Telling your boss you are applying for an internal position

My company has a policy stating I do need to inform manager - so my first internal (lateral) move, I did notify manager - she appeared supportive, even said she would talk to hiring manager on my behalf, and get back to me. Then poof, never heard from HR regarding my application, never heard from hiring manager and worse my manager never communicated with me. I was terrified for a month I had set myself to be fired. So then I applied for position #2, I marked the HR application that I did tell my manager I was applying (I did not, as I figured our previous conversation in job #1 application did include me stating, even if nothing transpired, I would continue to keep my eyes open for future opportunities within the company - it is a very large company). So I interviewed, 2 sets with 4 people. Then I had feedback from other managers that they would love to see me in this new position. Then I had follow-up with one of the higher management team and they asked me directly am I still interested in the position. I said yes. Then silence due to travels/meetings, etc. About 3 weeks later I get an email from my boss, "Ok- so you might have mentioned this the other day...." and attached to it was an email from hiring management that they were going to extend me an offer (This was the first I heard). But I tired to send an email explaining, but current boss was throwing a tantrum and sending very stern emails to me. Whatever I was saying just continued to upset her. So finally I sent her an email stating basically, I was planning to sit with you if an offer was received....you shared a confidential email with me, as I was not aware of the pending offer. At least she stopped with the emails. After my first experience, why would I tell her about my continued applications internally? She definitely was not supportive, and seeing the emails she sent me on learning I had interviewed, I know I did the right thing - she was not going to be supportive in my search or my goal for growth within.

With that being said, I did work in a separate company once - I had a great manager, who encouraged me to look to grow after a few years with the team. I am so appreciative of his nudges, I would have never gone outside my walls of security without his encouragement. To this day, I still use him as a reference in any job searches I do. (YEARS later).

My 2 cents: know your boss, and trust your instincts.

And yes, I have told some office workers about the email exchange, their advice was to AFTER signing on the dotted line if presented, forward the email chain to HR...if I do not get, still send to HR - my boss broke confidentiality. I don't know if I will actually do that (not my style, as I believe in karma) but I am still shocked by it all.

Good luck to any and all who are in job searches.

When it comes to requesting an internal transfer, you don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

Have you been working under the same boss for the past few years and feel like you need a change? Do you believe that there is a better job scope for you in a different department? Is there a different internal position that will allow you to evolve and grow? If you answered yes to any of the above, then it's time to request for an internal job transfer.

Requesting for a transfer does not necessarily imply that you're unhappy with your current job. Instead, a lateral move allows you to seek out career growth opportunities, promotions, and diversify your portfolio. If you desperately want change but don't know where to begin, fret not! Here are five effective tips to follow when asking for an internal transfer.

Do your homework

The first step you should take before talking to your current boss is to read through the company's transfer policy. A lot of companies require employees to be in a position for a minimum number of years before requesting a lateral transfer, so the last thing you'd want to do is to request a job transfer before you meet this requirement, as that could easily backfire. You'll end up with no chance of moving to a different team while stuck with a boss who knows you want to leave at some point. Additionally, be sure to clarify the internal application process with your human resources representative or hiring manager prior to having this delicate conversation with your boss. There is a big difference between going to your employer with a well-thought-out plan and an impractical demand.

Upgrade your resume

Once you have researched and identified the positions available for internal transfer in your company, it's time to upgrade your resume and cover letter. Read through the job description in the advertised role thoroughly,  identifying the critical skills that the new department is seeking from candidates. Then, list down your skills and experience that match the new position. If you haven't updated your resume in a long time, it would be a great idea to submit it for an expert resume review to check and make sure your resume highlights your achievements and is keyword optimized — increasing your chances of landing your dream job.

Once you have upgraded your resume, make sure to also identify the gaps between your skill set and the requirements for the new job. If possible, come up with a strategic plan to acquire those skills in the next few months to try to close the gaps as much as possible prior to applying for the job. If this isn't feasible, remember to highlight your plan to acquire the necessary competencies during your job interview. By doing this, you are showing your potential employer not only that you care about your professional growth, but also that you're proactive.

Brush up on your networking skills

When you want to request an internal transfer, your networking skills should be sharp. You'll never be able to fully understand the open position from the job description alone, and it helps tremendously to talk to someone senior in the new department to better understand the work culture and work expectations. Make it a point to mingle with colleagues from different departments rather than just staying within your own clique. This way, you can find out more about job openings and market your skills to potential managers informally before even going in for the interview! Networking is also a great way to keep updated with the recent news in the company, even those updates that are not directly related to your current job scope.

Make it clear that it's not personal

The fact that you are making an internal transfer request doesn't mean that you're unhappy with your current boss, so make that clear. Explain to your boss why you're looking for this shift in your career. It'll help to explain how you will add value to the new team with your technical expertise and why that is in the company's best interest. Make sure that you also articulate your gratitude for the experience you have gained from your current team.

Even if you're requesting an internal transfer because you're unhappy with the current manager, don't apply to several openings within the same week. That just shows that you're desperate to jump ship. Instead, space out your requests and continue keeping your head down until you're granted the transfer.

Offer to train a replacement before leaving

When you ask for an internal transfer, you are essentially leaving your boss in the stressful position of finding a replacement for you in a short period of time. Now under duress, he or she might, in turn, take it out on you. In order to maintain a good relationship with your boss, even after you request for a lateral transfer, be sure to offer to make his or her life easier by creating a transition plan and training a replacement prior to leaving. Even if this means working extra hours to keep up with your current assignments and the task of training a replacement, it's worth it as your boss would really appreciate your courtesy. There's nothing wrong with requesting a job transfer, just make sure to be mindful of your others' feelings in the process.

Overall, requesting an internal transfer requires a level of tact, courtesy, and knowledge of the process. Before you're ready to jump ship and dive into a new department, make sure you follow these tips and prepare yourself.

Click on the following link for more career advice on how to get ahead.

You might be ready for a transfer, but how ready is your resume? Check now with a professional resume review — on us!

Recommended Reading:

• Making the Most out of Your Lateral Career Move

• What to Do When Your Boss Doesn't Like You

• How Older Workers Can Compete (and Win) in Today's Job Market

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