Transfers...

Mistybreeze

Hi All,

I've been in my current job for a year and a half now. I don't exactly dislike my job, but I feel like I've hit a brick wall, and I'm starting to feel quite frustrated.

I'd like to try move to a different department at work, this may be a silly question, but is there a general minimum amount of time you should spend in one department before it's acceptable to think about transferring to another?

And what would be the best way of going about this? Wait for a suitable position to come up on the internal job board, or voice my feelings, and hope that I may be informed of any roles?

My other issue is that I know how I feel, but what if the higher up's don't think I'm ready to move (I would point out here though, I'm not looking for a promotion or a pay rise, I would just like something more challenging), there's probably going to be some redundancies in the near future, am I more likely to be chosen to be made redundant by asking about the possibility of a transfer?

Savvy_Sue

18 months is certainly long enough to be thinking about what the other possibilities are, but as for the rest of your questions, the answer is probably "it depends ..."

In some companies, you'd have to apply formally for any positions advertised, and managers wouldn't be allowed to tell you about them. And some managers would be upset if they thought you wanted to leave them, so best not to tell them too soon!

With the possible redundancy situation, it could go either way, but I believe you should be given the chance to apply for other positions if there is anything suitable. And some organisations would want to do that, rather than pay you redundancy (not that you'd get much).

If it's a large organisation with a central HR dept, I'd talk to them, informally, about how people move around and progress.

getmore4less

Allthough not always possible I think the best way to approach internal moves is to try and get poached or at least wanted by the other department.

In many cases current boss may try to stop moves so you need the potential new boss to want you.

The other thing to do is understand the company transfer policies/process inside out.

Now how you get to wanted depends on the organization, if you work with the other group gettting seen to be good helps, if opportunites arise be extra helpfull supportive of the target team take them, join task outside the office with customers are a great way to get noticed.

You have to look for what will work at your place.


potential reorg/redundancies complicate but might open up options.