To not tell my boss I'm applying for a different job?

[Sophiehoney]

I think I'm just feeling guilty.

I started a new job in October.

My team are all really nice and my boss is great. Were the same age and I feel I get on with her.

However, the job just isn't satisfying. It's boring, not challenging in the slightest, and there isn't enough for me to do. It also involves weekends which I'd rather spend with the kids.

I've seen another job advertised, same place, different department, that I really want. I've applied and have an interview next week.

I haven't mentioned this to my boss or my team in case I don't get it and it comes to nothing.

I feel really bad because it will take them ages to replace me, then there's a long induction process before whoever they recruit can start, so it will be months of extra work for the team to fill in the gaps, plus someone is currently on long term sick and I've been taking on overtime to fill her place so they'll be doubly screwed. I could give them a heads up??

I also don't want the pressure of having to make sure noone from my team sees me when I come in for interview on a day I'm not supposed to be working.

But I just hate the thought of extra people knowing and having to tell them all I didn't get it, and them all knowing that I want to leave.

WWYD?

No don't tell your boss or anyone on your team. It won't help them anyway, as they can't advertise your job until you officially give notice. It will just cause an atmosphere.

YANBU. Cross that bridge if you come to it - as long as you’re professional, complete your work you’re fine. Your job would replace you asap if something happened to you, you don’t need to extend unlimited loyalty.

You don't owe an employer anything. I've just done similar. Started a job on November and handed my notice on last week. One week notice. It was a brand new client and it will leave the in a muddle until I'm replaced but it is what it is. The job isn't right for me and I've had a better offer. I am replaceable same as you are. Good luck!

At my work, we have to tell our line manager if we are applying for an internal post. If you don’t, don’t worry about it. If it comes to anything, your managers can deal with it then.

Good luck!

Usually I'd agree, but you say it's the same company? It might be better to mention it to your manager. The other team manager for the new job may well contact her anyway and if she knows nothing about it, it may put you in a slightly negative light in both their eyes. Your colleagues don't need to know, but it might look better on you if you at least tell your manager. I work for a very big company and we have to tell our manager if we're applying for something in another department within the company.

Thank you, I'm so nervous because if I don't get it, I'll see and communicate with the team I would have been working with every day and also have to see and work with the person who beat me every day which will suck.
It matches my skill set perfectly but I've been out of the game a few years.

A different depaetment at the same place - is it realistic to think your boss won't know/find out if you have been offered an interview?

I'm pretty sure your manager will find out.

I would at least give them the heads up.

this

Hopefully you do get it but in the public sector especially there are often internal jobs advertised or promotion boards and lots of people in the position of not being successful at the first attempt and it's quite normalised.

I'm with you in that I hate that feeling but in a similar situation I told my manager I was applying for an internal promotion then she said she might apply. So cringe!

In my organisation if I apply for a role my manager is automatically informed, so I would have no choice but to tell them first.

For an internal post, can you be certain that your manager won’t be told? I work in an industry where everyone knows everyone, so I have always told my managers when applying for another role in other organisations and have explained what the other job can offer me that the current one doesn’t and downplayed how much I want it, but why I feel I have to apply. I figure it would be worse them hearing from someone else.

In most circumstances though, e.g. bigger industries or external roles, I would generally advise not to say anything.

In my previous organisation you weren’t allowed to apply for another role without letting your manager know.
I think you need to give them the heads up out of professional courtesy, it’s rather rude not to and they find out through someone else mentioning it.

It wasn't advertised internally, I found it on the organisations general website.

But still, the managers may talk.

Still, it's an internal position. I completely disagree with what others have been saying, in most companies it is common practice to inform your manager when applying for an internal position.
It's particularly sensitive when you've just been recruited and are probably still on probation.

You could wait to see if you're screened for the interview before sharing, or maybe even after the first interview if it's an HR screening as they will be able to advise. But in the meantime you should look at what your employer policy is, because it could be badly received.

If it's an internal job I think you should tell your manager if there is any chance at all they will find out via other means. It will reflect bady on you to both your current manager and your new department otherwise. Honestly, I think you should have spoken to them at the time you applied, but better late than never.

If your teams work that closely, I’d definitely tell your manager. When you get it, you don’t want hard feeling with your old manager, or make her/him think you are unprofessional. Honest comms go a long way!!