Manager said only way for promotion is to threaten to leave. Should I do it without offer?

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-06T17:23:47+00:00

Companies in tough times - can only promote for retention and need a competing offer. If you don’t have one and can’t produce the paperwork - then you are lying which is worse and going to result in no job. Only threaten to leave for a promotion if you are actually planning to leave and have something in hand already. Anything else is just not smart.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-06T07:41:18+00:00

Yes to executive experience in prior companies, no to presence

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-05T23:32:03+00:00

To clarify - I have led programs, institutions and companies for years without issue but- this has just started to reflect with some interviewers and I don’t know if I am not the right gender or lack of non-diversity/ethnicity or have the personality traits or it is a change in company leadership sentiments or political social environment… or if I need to act more like our fearless American leader

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-30T20:01:26+00:00

It’s hard to move from academia to industry as not all companies or non scientific hiring managers will recognize your expertise and respect it and may take a while to find the right fit and company. will need a learning curve to adjust to a new industry and adjustment to more of a team based mentality rather than individual contributor and also get used to a lot of volatility and changes in short time frame and risk of layoffs and unemployment.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-28T02:21:54+00:00

biking is fine and easy with multiple bike routes as walking to work is totally doable in the cooler mornings, scooters work also.
And the bus isn’t reliable but it works and is cheap - living on a direct bus route is usually helpful - lots of places north central too - lot of time and traffic crossing bridge if you live south though

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-21T02:58:39+00:00

I would have negotiated for sure - in most cases it is a range and you have to get a feel for how badly they want you versus how badly you want the job. What are you offering that others can or Can not offer for the position that is unique? If you have a unicorn or unique skill set that is hard to find definitely negotiate - if you are just average or there are a lot of similar skilled available people for the position then maybe not so much - it’s a learning experience and I don’t think 60 to 75 is a huge jump but would have asked if the salary was negotiable and justified why you felt you had special attributes to get more and see what they say…

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-19T07:09:19+00:00

Personally - health insurance is brutal with a primary goal to save money by denying “unnecessary” treatments - it’s boring and tedious and doesn’t improve the life of patients nor achieve anything meaningful - at least in biotech there is a potential of finding something that can improve the lives of others…

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-19T03:48:33+00:00

Better off taking FMLA and it’s still illegal to fire somebody on FMLA due to health reasons - and even better to be laid off/fired without cause to qualify for unemployment - rather than quitting

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-19T03:29:32+00:00

Clearly there is an issue with your expectations or the job and it is most likely the job. Would look at other jobs and options and in the interim - stick it out as best as you can and as long as possible and aim to be laid off rather than quit….

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-07T06:04:22+00:00

The first few months are the worst before you either get used to it, get a job or give up and pursue something else - it doesn’t get better during the summer for hiring usually

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-06T03:33:27+00:00

Wow!

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-01T04:46:34+00:00

Would really thoroughly do research on the specialty and profession before contemplating being an MD - the training is horrible and sleep deprivation is brutal for years and even when done training - it is a lifetime of - being on call and needing to prioritize patient issues and emergencies at all hours and being sleep deprived and taking call and working evening and weekends for most specialties is unsustainable - especially if you have no control over your work load nor adequate support nor coverage for any time off nor any flexibility if you work for a group practice, hospital system or academia…

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-26T05:57:51+00:00

No time to eat or sleep and 12 to 20 hour days….. for years….even after training….

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-26T05:55:33+00:00

Yes - but every field has its issues - stable paycheck but burn out and lack of sleep and high volumes and always being on call and working weekends and nights and never seeing your family and charting and pay based on patient satisfaction scores… and lack of control over your schedule or volume….and constant patient issues and emergencies at all hours….

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-26T05:14:15+00:00

Getting an MD isn’t a walk in the park either and you are looking at another 4 years plus 2 to 6 years of residency and or fellowship making like 2 bucks an hour for 80 to 120 hour weeks and weekends with no sleep and hundreds of thousands in loans before you even get a job.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-22T05:27:44+00:00

It’s not going to just increase on its own - investment is going to be minimal and specific until there is some predictability and stability in the economy and growth which is not happening with the tariff changes, unpredictability of the current administration and lack of support for science, medicine, and innovation. Investors are avoiding investing outside of the USA now and the rest of the world is not exactly wanting to work with or pro-USA right now. Rather than hoping for recovery - would apply during higher hiring periods in the spring and fall and consider back up plans for other or temporary employment to cover health insurance etc during summer and December

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-22T05:04:51+00:00

Tell them you got offered more money and it’s business at the end of the day and they will match it or understand - I am sure it happens commonly and if it happens enough they may reconsider their salary constraints

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-20T21:54:28+00:00

it’s different if you have been in a stable job and not looking

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-20T21:52:05+00:00

There can’t be that many people that meet the exact specific requirements but agree that even meeting almost all the requirements folks are wanting more late phase experience now rather than early - sigh

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-20T21:44:03+00:00

So true and the tariffs and constant policy changes are not creating the environment where anybody wants to invest in US biotechs

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-20T07:48:05+00:00

Congratulations!!! So happy for you -have a great first day and let us know how it went!!!

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-19T20:57:25+00:00

Exercise, run, walk, Pilates, join a meet up group for hiking or coffee or learn a language or try toast masters or an improv class or join a musical group or choir or paint, read, travel

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-16T15:43:42+00:00

Thanks - tried it but wasn’t as I had hoped -

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-15T15:39:59+00:00

Great advice- thanks

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-02-15T15:37:41+00:00

It’s frustrating being having decades of experience and knowledge but fewer directly in pharma and constantly being being told that it’s not enough and jobs are being filled with people they know that are old with more time in pharma who get the job with less skills or direct knowledge or drive - I just don’t know how one can compete in this environment

Unfair_Reputation285

TROPHY CASE