Have you ever felt exhilarated at the prospect of being advanced to a big internal job — only to be crushed when you’re not the chosen one? When I led succession planning for Microsoft, and in coaching executives since, I’ve noticed a predictable emotional aftermath of also-ran contenders, and helped clients implement recovery tactics when the dream job is just out of reach.
You Didn’t Get That Internal Job You Really Wanted. Now What?
Answer these questions to determine your next steps.
December 10, 2019
Summary.
Have you ever felt exhilarated at the prospect of being advanced to a big internal job — only to be crushed when you’re not the chosen one? No matter how tantalizing the prospect of being considered for a juicy role, it doesn’t always work out. It’s helpful to know that it’s normal to have a tough time initially on the rebound. Give yourself the space to recover and then evaluate your next steps through a set of questions very different than those asked of you during the interview process.
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New!
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.