I want to stay within my current company, but I’m ready to move on from my current position.  I recently saw a job posting that really interests me, but I’m not sure what to do.  Should I just apply for the position and not tell my boss?  Or should I let him know and hope that it doesn’t get held against me if it doesn’t work out? 

It’s never easy to deal with this type of situation.  I think our natural reaction is to not tell our bosses, just because we don’t want to risk our current position for one that we may or may not end up getting.  The real answer to your question is that it depends.  There are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether or not to tell your boss you’re looking for a new job, and you’ll have to analyze them carefully to make the right decision for your situation.

The first thing you need to consider is the relationship that you have with your boss.  Have you been able to be open and honestly communicate with one another in the past?  Have you been able to have differing viewpoints without causing personal conflicts?  Is your boss the reason you’re trying to leave your current job, or have you had issues with them in the past?  If so, then maybe the best advice is that you shouldn’t tell them.  Tell them as soon as you can as a courtesy, but if you don’t have a level of trust with your current boss then wait until you have something set in stone before you break the news. 

I would hope that most people have a decent relationship with their boss.  In that case I would think strongly about telling them your intentions.  For one, it’s the courteous thing to do.  At work we build relationships and we depend on them to get things done.  You want to watch out for your own interests, but also think about your current team and what losing you will mean to them.  Giving proper notice is a nice thing to do if you can given your current situation.

Since you’re looking to stay within the same company, telling your boss prior to putting in for that new position shows a lot of professionalism that can benefit you later.  The truth is, nobody knows what’s going to happen in the future, and the fact that you left on professional terms can bode well for you down the road.  Rarely do we think about the job after next, but if you plan to stay within your current organization planning ahead can pay dividends.  Don’t burn your bridges unless you absolutely have to, you never know when you might need one.  Good luck!

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