The Road to Promotion

This last week was incredibly chaotic in the office. We had resident interviews, medical student exams, I had time sheet prep work and reconciliation (usually takes me a few hours due to interruptions), physicians were turning in reimbursements left and right because they found out that their accounts were going to reset at the beginning of the year, and then all the regular scheduling needed to be done...among other things. But on Wednesday at the very, very end of the day, our chief administrator asked me to come into his office. I assumed this had to do with my job situation - the position I applied for a week and half ago. I was waiting for an interview, but within a few minutes I found out that I would never get one. They skipped it and the administrator handed me my offer letter. This was ok with me. The best part, though, was the salary. It was more than I expected! It was more than I allowed myself even to hope for! A significant chunk will undoubtedly be taken out for taxes and benefits, but STILL! The possibility that I can buy a car in a year is now on the table. Once I see what I'm making, I may even be able to afford living somewhere else. I love my little house, but I'm still on someone else's property. I'd like to not live with my landlord for once.

I have to draw attention to some key factors that led to this promotion, though. My coworker who started at the same time as me received a promotion a few months ago in the same way I did - they dissolved her position and created a new one when someone else left. However, before that, she wanted a review of her work and to have a conversation about a raise with our superiors. However, it was like pulling teeth. She had such a hard time getting anyone to talk to her. She started looking for other positions because she needed to earn more - she just had a baby and she and her husband bought a house. However, when the new position came up for her, she had to go through an interview. It seems she had to push her way through to get attention. I, on the other hand, almost had the opposite experience: I applied and people in my department said, "Process the paperwork now so we can get going!"

A few months back, I received a tiny raise (about $30 extra per paycheck) when I took on several duties from other people. I was disappointed. Should I have negotiated? Some will say so, but I don't think it would have made a difference. This time around when Norma left, though, doctors wanted input on what was going to happen next with the staff. The situation was in my favor. I didn't cry to my supervisor or the chief administrator about wanting a raise. I did talk one of the doctors about my goals, however, and I found out our accountant was pulling for a higher salary for me. In the end, my supervisor, the accountant, and one of the doctors were all speaking repeatedly on my behalf to give me the salary I received...and to give it quickly.

Why did this happen? Why did my coworker and I have such different experiences? Maybe it was a difference in personality - she's quiet, but she comes out and tells people what she wants. I'm quiet, but I have trouble being open like that. Another possibility - the real reason in my opinion - is the fact that I work directly with many people in the office. I'm the one they see and of whom they ask questions. My coworker has her own office in another area and is physically isolated. Direct interaction matters in building relationships, and people help get you places. I think this is where my coworker's campaign fell short, and the timing wasn't there at the beginning. I felt fortunate that I happened to be in the place I was. This wasn't by mistake - I chose to be among the faculty because I liked being interactive. But I didn't realize then that it would help me advance in the future. In the end, both of us received what we wanted, but knowing people can make the path easier.