Community Chat

[Writertoo]

I have been working in a retail store for 2 1/2 years now. I am a dependable, smart and creative worker who knows the product well. I remain a CSA (Customer Service Associate) even though many opportunities have presented themselves for me to progress to a higher level, which is Keyholder. I have always made my wishes known that I want to be promoted. Both my former and my current store manager have told me that I am not "ready" to be promoted. A few times, other people (who have not been at the store as long) zoom ahead of me to the next level. In the latest incident, the Keyholder left and I told my manager (once again) that I want to be promoted. She told me she wasn't going to decide on whether to promote or to hire for the position for a month and in the meantime she would "groom" me for the position. Needless to say, no "grooming" took place and I just found out that she recently hired a new Keyholder.

What should I do? I have an inkling to tell my manager that she can forget promoting me and that I will leave my job as soon as I find a new one. I am so angry at her for leading me on for a month and then hiring someone new. BTW, I am no youngster--I am 51 and all my peers are in their early 20's. My co-workders, who are mostly in college, come and go at the drop of a hat. I am the CSA who has been there the longest. You'd think they'd want to reward me for that! It's getting embarrassing for me to be a CSA when I believe I have earned the position of Keyholder. I am baffled as to why I am not getting promoted. One of the shift supervisors said (of being a Keyholder), "It's not like it's rocket science." How true!

Other than the promotion issue, my job is bearable and I do it well. It's not my dream job by any means, and I continue to look for other opportunities. In the meantime, however, I want to feel fulfilled, learn more about retail, and earn a little more money. Of course, with the job market being as it is, I am probably stuck being a CSA at this job for a while. Any advice?