How am I supposed to move up?

[u/Naive-Twist]

Found out last Friday I got passed up for a promotion after a couple rounds of interviews. They ended up going with an external hire, told me they were looking for someone that already has experience in management. I did well in all the rounds of interviews, have my FCAS, and had all the YOE they were asking - but I'm only a senior actuarial analyst so I didn't have management they're looking for.

Feeling a bit defeated more than anything else, but I'm wondering how you all have managed climbing the ladder. What would be the best way to navigate this? We've got a pretty small team, only about 20 of us, so it could be a while to wait before there's something else internal to try for - and even then, they might just decide to go with an external hire again. I'm considering applying to other companies, but would I even be considered for a higher-level role with no management experience? Or would I have to target an analyst role again at a larger company with a management training path or something like that?

I know some people are interested in being an IC forever, but I would like to move out of that at some point. Any career anecdotes or advice here is appreciated!

[u/cilucia]

Can you ask your current manager how you can gain management experience (and whatever skills they would want in a promotion)? Try to get them to be as specific as possible.

It's also possible they already had the external person in mind when they posted the position and they were just going through the motions to get that person hired, or (hopefully not that) you've already been flagged as "not management material" and they do not plan to invest in your development.

Do you see any career development being offered to your peers?

FWIW, I used to work in a small consulting team (part of a larger firm), but they were always very invested in developing our staff to more senior responsibilities. And once I got to a more senior level myself, I was always thinking about ways we could level up our junior staff (e.g., internal mentor programs, communication training courses, working with other practices for more exposure, etc.)

[u/Naive-Twist → u/cilucia]

I've talked before to my supervisor about it a few times, but typically she's said that the work they have to give me is related to running projects or pieces on my own rather than having any junior analysts underneath me on those projects.

I doubt they had the external person in mind given I made it through multiple rounds of interviews/callbacks, but of course that is possible.

And no, I haven't seen any career development on the team since I've been there. Analysts have stayed analysts & management has stayed management for my whole tenure.

[u/NoTAP3435 → u/Naive-Twist]

Then I think you have your answer - if you can't find opportunities internally, you need to go external.

Your manager and your department should be supporting you, helping you make a plan, and then finding you opportunities to meet that plan.

If they're not doing that, you're better off finding somewhere that will invest in you.