"secretly" applying to job within company

[jeepman3071]

Sounds like there is a reason people keep leaving. The company I work for has a very similar mentality, and they wonder why they have so much turnover. Low pay and burning out the good people quickly. And company profits are not the problem whatsoever, they have plenty of high paying clients.

 

[y_p_w]

I worked at a contract job at a major company once. I won't say who, but most people would have heard of it.

I reported to a manager, but also had a primary contact I was working with. She went on vacation, but never told anyone that she had accepted another job within the company. So basically the day she's supposed to return, the manager finds out that she's gone and not returning. She didn't say anything to anyone she worked with that she was moving within the company.

It kind of told me that this company made it almost too easy to transfer. There really was nobody else to do the work, and the company didn't insist that she return to finish the work before moving to another group.

 

[opus1]

It sounds like you'd be better off keeping it a secret but don't be surprised if word gets back to your boss. My current employer doesn't require one to notify current management when posting for another position and I was in a department that was "business" and I posted for a position in our I/T area to get back to my roots and try to enjoy my work like I used to. One day, out of the blue and before I was able to get an interview in the other area, I got called into my director's office to be told that they realized that they were not using my technical skills as well as they should be so I was being sent for SAS training. Here's the thing; of all the things that I was unhappy about and admitted to, not having any technical tasks/training was a dislike for me, but I *never* mentioned that to anyone. So it was either a very eerie coincidence or word got back that I was trying to post into I/T.

As for HR "non-retailation" policies, window-dressing at best. I've seen allegedly open doors to a manager slam shut on some unfortunate's head, and there are always ways to get around policies and get their retaliation.

Close to the vest and be prepared for anything to happen. Good luck.

 

[veryHeavy]

Originally Posted By: joaks
Any thoughts on this?


HR will tell your boss.

 

[Mr Nice]

So what if boss finds out..... the employee wants a better job within the company.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Ask the hiring manager for an informal discussion about the job. If you get good vibes then tell you boss and officially apply.

You boss will find out.


+1

Exactly.... I would talk to the hiring manager first, get to know him, explain your situation and whether he'd consider hiring you. Then tell your boss, apply and move on.

 

[MolaKule]

What makes you think your current boss won't find out? Managers talk, paperwork is exchanged, etc., etc.

But yes, talk to the hiring manager first and tell him your situation and how you think you can contribute to his department. If he thinks it's a good fit and doesn't violate any company policies, he will fight to get you.

 

[kschachn]

All the recent companies I've worked for require you to obtain your current manager's signature as part of the internal application process. So for me there is no way to do it "secretly".

 

[jaj]

I'd have a chat with the HR folks doing the hiring. If your boss has a history, they'll know that and they'll tell you how to handle it.

Here's the situation (I've seen it first hand):

1. the first person they'll call to find out if you're a good worker is your current boss
2. your prospective new boss might not think highly of you when they find out you're keeping secrets from your current boss

Either way, keeping quiet stacks the deck against you. Talk to someone who knows the situation you're in and get some advice.

 

[joaks]

Just as a final update on this ordeal: I spoke with a friend who spoke with the hiring manager and suggested I not apply for this job. As expected, my application would not be kept confidential. AND I am overqualified by education level and under-experienced for this particular position.

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone!

 

[Mr Nice]

What's your educational background ?

Maybe you need to apply to other companies if you can't 'grow' at your current employer.

 

[raytseng]

if you can't speak with your manager about your career path that you think you can just blindly move to another job something is really wrong.

Even if your manager doesn't want you to leave today, they should be able to say here's the plan for you to get to somewhere else in 6months or 1year or whatever. Having a plan is going to be better than abruptly just thinking you'd move and everything would be OK.
If somehow you feel that it;s an easier path to do this in secret and you'd be able to kiss your old position goodbye this was going to work, then there's some misconceptions and dysfunction there.

 

[joaks]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
What's your educational background ?

Maybe you need to apply to other companies if you can't 'grow' at your current employer.


I have a PhD in molecular biology. I was applying for a "safety coordinator" position (I am currently the laboratory safety officer). You may know this already- but the field is beyond saturated with PhDs. I actually posted a question on here about a year ago to get ideas for other fields to go into. The competition + politics make it hard to move up in most research institution.

 

[jaj]

Originally Posted By: joaks
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
What's your educational background ?

Maybe you need to apply to other companies if you can't 'grow' at your current employer.


I have a PhD in molecular biology. I was applying for a "safety coordinator" position (I am currently the laboratory safety officer). You may know this already- but the field is beyond saturated with PhDs. I actually posted a question on here about a year ago to get ideas for other fields to go into. The competition + politics make it hard to move up in most research institution.


Now that you've said that, I know more than a little bit about your situation. You need to look outside the company and outside San Diego. There are places where people with your qualifications are scarce and highly valued. Go find one.

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted By: joaks
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
What's your educational background ?

Maybe you need to apply to other companies if you can't 'grow' at your current employer.


I have a PhD in molecular biology. I was applying for a "safety coordinator" position (I am currently the laboratory safety officer). You may know this already- but the field is beyond saturated with PhDs. I actually posted a question on here about a year ago to get ideas for other fields to go into. The competition + politics make it hard to move up in most research institution.


I hope I'm not being nosey, but what's the pay for the job you were applying for ?

Yes, lots of competition for any job.

 

[beanoil]

Talk to the hiring manager for the position you are interested in.
Also, it seems your current manager cannot understand that as a boss, the job is twofold. To be a liason between the direct reports and upper management, AND mentor, guide, develop, and yes, sometimes let someone valuable go to another department for the overall good of the employee and company, then refer to post by jaj above, and move on.

 

[joaks]

Originally Posted By: jaj
Originally Posted By: joaks
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
What's your educational background ?

Maybe you need to apply to other companies if you can't 'grow' at your current employer.


I have a PhD in molecular biology. I was applying for a "safety coordinator" position (I am currently the laboratory safety officer). You may know this already- but the field is beyond saturated with PhDs. I actually posted a question on here about a year ago to get ideas for other fields to go into. The competition + politics make it hard to move up in most research institution.


Now that you've said that, I know more than a little bit about your situation. You need to look outside the company and outside San Diego. There are places where people with your qualifications are scarce and highly valued. Go find one.


I've been to other places. It is actually worse a lot of other cities, at least in the US. The competition is tough here but the jobs exist at least. I looked everywhere when I graduated 3 years ago and went to South Carolina.

Having said that, I typically look outside of the company and apply regularly to new jobs. This was the only internal application I thought about, aside from when my previous boss left and I needed to change groups.

 

[joaks]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Originally Posted By: joaks
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
What's your educational background ?

Maybe you need to apply to other companies if you can't 'grow' at your current employer.


I have a PhD in molecular biology. I was applying for a "safety coordinator" position (I am currently the laboratory safety officer). You may know this already- but the field is beyond saturated with PhDs. I actually posted a question on here about a year ago to get ideas for other fields to go into. The competition + politics make it hard to move up in most research institution.


I hope I'm not being nosey, but what's the pay for the job you were applying for ?

Yes, lots of competition for any job.


I don't mind discussing this, but I don' know for this specific job. Using salary.com the best prediction put this position at roughly 80-100k, but went as low as 60-something. Even the low end would be a raise for me.

 

[Mr Nice]

I'm surprised they would pay you that ($60K) for a PhD in Southern California.

Do you have EHS experience at a large company ?

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: joaks
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
What's your educational background ?

Maybe you need to apply to other companies if you can't 'grow' at your current employer.


I have a PhD in molecular biology. I was applying for a "safety coordinator" position (I am currently the laboratory safety officer). You may know this already- but the field is beyond saturated with PhDs. I actually posted a question on here about a year ago to get ideas for other fields to go into. The competition + politics make it hard to move up in most research institution.

I have a couple of relatives in that field. One has degrees in both microbiology and molecular and cell biology, although I don't recall in which order. Had a hard time finding a job and did a postdoc first. Then bumped around from company to company. A lot of the work was in startups where the work was cutting edge but job security was always an issue. Even went to work for NASA, although that job lasted as long as the funding for the project. Seems like a tough industry to be in.