Don't be afraid to be ambitious at work. I've been promoted twice this year.

[xiv]

That's right: With almost almost no effort on my part, I was promoted for the second time this year, and it's only May. It came with a raise of over $20k and makes my resume look even better.

What did I do? I happened to find an open role at my company that was the next step in my career, but I thought I had no shot at getting it since I had been promoted just over three months ago. I applied for an internal transfer anyway, got approval from my manager, had a quick interview, and came out as a freshly-minted engineering manager.

I thought I had like a 5% chance of getting this, but I was completely wrong! Don't be afraid to try to make aggressive career moves (but don't go overboard). I now have even more cash to save every month, an even better resume, more job security, etc.

[curious_george]

Oh wow - congrats! Very inspiring.

[badger1988]

Congrats, and best of luck to you in your new role as an engineering manager! It's very true that there are often great opportunities available to those who are willing to make "aggressive" career moves, especiacially if you've built a solid reputation as a high-performer.

I'm in the midst of making the opposite transition. Currently an engineering manager, I've requested and been approved to transition into a part time (3x8hr) position as an individual contributor. Highly unusual in my organization, and only became an option because I was willing to ask. Less money, weaker resume, fewer opportunities for advancement, less job security...but exactly the balance I'm looking for right now.

[Sanitary Stache]

I’m an engineering manager.

But only until my jump to conclusions mat hits the stores.

[Gerard]

It would be funny if xiv has been promoted into the engineering manager role that badger1988 is moving away from.

[ATtiny85]

Congrats, and best of luck to you in your new role as an engineering manager! It's very true that there are often great opportunities available to those who are willing to make "aggressive" career moves, especially if you've built a solid reputation as a high-performer.

Oops, I was tracking OK, but then you lost me...

Congrats OP, my spouse has had that happen and it really supercharged our savings,

[twinstudy]

The more successful and financially stable I get, the more ruthless I become in setting my hourly/daily rates, pruning clients (difficult clients get turfed; cheap clients get turfed; unpleasant clients get turfed) and being selective in which cases I agree to take on. I won't get out of bed unless the rate is a certain figure. The closer I get to FIRE the more imperious I can be in this regard.

What surprises me is that so many people in positions of power (doctors, lawyers, etc) *don't* do the above. In my view they are short-changing themselves. Hugely.

[Chris Pascale]

Great to hear! I hit my 1-year mark as a GS-14 in March and started applying to GS-15 jobs. I think I might land something this Summer, but we'll see.

Once I got really aggressive about promotions, it was easy to rise up. A couple years ago a boss told me in a state of frustration that I'm "getting a reputation, and people aren't going to like it." At my last job offer, my boss said, Look, I know you're not here to stay, but I'd like you to join the team.

He knows I'm applying for promotions, and takes personal pride in the idea that people do well after working with him. Rather than be upset someone is leaving him, he's taking credit for the part he rightly played in their success.

[Ron Scott]

All music to my ears…

The world of work is a dynamic part of the game of life, rich with challenges and opportunities.   When you push yourself to success by advancing into positions with greater importance and responsibility you usually make more money—which is great. But you also have different experiences, a greater impact on the lives of others, and learn more about yourself along the journey.. 

You decided to go for it, not to phone it in. Congrats!

[jinga nation]

Great to hear! I hit my 1-year mark as a GS-14 in March and started applying to GS-15 jobs. I think I might land something this Summer, but we'll see.

Once I got really aggressive about promotions, it was easy to rise up. A couple years ago a boss told me in a state of frustration that I'm "getting a reputation, and people aren't going to like it." At my last job offer, my boss said, Look, I know you're not here to stay, but I'd like you to join the team.

He knows I'm applying for promotions, and takes personal pride in the idea that people do well after working with him. Rather than be upset someone is leaving him, he's taking credit for the part he rightly played in their success.

Having worked at DoD COCOMs and in the IC for 2 decades as a FedCon, I've noticed the most successful GG/GS folks are those who are technically astute, have excellent time management and meeting skills, skilled at writing their Performance Accountability and Feedback statements (PAF), and achieve targets. I've seen a lot of govies get stuck at GG/GS-12, but once their cross that barrier, they get promoted faster. Plus a lot of older 14/15s retired during the pandemic hence faster promotions for those in their 40s.

[tj]

Great to hear! I hit my 1-year mark as a GS-14 in March and started applying to GS-15 jobs. I think I might land something this Summer, but we'll see.

Once I got really aggressive about promotions, it was easy to rise up. A couple years ago a boss told me in a state of frustration that I'm "getting a reputation, and people aren't going to like it." At my last job offer, my boss said, Look, I know you're not here to stay, but I'd like you to join the team.

He knows I'm applying for promotions, and takes personal pride in the idea that people do well after working with him. Rather than be upset someone is leaving him, he's taking credit for the part he rightly played in their success.

Have you moved geographically to chase grades?

I just passed my 12 month at 11 and applying for 12's, but it ain't easy.

[lcmac32]

Great to hear! I hit my 1-year mark as a GS-14 in March and started applying to GS-15 jobs. I think I might land something this Summer, but we'll see.

Once I got really aggressive about promotions, it was easy to rise up. A couple years ago a boss told me in a state of frustration that I'm "getting a reputation, and people aren't going to like it." At my last job offer, my boss said, Look, I know you're not here to stay, but I'd like you to join the team.

He knows I'm applying for promotions, and takes personal pride in the idea that people do well after working with him. Rather than be upset someone is leaving him, he's taking credit for the part he rightly played in their success.

Have you moved geographically to chase grades?

I just passed my 12 month at 11 and applying for 12's, but it ain't easy.

Go for the Holy Grail of GS jobs.  GS15 with no supervisory duties.  I don't work for the Feds, but know someone that does and pulled it off.

[tj]

Great to hear! I hit my 1-year mark as a GS-14 in March and started applying to GS-15 jobs. I think I might land something this Summer, but we'll see.

Once I got really aggressive about promotions, it was easy to rise up. A couple years ago a boss told me in a state of frustration that I'm "getting a reputation, and people aren't going to like it." At my last job offer, my boss said, Look, I know you're not here to stay, but I'd like you to join the team.

He knows I'm applying for promotions, and takes personal pride in the idea that people do well after working with him. Rather than be upset someone is leaving him, he's taking credit for the part he rightly played in their success.

Have you moved geographically to chase grades?

I just passed my 12 month at 11 and applying for 12's, but it ain't easy.

Go for the Holy Grail of GS jobs.  GS15 with no supervisory duties.  I don't work for the Feds, but know someone that does and pulled it off.

I don't think I'm going to work long enough to achieve that. :)

[Chris Pascale]

Great to hear! I hit my 1-year mark as a GS-14 in March and started applying to GS-15 jobs. I think I might land something this Summer, but we'll see.

Once I got really aggressive about promotions, it was easy to rise up. A couple years ago a boss told me in a state of frustration that I'm "getting a reputation, and people aren't going to like it." At my last job offer, my boss said, Look, I know you're not here to stay, but I'd like you to join the team.

He knows I'm applying for promotions, and takes personal pride in the idea that people do well after working with him. Rather than be upset someone is leaving him, he's taking credit for the part he rightly played in their success.

Have you moved geographically to chase grades?

I just passed my 12 month at 11 and applying for 12's, but it ain't easy.

Sorry I missed this.

No, I have stayed on Long Island the entire time, and once rejected an offer to go to NY City. And it's all been in the Treasury. I've been open to other agencies, but this is what's come through. Where I have been mobile is that I don't care what the next job is.

I went from Tax Examiner to Paralegal to Settlement Officer to Collection to Taxpayer Experience to Exec Asst to Lead Financial Analyst.

Whatever 15 comes is the 15 I want, and the job I'm thinking I'll just stick with.