u/archnemmmy

Hi fellow HR.

For some background, I got my Master of Science in HRM in 2023. Immediately landed a job as an HR Generalist. About two months ago I was promoted to HR Manager. Now, there is rumor in the grapevine that our execs are looking at me as the next Director of HR (ours just recently resigned).

So I’m thinking “wow! Wonderful!” But my heart is saying no. I’m a mother of two little boys and their father works long hours, so I’m their main caretaker and bare almost all of the load. I also feel so new in the field that I don’t feel “ready” for that responsibility. It would be really hard to turn down with the salary that I’d be receiving, but I just don’t think I’m at a good point in my life to take on responsibilities that an HR Director has.

If/when the promotion is proposed to me, how do I even turn it down? I don’t want to sound ungrateful or incompetent. I just really don’t want it at this moment.