How to Switch Jobs Within the Same Company?

Often people switch companies for better job opportunities and career prospects. What is not talked about enough is changing jobs in the same company you are working at. There are a lot of advantages to switching jobs within your company.

As you are familiar with the culture of the company and its inner functioning, the transition is a very smooth one. If you have a good rapport with your boss, he can advocate on your behalf as well. The company will already be aware of your performance and efficiency, so if you have been a model employee there, you can easily get a different job if you have the required qualifications for it.

But an internal transfer comes with some disadvantages as well. Telling your boss you want to shift to another department within the same company can be tricky. If you don’t get along with your boss, the situation can get dicey as he might try to go behind your back and sabotage your move.

If you want to switch jobs within your company, we provide answers to the most common questions on how to go about it.

How to Conduct an Internal Job Search?

First of all, you need to treat it like any other job search. Don’t think that you are guaranteed the position just because you are an internal candidate or that you will get preferential treatment in the hiring process. You will need to present yourself as an ideal candidate with a resume that shows why you are the perfect fit for the role.

Hiring managers might have higher expectations from you as an internal candidate since you would already have exposure to the company’s clients, goals and strategies. When you are called for an interview, be prepared to talk about both the broader goals of the company and the more specific goals of the department you are applying to.

This might be obvious, but before you decide to apply, make sure you are interested in the job. You are familiar with the company culture; do you want to continue working in the same company? Or are better opportunities available somewhere else? Think about the reasons you are leaving your current position. Is it for better career growth, or are you simply bored? The reasons for which you leave your job are also very important.

When should you Inform your Manager?

To be on the safe side, you should always keep your manager in the loop. Ideally, you should be able to comfortably talk to your manager about your professional and career goals. If you have a good relationship with your manager, he will already be aware of your decision, and you will have his full support. If he is not already aware, let him know as soon as you apply, and he might be able to recommend you for the position.

It would be a terrible idea to keep your manager in the dark. If you apply for the position without telling him and he finds out through the grapevine, he might feel offended at being blindsided like that. The support of your current manager will be invaluable for an internal transfer.

If you don’t have a good relationship with your manager, you might want to wait until you are further along in the hiring process before you let him know. If he is not happy with your decision, he might try to sabotage your internal transfer. If you are lucky, he might not find out that you applied for a different job within the company until you get the offer letter.

How to Inform your Manager about your Internal Move?

This is a delicate conversation no matter how good your relationship with your boss is. Some managers tend to take it personally when someone tries to leave their team. Once they find out that you are thinking of leaving, they might worry that you won’t give your full attention to your current projects.

When you let your manager know about your internal transfer, focus on it being the right move for you professionally. Let them know that you have learned a lot while working for them. Seek their advice and support. It is also vital to convince them that you are fully committed to your current role.

Should you Contact the Hiring Manager before Applying?

Since you are already working at the company, you should reach out and form a connection with the hiring manager. Let them know that you are interested in the position that has just opened up. If you work at a large company and don’t know the hiring manager personally, send an email first with your most relevant details.

Conclusion

When you are planning to transfer internally to a company, it is essential to communicate with your manager at the right time and professionally go through the application process. The pointers given above will guide you through the process.

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