To tell manager I’m applying for roles?

[gossipgurl]

Would you tell your manager that you’re applying for jobs?

YABU=yes
YANBU=no

I don’t need to ask for time off to attend interviews as I manage my own schedule

The main reason I would tell my manager is out of courtesy. We have a decent relationship, he’d take me wanting to leave as a surprise and departure would cause disruption. Manager may have an indication already as I shared my screen once and an email from a job search site was in my inbox😬

I don’t need application support from him, but as I put myself forward for token development opportunities like job shadowing or joining recruitment panels, he’ll likely realise why. I’ve only told trusted colleagues like mentors I’m applying, but there’s always a chance word might get around so might be better if I tell him

You don’t tell your boss “out of courtesy” that you are actively seeking employment elsewhere.

Internal - yes
External - no

Not unless it’s internal positions. There’s just no need.

That would be my initial feeling but in my organisation (civil service) it’s normal to open about applying and “give courtsey”

Yes it would be internal

I was about to say this.

Depends on your relationship with your manager.
I would tell my current manager as he'd be supportive.

I've always supported those I've line managed with their career progression so I've always appreciated them telling me if they are applying for other roles.

I've just left a job and for the first time I'd been totally up front about wanting to leave to pursue a particular profession not covered by that company. When I (very quickly) got a new job all hell broke loose, I think they didn't believe me 🤷🏽‍♀️ and my notice period was very unpleasant.

But usually I don't say anything. I think once you say you're looking to leave it changes things whether you like it or not, and not usually for the better. So I'd not say anything until handing in notice time.

You don't owe your boss and courtesy, he wouldn't tell you he was looking for another job for sure.

@ElaineMBenes same - I am supportive of my reports looking for work, but you do think of business continuity don’t you?

@youveturnedupwelldone oh dear, what happened when you left?! And congratulations!

Then why are you asking?

Yes, I have always made my manager aware if it's internal.

Yes in civil servive you sgould tell your direct LM

I'm also in the Civil Service and my manager knows I am looking and applying for things internally and she probably suspects I am going for other department roles too. If she asked directly I would be honest and say yes but I haven't told her I am looking for external promotions.

I wanted a sounding board before I do or don’t take action & MN is a good source of support for that.

Thank you to everyone else who has contributed!!

internal yes as in my company you need the support of your line manager to go for an internal position

HR - never ever

It's quite normal in my CS department if you're applying internally to be up front about it. It saves your line manager going to a meeting chatting over coffee to hear oh one of your team has been shortlisted for xyz project.
I wouldn't disclose external though. I think when you apply internally even for a completely different department it's just seen as moving around, not leaving. People often crop back up later down the line. I've done it myself. I'm now back in a department I was in years ago but in a much more senior and niche role. It's lovely as I come across lots of people I've met over the years some either stayed, or have done something similar and boomeranged back in a different capacity.

Yeah but I'd prefer the heads up so I can start thinking about how it would be managed.

No.
My current team leader is great but I wouldn't say a word until I had a new contract.
I've had several managers who would use it as something to make life very difficult for you if they knew.

This

I would tell. Feels discourteous not to.
But- it's along time since I have done this- things may have changed.

Most managers expect their best workers to want to progress. It's completely natural and exactly what their manager did too.

Good mangers have a succession plan in place and a contingency plan to allow for expected and unexpected absences.

Do you every have one to one meetings or review sessions? Surely your manager must have some indication that you would like a change.

Just tell them, they usually aren't surprised.

don't do it, of the reasons mentioned above

I work for a large company and you have to actually get your managers permission to even send an application form in for an internal job. They are able to block your application if it's the business need that you remain in your role and they also set your notice period that you have to work before you can move