I work as a software dev. Never had an issue with being unemployed. I've always worked for someone else and I've always been a W-2, salaried. I've been with my current employed for 10 years. I've not gotten promoted yet.
When I ask what it is I need to do and over how long, so that I can be promoted, they say “that's not how things work regarding promotions”. Other people who DID get promotions, do not look to me like they've done more or less than me by any objective standard.
Yet, they expect maximum commitment of everyone.
Why is it reasonable to expect maximum commitment of an employee, yet when the employee asks what does it take to be promoted, they cannot specify the answer in any way shape or form in a way that is achievable?
Is it unrealistic for me to be asking of my supervisor for a plan of action to be promoted? Should I just wait until they feel like it?
Overall, why should I work overtime or even extra hard, if there's no promise of advancement when asked for?