To mention other jobs to boss?

[Ooooooooy]

I’m not sure whether to tell my boss that I’m looking for jobs! I work in civil service where the culture is that you tell your manager that you’re applying for jobs. However that doesn’t stop managers from being funny when they know you want to leave…

There’s internal roles which require his sign off to apply. if successful, I could permanently leave his team in a couple of weeks. If I’m not successful, then it will be potentially awkward to remain on his team when he knows I’m job searching…

The side aspect is, I turned down another job to take this one and I regret it. I’m not sure whether that could be a way to drop in that I’m not sure about this job without necessarily saying I’m looking for jobs? or is that a dumb thing to bring up? I get the impression that he thinks he isn’t at risk of losing me and ideally if he realises that I have other options, I’d hope he would improve things but that could be unrealistic

Do you have regular development conversations with your manager? Is he aware of what you're looking to achieve in the next 0-5 years?

How long have you been doing this job?

No, he’s not really present and bogged down in his own personal issues/workload. I’ve been in role 6 months now. The job I turned down, I would have had a guaranteed promotion in 3 years. I don’t think I’ll get that same progression after 3 years in the role I’m
in now

I don’t work for the civil service but I do do a lot of staff management at reasonably senior levels.

In your position I wouldn’t mention other roles or that you are applying more generally - I think that you have more to lose than to gain here.

If there is a specific internal role/roles which need his signoff which you want to apply for them I would ask him to do that. I would format the conversation around why the new role would be good for you personally and professionally, what you would bring to it, and why signing off would be a positive for the organisation. I wouldn’t discuss any “push” reasons.

If he raises it further with you I would be honest about what he could do to keep you in his team / role if there are actions which he could take that would do that. If there aren’t I would say something fluffy about being ambitious and not discuss any push reasons.

If you do have concerns about the organisation or the team, or suggestions for improvement I would raise them completely Seperately from these conversations.

I agree with PP, don't mention "push" reasons, that you regret not taking the other opportunity or you're actively looking around to move jobs.

If you feel like your boss may not take your departure so well then maybe position it in a way that takes the sting out.

'I would like your support applying to [X role].' Then (again as PP suggested) talk about how it plays to your strengths and mention if there are anyways which may be beneficial for your current team if you are useful in moving to the new team.

Good luck 🍀

Are you having regular 1:1s about your current role? Sounds as thought there are plenty of push factors as well as regret about the job you turned down.

Book in regular catch ups with your manager regarding development and book and prep a decent (1hour) session soon to discuss road map - so you can find out what is achievable decelopment-wise in current role and what isn't. 6 months in role is long enough to be having that conversation.

If you make your goals clear to him and ask him what you need to do/ how he can help, you'll be being transparent and it will make sense for him to support you in going after what you want if he can't help you get there in current role.

I'd mention the internal one, but I wouldn't mention that you're looking externally.

If you've only been there six months, he is going to be annoyed, and he is going to realise that the fact you're looking is an indictment of him and your current job. So make your decisions with that in mind.

Thanks everyone some great advice here. It’s unfortunate as this role has the markings of being what I want, but it’s sort of due to his inaction or lack of interest that nothing actually moves forward

Just be up front and ask for permission to apply, don't let him or fear of his reaction make you pass up opportunities. You're leaving anyway, right?!

I'm a civil servant of many years by the way. I've had job regret and moved on very quickly, yes they get annoyed as you create a problem, but it's your life and you have to do what's right for you. People move around CS all the time.