Interesting how many slots where open for each promotion round /board (in Uk terminology) I have been in a similar situation at British telecom where the compe

Interesting how many slots where open for each promotion round /board (in Uk terminology) I have been in a similar situation at British telecom where the competition was even more intense. In systems engineering (where most but not all the engineers and developers sat) you would have 16-20 promotion slots from MPG2 to 4 every 15/16 months. Several hundred people would get through the paper sift to even get an interview - as my boss said get an interview the company was 100% sure that you where capable of performing at that level I had three successive boards and didn't get it. MPG2 was the entry level grade BT had a super flat structure. Some people where so desperate they would join payphones to get a promotion. More savvy ones joined the mobile side as they where known for having serious grade inflation