Should you tell your manager if you are applying for another job?

Hi everyone. I'm pretty content with my job right now at a bank working as a quant in a risk department. However, I am casually looking/applying for opportunities that I'm only very interested in interviewing for. Two questions:

1) If a position opens up within my own company and I am interested in applying for it, should I let my manager know? Wondering about the following scenarios: A) he can vouch for me instead of me just keeping him out of the loop B) he would treat me different and perhaps think I am not focused/serious about my current role.

2) If I am interviewing for roles at different companies, at what point should I keep my manager in the loop regarding my applications? Should you tell them only if you are actively applying or get an an offer?

What do you think? Thanks for the advice!

 
Most Helpful

on 1) - depends on the situation in your company. a good manager / company encourages people to grow and aim higher within the firm. if you have a tool as a boss who is driven by ego rather than brains... I wouldn't tell him but he will find out anyway.

on 2) if you are in the process of getting laid off, if the company is looking for voluntary leavers (incl. package even?), or if the team is being restructured.. or if there is any other trouble like that... you could be upfront about it. Otherwise, don't say a word IMO. it also depends on the relationship you have with your boss and your team.

 

For 1) I agree it depends. I'd do as much informal interviews/networking before applying though. In many companies managers are notified when a subordinate formally applies for a job (I suggest you check your HR policies on that).

For 2) no matter how good your relationship is, unless you want your manager to use his network to find you a role (which is unlikely), I would never mention it until you get an offer. The upside is 0, even from a relationship perspective, but there is plenty of downside, even if you get along well with your manager, as it reduced your perceived commitment to the job and the team.    

 

forgot to mention on 2)

only disclose if you have the other job, obviously. don't walk around the office telling your team that you are interviewing elsewhere.

There are situations where this kind of disclosure really does make sense though. you can get a decent package if HR is looking for volunteers and if you are not happy in your job. If you have an offer there is also the possibility to get a counter-offer.

 

Oh, that is a very individual question and that answer will depend on your relations with your manager. My previous workplace was amazon Littlehampton and there I had the same situation. In my case, I told my boss about my plans and he helped me to receive this perspective vacancy. And, to be honest, I was surprised by this fact, because I was thinking that he will try to keep me in his department.

 

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