Are You Prepared For a Sudden Promotion?

Gov. Eliot Spitzer skipped his routine morning jog today. 

Instead, the beleaguered New York politician, whose career is likely over after a federal investigation revealed his involvement with a prostitution ring, remained with family and advisers in his Fifth Avenue apartment. It is unclear when he will publically respond to requests that he resign.

If Spitzer does step down, Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who is legally blind, would serve out the remainder of his term as the first black governor of New York. A great promotion, but not one gained under the best of circumstances. If a surprise shake-up took place at your work place would you be ready to rise up the ranks? According to career experts, a post-scandal instant promotion means doing some careful networking quickly. 

"So, you get this promotion, which is great. But talk to the peers of that level. Develop a relationship with who you’re going to have to interact with," says Hallie Crawford, a certified career coach based in Atlanta. "For example, find out who were the people who worked directly with Spitzer, and learn what it took to be successful in that position. Is it being personable? Is it having a good management style?" And when speaking with others, be sure to acknowledge the circumstances of your promotion, says Denise Ann Taylor, Executive Director at Competitive Advantage, Inc.,  in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “It all centers on acknowledgment. You should establish early on that there has been a change," says Taylor. “Moving into a new job that someone has been fired from can be uncomfortable, but it is important that people still maintain a level of balance with their work and productivity.”