move around now, though.
Solid progression over 18 years. Started making 35k now 150k. No complaints.
Hey
This is one of the most glaringly hostile, entitled, etc, boards I’ve read. So much victim blaming for your lack of success in life. I guess you’re all hard hat, field workers who resent anyone not like yourselves…educated, successful, female. Tsk tsk. Sad.
4 years?
Hahahahahaha.
That aside, you'll never make a career here. Those days are over.
I admire your drive, but laugh at your naivety.
It is now and had always been about connections. You need to have the basic qualifications as well as some connections into the group or leader that’s hiring you. You can have the required education and experience, but if you lack the connection(s) you’ll likely be shut out. Connections can be prior (positive) work history with the leader hiring you, common or shared prior military experience, etc. All of this said…even if you have the skill, education, and maybe connections…what has changed is that you now may very well get passed over for someone with the bare minimum qualifications but the right color skin or gender or even better non traditional gender and race. They are frantically trying to diversify the leadership ranks as they’ve been called out on the good old boy network, which was glaring on those culture surveys a few years ago. A club of white guys yelling about all of the white guys in leadership positions. Great look.
I did chuckle reading one of the posts, where the guy had been here 11 years and started as tech and was recently promoted into a L2 position. He was quite pleased with himself and lecturing everyone on positivity and attitude. Went and got his MBA. I was chucking because that guy was me 15 years ago. I hope he loves his L2 position, because there’s a 95% chance that’s where he’s staying. Promotions above that for Caucasian Joe Six pack are over, for the most part. And thats not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just what it is.
Try LinkedIn. This is definitely the WRONG spot to ask any questions regarding anything you expect a credible response.
Frankly, I doubt you’re serious.
We are experiencing promotions of minorities currently not promoting based on merit.
It’s not political. If you are a female or diverse candidate and have average skills, you’ll move up quickly.
Promotions are more politically based than merit based. I’ve known folks with mba’s from good schools not even get into mgmt. I know another who achieved a Phd in Computer Science and barely make into a 1st line job. These aren’t people with no work experience. I’m referring to high achieving employees with good credentials.
On the other side I knew recent hire with a bachelor degree get a chief of staff job and a VPs kid get an internship only to work from home all summer doing nothing and still get to put it on their resume.
The ones who move up are always the ones who kiss the most asss. It has nothing to do with how hard you work, how much you know, or if you have the potential to do a great job in a position of greater responsibility. In fact, most that get promoted tend to be the sorriest workers from where they came from.
The only qualification actually needed is impeccable brown-nosing skills.
Exactly what does movin' up in the company have to do with LAYOFFS? If you haven't moved up it may have to do with the fact that you can't read or follow directions. This site is for LAYOFFS details, not your career advancement desires. Stay on topic!
Be careful what you wish for. Last time I was up for promotion to the next level, they gave the job to way younger less experienced. At first I was pi---d but I got progressed (not promoted) elsewhere and now make same money with a LOT less responsibility. Less hours, less work, less stress. Do you really want to move up (like to AVP) or do you just want to make more money?
people keep asking this and I don't think anybody knows. I have seen people move up and have done nothing spectacular.
I think if you have an army buddy or brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, and significant other it helps tremendously.
att is nothing special there are tons of better managed companies. been to two other companies since I left and I have moved up but could get nowhere at att but I saw people could do whatever they wanted and move up.
so when you find the answer post it here. I hope people who are thinking of hiring on at att run the other way just run and don't look back you will not regret it.