ABSTRACT
This article explores the individual experiences and perceptions ofcareer progression in a large public organisation. The research comprised 32 in-depth interviews with employees across one organisation. We use a narrative inquiry approach to analyse individuals’ stories and present the findings of the research in the form of a fictional story, ‘The Quest Games’. We argue that the power of the fictional story approach in this article on career advancement is twofold. First, the lived reality of nuances in promotion processes and career paths which are underscored by organisational hierarchies, power structures and networks are illustrated. Second, we engage the reader at an individual level by inviting her or him to reflect on and resonate with their own stories of career progression.
