To tell boss or not to tell boss?

[Shoopy]

I''m considering applying for another position. I reached out to the Director of that group and scheduled a lunch meeting with her for next week. The reason I want to reach out to her first is to get an idea of what they are looking for and also learn a little more about their area before I make the decision to apply.

Because I haven''t really decided whether I''m going to apply or not, I''m not sure if I should let my boss know what I''m planning. He doesn''t have to know where I am 24/7 (or I guess 9/5 lol) but I don''t want him finding out through other channels that I have/had a lunch meeting with her and begin to speculate.

However, if I do mention something and then decide it''s not the right fit for me he''ll always have it in the back of his mind that I''m looking for other positions and that may affect our relationship.

WDYT?

 

[April20]

I''ve always let my managers/bosses know if I was exploring other options. But I did so knowing they supported my growth and development. That and the fact that we were required to get approval from our manager before applying for any other position within the organization.

Do you have the kind of relationship with your boss that he supports your growth and development? If so, I think I''d tell him. I''d be concerned about what he would think if he found out thru other channels. If he doesn''t support you at all, I''d do it on the sly until it got to the point that he would definitely hear it and I''d be straightforward with him about what you''re doing and why.

 

[Shoopy]

Date: 2/24/2010 6:57:19 PM
Author: April20
I''ve always let my managers/bosses know if I was exploring other options. But I did so knowing they supported my growth and development. That and the fact that we were required to get approval from our manager before applying for any other position within the organization.

Do you have the kind of relationship with your boss that he supports your growth and development? If so, I think I''d tell him. I''d be concerned about what he would think if he found out thru other channels. If he doesn''t support you at all, I''d do it on the sly until it got to the point that he would definitely hear it and I''d be straightforward with him about what you''re doing and why.

Yes and no.

In the past, I was approached by another Director to apply for a position with her Department. She had discussed it with my Director who in turn discussed it with my Manager. He never approached me about it. When I found out, I immediately went to him and he said that he would support whatever decision I made, didn''t really want me to leave, gave me his feedback on whether he thought the position was a good fit for me, and then some interview tips. So he was very supportive.

This was before maternity leave. I ended up not applying for it because it wasn''t in line with the career path I''m on (I''m looking more into finance and it was an accounting position).

When I returned from maternity leave, his attitude towards me changed big time. I don''t know if maybe I''m starting to slack in areas and not noticing? Maybe my performance isn''t as it used to be? Maybe he''s holding a grudge because of all the work he had to do in my absence? I don''t know. I''ve reached out to him several times for feedback sessions both formally (set up meetings) and informally (conversation in the car when we were doing a field audit) and have given him opportunities to let me know if he isn''t happy with my performance but so far he says everything is going well.

So the point is that while he was always supportive, his new attitude towards me leaves me wondering if he wouldn''t be.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

As long as you don''t need dept head approval to apply to another division I would ask the director you are meeting with to keep it confidential, meet somewhere that people in your group can''t see you, and tell you boss later once you know what you want and if you have an offer.

Good luck!!!!! Hope that it will be a more flexible position and give you more time with Sophia!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I always wait until the second interview stage.

 

[meresal]

Just for the lunch, no, I would not tell him.

If I decided to apply after the lunch, then I would tell him before the interview. (Especially if you are in the same building.)

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 2/24/2010 7:26:12 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
As long as you don''t need dept head approval to apply to another division I would ask the director you are meeting with to keep it confidential, meet somewhere that people in your group can''t see you, and tell you boss later once you know what you want and if you have an offer.

Good luck!!!!! Hope that it will be a more flexible position and give you more time with Sophia!

Ditto. I never, ever tell my bosses when I''m looking for something new. I don''t want it to change the way they view me, my work, etc., and I really think it will no matter what they say.

It''s a little trickier for you since the new position is in your current company, but I would still keep it quiet for as long as possible.

 

[perry]

I have a general policy that has worked well:

I always let my supervisors know that just as a general part of what I do - that I am always looking for opportunities to improve myself and/or better serve the company. As such, I will have general discussions.

The vast majority of people understand that - and the meeting you are describing clearly falls into that.

Most bosses have been very supportive - and have gone out of their way to ensure that I can get the training and do the things I''m interested in doing.

I do realize that it is probably too late to set this up with your current boss for this specific situation. But you should be able to do it for future situations.


Have a great day,

Perry

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I''ve had a boss sabotage three transfer ops in the past so I ALWAYS wait until I know there''s serious interest on both sides before I bring the boss in on the matter. Treat it like you would an external job application process-need to know basis only.

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 2/24/2010 8:32:03 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I''ve had a boss sabotage three transfer ops in the past so I ALWAYS wait until I know there''s serious interest on both sides before I bring the boss in on the matter. Treat it like you would an external job application process-need to know basis only.

I AGREE!Especially about the Bazinka part!