Advice on applying for a different job within the same company

In My Humble Opinion
1

I have been at my current employer for nearly six years, at my current position for about four and a half. I am happy with my job, my benefits, my co-workers.

Recently, a friend of mine (L) told me she was moving to a new position in a different department. We work together on certain projects, so I wished her well and wondered how the hell they were going to replace her.

My boss stopped me today and asked to talk to me. She said that she had been asked if they knew anyone who would be good for L’s job. My boss thought I might be interested. She assured me that she is not looking to get rid of me, but she knows how our particular job function can come with a certain level of burnout. She wanted to let me know that she would not hold me back, if I was interested. I told her I was happy with my job, but I would talk to L out of curiousity, but not to worry.

Well, I talked to L, and my curiousity is piqued. I could certainly do the job, although there would be new things to learn. Also, there is really no room for advancement in my department, unless my boss leaves, and I don’t foresee that happening any time soon. This new job would give me new experiences and knowledge in the industry.

I talked to Ivylad, and he told me to go for it. So, I am going to go to my boss and tell her that I am not dissatisfied in any way with my current job, but I think I’m going to throw my hat in the ring for L’s job. I need to assure her that if I don’t get the job, I will be quite happy remaining where I am. In fact, the thought would not have crossed my mind if my boss didn’t think I would be a good candidate.

So, for those of you who have applied for different jobs within the same company, any advice? Any do’s or don’ts? Any regrets? If you didn’t get the job and remained where you were, were there any tensions or hard feelings?

2

This is a big thing in the company that I work for - we work in a team-based environment and it’s encouraged that we try out different positions to gain a good, overall knowledge of the company.

I have personally posted for four separate positions in the past year and a half (all turned down, goddamn it) and there is literally zero animosity there. People are generally willing to accept that they have to let other people try to better their lives/careers. If a move will do that, then more power to you. If you got turned down, better luck next time. Every time I have posted, I’ve had long talks with my boss beforehand and not only has she been supportive, she helped me work on my application to make sure that it looked good. She knows that it’s highly unlikely that we’ll have the budget to promote me in my current position, so if I want to grow in my career, I’ll have to look outside the team.

I don’t have any particular advice in the matter, but I do think you should go for it if the position appeals to you. Rarely have I seen anybody get mad at anyone else for trying to better their career in these matters.

Good luck! Hope you fare better than I have.

3

The company I work for also encourages career development and would rather keep their good employees happy by giving them the freedom to apply for other positions within the corporation, rather than risk losing them due to job dissatisfaction.

I have worked in 3 different positions within this company and firmly believe that as long as you are honest and upfront with your supervisor/manager, which it sounds like you have been, and maintain your professional attitude throughout the whole process, you aren’t taking any risks. In fact, even if you aren’t successful at obtaining the new position, you have a great opportunity to update your resume, re-evaluate your skills and how you present them, and to network within your company. A great interview will boost your confidence and will be a good base for the next time you apply for a job, whether it’s internal or external.

Good luck!!!

4

My company says it encourages promotion from within, but my particular VP has sabotaged many people who’ve tried to leave her area, including me. Further, it is part of company policy that we inform our immediate supervisor that we’re applying for another position. I did tell my boss, who then lied to the VP and told her he had no idea I was applying outside the department. Even though he encouraged me to apply.

I wish you better luck than I had.

StG

5

Well, I slept on it, and I think I’m going to further explore the opportunity.

Now, if I can only find the disk that has my resume on it…

6

I talked to my boss, and she got this deer-in-the-headlights look, but wanted to let me know she supported me in exploring this new opportunity. I assured her that I was just looking to spread my wings, and that if it didn’t work out she still had me 110%. She said she’d keep her fingers crossed, but she admitted she didn’t know which way she was leaning! :stuck_out_tongue:

Then I talked to the director in charge of the other position. He seemed quite happy that I was interested, told me I was on the list, and I will be submitting an updated resume tomorrow.

Why do I feel like I just jumped off a cliff?