3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Focus on Getting a Promotion

Getting a promotion is one of the holy grails of modern careers. It’s the post-college report card. It gives employees a goal and reason to work harder. It confers prestige and respect. It comes with more responsibility — and more money.

But pursuing promotions has its negative effects as well. In fact, there are enough downsides that you should consider not pursuing them at all.

Here are three reasons why you shouldn't pursue a promotion — and how you can keep moving your career forward anyway.

1. Promotions aren't within your control

Companies offer promotions to employees in order to get them to work harder. They can’t advance everybody, but that doesn't matter. The promise of a raise and a more prestigious title will get everyone to work harder (in theory), even if they only have the funds to promote a few people. It’s not a sadistic productivity plot conceived by the senior staff—it’s just the way it is. Not everyone can be a VP. Read more...