I learned that a job I want in my current company will open soon and I'd like to apply for it. Should I wait for an ad to be put in the paper or should I act now before others have a chance to apply? – read answer

I'm a manager of a small group at a fast-growing media company. Recently, I was passed over for a promotion. Instead, another manager, who had reported to me two years ago and whom I trained, got the job for which I should have been next in line. Last year, in hopes of bettering my standing in the office pecking order, I volunteered for a difficult assignment, managing a group from a recent acquisition that hadn't assimilated well into our organization. This strategy appears to have backfired as I'm still struggling to make this group succeed. While I don't report to this other manager, I feel like my chances for advancement here have stalled. Should I stick it out or take my career somewhere else? – read answer

I'm an American marketing professional and have been working for 13 months at an Asia-based arm of a U.S. media company. I've worked in Asia for most of my life, but this new city — with its traffic, crime, etc. — hasn't grown on me.

After six months, I had a frank conversation with my supervisor about being paid more for what I consider an extraordinarily difficult and dangerous tour of duty. Quickly I was offered a promotion and raise. Though the raise was less than my stated bottom line, I was promised a similar boost and promotion in six months, so I redoubled my efforts. My supervisor has confirmed repeatedly that I've become invaluable and I had an extremely positive review a few months ago.

Unfortunately, our company was hit by the global downturn and the time for my next review came and went without mention of a raise. I'm upset because while revenues are down, the company is still very profitable. I finally confronted my boss, who said a new policy required that salary reviews be performed only once a year, so I'd have to wait. I reminded him of his promise, but he said that because times were hard, I shouldn't expect anything soon. His hands were tied.

I'm depressed. It's difficult getting up every day, trudging through the traffic and the pollution (not to mention kidnappings and random beheadings) to report to a job that now holds no real promise. I've been giving 150% (and working late nights and weekends) and am sure that everyone here now expects the same. I was doing it because I could just taste that promotion. What do I do now? – read answer

I'm a chief financial officer at a large company. I aspire to lead a company myself one day. How do I position myself for a line job with profit-and-loss responsibility? – read answer

I'm in line for a promotion to manager, and I really don't want it. However, my company's culture is all about getting ahead and moving up. Everyone is very competitive and eager to rise in the ranks. Sure, I'd make more money, but I'll have more headaches and frankly, I don't think I'm management material. I like the job I do now. Could I buck tradition and turn down the promotion? – read answer

I'm an electronic engineer with eight years of experience under my belt. I left a secure job to work for a start-up company, and although I'm learning a lot, I'd prefer to break into technical or project management. The company is restructuring so I don't think I'll be able to do this kind of work. I'd look for a new job, but there aren't many opportunities available. Should I begin searching anyway or should I bide my time and wait and see what happens? – read answer

I am a mechanical engineer working in the automotive industry. When I graduated from college I took a job with an automotive-parts supplier ("Supplier A") designing engine components. After working there for a year, my wife and I decided to move to Detroit in a move to advance her career and get her enrolled in an masters program she was interested in. To make the move to Detroit, I took a job as an application engineer for a large competitor ("Supplier B") to my existing company. In this job I have been an on-site engineering rep at our customer ("Engine Manufacturer C"). Now Engine Manufacturer C loves the work I do so much they want to hire me in a senior engineering position. This is very tempting, but my wife and I want to move back to our home on the East Coast in a year or two. At that point in time I'll need to get a job (preferably in automotive), but would it look better on my resume to have taken a promotion from my current customer and worked there two years or to have stuck with my existing employer (in a job with less pay and less responsibility)?

Having worked for 3 different (but similar) companies in my first 5 years out of college may look a little sketchy to potential companies back East. Any advice? – read answer

I haven't received a promised promotion. My boss announced that all issues, including my promotion, are "in an envelope" and will be discussed in six weeks at the annual company meeting. I asked him how I should view this and he said to wait and see. Is this common or fair? – read answer

My company wants me to relocate overseas for a promotion. While I welcome the advancement, I don't want to move my family to a new country. How can I turn down this opportunity without hindering my chances for career progress at this employer? – read answer

I work for an information-technology company in a job I really like. I'd like to know what I can do to improve my chances for promotion. What do employers want from their employees? What qualities are they looking for when they make decisions regarding promotions? – read answer