Q: "I'm an EA at a women's mag. I've been here for two years, with increasing responsibility and positive feedback, but still no promotion. How long should I stick it out before it will look pathetic to future employers?"
A: Have you ASKED for the promotion? Your boss may not even know you want one (she's too busy, she's blind, whatever). Or she could be waiting for you to bring it up. But let's assume you have asked and she said no. Ed consulted his friends at the top of the mastheads of several women's magazines and they all said the same thing: Two years is about the time to move on. But it's certainly not pathetic to stay a bit longer; the extra experience can only benefit you: You are more qualified for the next step than someone who only has only been on the job a year.
Now, your plan of attack:
1) Ask your current boss for a title increase to Assistant Editor if she can't create a new job for you. It's a free and an easy way to reward you for your
two years of hard work. Plus, it will buy you more time to find a new job at another magazine. Prospective employers will assume you were fully promoted (unless, of course you tell them the truth).
2) Start looking for a new job outside of your magazine NOW. Start applying
for Assistant Editor positions (and even for Associate Editor if you got that title increase!). Go to your human resources department and ask to speak to someone about moving within the company. Don't worry, they won't tell your boss. (If you're paranoid, just tell the HR rep that you want your conversation to be confidential.) Most magazine companies have a policy that says it's okay to move within the company after one year. Apply for every job you hear about (for Ed2010's WhisperJobs) and tell everyone you know that you're looking to move to the next level and to keep her ears open for you (spread the word at Ed2010's happy hours too. The more people who know you're looking, the better your chances of hearing about potential jobs. This might include other senior-level editors at your current magazine who you trust or even your own boss if you have a good relationship with her. She may surprise you by offering you advice or referring her to a friend of hers who needs an Assistant Editor at another magazine. When Ed was an EA his boss helped him find his next gig. His boss was sad that he was leaving, but knew that he was too good to be an EA forever. The same is true for you.
Good luck!
Love, Ed
