Ella Kallish is a nationally syndicated columnist with 17 years experience marketing candidates directly to decision-makers inside business organizations throughout the United States. Her "Ask Ella" column now offers you personal, strategic and tactical advice on all your workplace questions. E-mail: Send Your Question To Ella

Dear Ella,

After almost three years of doing my current job I have almost doubled my workload by proving that I am a good employee and that I am qualified to take on more responsibility.

Unfortunately, every opportunity that a promotion becomes available, my manager seems to try to sabotage my attempts by dragging her feet and not promoting me to the team that makes the final decision.

Because of the difficulty of replacing me and training a new person, I am being held back. The job I want to do takes some of my current duties with me, but leaves the entry-level work to a new employee. What can I do?

Dear Deserving,

A job well done can be a double-edged sword at some companies. The more valuable you make yourself in a given department, the less likely some managers are to give you up to a promotion into other business groups.

Talk to your boss again. This time, set a timeline for promotion consideration and then e-mail a recap of that discussion to your boss with a copy sent to human resources to establish a paper trail that substantiates the positions of all involved.

Start interviewing at competing companies, too, in the event that your current employer drags its feet on promises made. If your boss reneges on her commitments to you, a competitive offer in writing from another company could strengthen your hand and force her to give you the promotion you deserve.

When you first accepted this job, I'm sure you were promised the ability to grow and maneuver upward as earned and deserved. If you have to force a company to take you seriously, re-think your commitment to a company that doesn't keep its commitments to you.

Dear Ella,

I recently accepted a new job and have been here for about four months.

I haven't been looking for another job, but in the last couple of months I have gotten several offers. One offer came from one of my clients. It includes a salary that is three times what I am making now with full benefits. I am seriously thinking about taking this job.

How do I tell my employer that I am leaving to go to work for one of the company's clients?

Dear Company May I,

You're under no obligation to tell your current employer where you're going, unless you've signed a non-compete agreement that prohibits you from going to a competitor, client or an approved vendor for a specified period of time.

Even then, many non-competes cannot be legally enforced, as they keep you from making a living in your area of specialty. If you've signed a non-compete, check with an employment attorney to understand your options. If you haven't signed a non-compete, don't give accepting a job offer from a client company a second thought.

If you're not contractually limited, when your boss asks you where you're going, tell him you'll e-mail all your contact information once you're settled and working.

Don't let the door hit them on your way out.

Private Career Coaching Workshop With Ella Kallish

• How To Write A Resume
• How To Market A Resume
• How To Follow Up On A Resume Sent
• Beginning, Middle And End: An Interviewing Strategy
• Expert Corner: Michael Gage/Career Center University Miami
• Ethics In Corporate America
• Program Provides Opportunity For Continuing Ed
Changing Communication Models
A Thought: Documenting Your Work Life

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Written By Ella Kallish
For more information on Ella Kallish go to AskElla.com.
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