Climbing the Ladder: Should I Apply For An Internal Position?

Let’s be frank. Just about all of us are looking to climb the career ladder in some way. This isn’t necessarily because we want to advance, or because we’re on a career path. It could be due to financial reasons (another step up the ladder means a better salary), practical reasons, or just as a way to achieve personal growth. 

However, advancing in our chosen career isn’t going to be smooth sailing. All too often, we can’t simply wait for positions to come to us. We need to go out and search for them. Promotions can be stressful, and may even require relocation. Is there an easier option? 

Yes, and no. Applying for an internal position in your current company can remove a lot of the stresses and dangers of seeking out a completely new job. But be warned – applying for internal positions can bring a host of new issues to think about. 

So, should you apply for an internal position or not? What should you consider? Most worryingly of all – how do you tell your boss? Let’s discuss some pros and cons. 

Why Should You Consider Taking An Internal Position? 

There can be plenty of benefits to taking on an internal position, especially if you don’t want to uproot yourself and your family. However, if you are relocating to another area, applying for an internal position can keep you in the same company – and maybe even with a promotion and salary increase. 

Also, applying for an internal position means that you’re dealing with what you know. You’re familiar with the company and its values. You know how the business works, and you may already have built up an impressive reputation. Your coworkers and current managers may also put in a good word for you, which can give you an edge over other candidates. 

Starting up at a new company is stressful. You don’t know the way this company works – and every new work environment is different. You also take the risk of losing a comfortable work environment, pleasant coworkers, and a good manager, only to replace them with a less comfortable company. 

Once you’ve made the transfer to a new company, you can’t go back to your old job. There’s always a feeling of uncertainty – have you made the right decision? With an internal position, you can be much more sure about where you’re going and what to expect. 

Taking on an internal position allows you to move up your career ladder without destroying your reputation of loyalty. Loyal employees can be – and should be – highly valued. This reputation of loyalty and hard work can increase your chances of further promotions later on. 

How to Apply for an Internal Position 

All companies have a transparent way of applying for jobs. Postings need to be advertised, to give people outside the company a chance to apply. However, applying as a known quantity with a good reputation can give you an edge. 

Even so, you can’t be complacent. Getting the position is certainly not a given, regardless of how long you’ve been with the company. Each company will have a specific procedure for job applications, and internal applications might be slightly different. You should follow the procedure closely – you won’t be considered otherwise. 

If you’ve decided to tell your current boss before you apply (we’ll discuss more about this later) you can ask for a reference. However, that may not be a viable option. Update your resume, and apply for the position just as carefully as you would any other position. 

When it comes to your interview, it’s important not to get complacent. This isn’t just an informal chat, it’s a chance for the interviewer to see whether or not you’re suitable for this position. You might have been in your current job for a long time, and haven’t had to interview for a job recently. Brush up on your interviewing skills, and review common interview questions. 

Make sure you’re also up to date with all the latest information on the company. As an internal candidate, it won’t look good for you if you look ignorant about the company in any way. Essentially, you should approach the application with even more care than you would an external position. 

Telling Your Boss: The Dos and Don’ts

Deciding whether or not to apply for an internal position can be the easy part. The next question is a big one: Should you tell your boss? When should you tell your boss? 

The danger is that some employers don’t like their employees leaving, even for an internal position. Of course, this is a sign of a bad boss, and it’s probably the reason you’re thinking of leaving in the first place. Even so, your boss might well go and speak to the hiring manager or someone else in charge, and try and ruin your chances of getting the job. 

This is a terrible and sly thing to do, but it still happens. The hiring manager may or may not listen to your boss, depending on your reputation and the reputation of your boss. Even so, it’s a chance you might not want to take. In this situation, it could be wiser to wait until you’ve completed the application before telling your boss. Otherwise, you could find yourself with no chance of getting the internal position you wanted, and with a resentful boss in your current position. 

However, decent managers always encourage their staff to grow and take advantage of opportunities. If you have a good relationship with your boss, they can even put in a word for you with the hiring manager. An honest, glowing reference from your boss and coworkers will go a long way to getting you the job. 

So, here are a few things you should do when it comes to telling your boss. After all, you will need to tell them eventually! 

If you decide not to tell your boss before your application:

• Do keep your plans to yourself. If you believe that your boss will try and sabotage your chances, ask for your application to be kept confidential. Wait until you know whether or not you’ve got the position before telling your boss. Telling coworkers is a surefire way of your boss hearing about your application from somewhere else. Even if you’re openly applying for a job, talking about it too much can lead to embarrassment if you’re not chosen for the position. 
• Do keep your work performance high. Even if your boss is making your life difficult and you’re sure that you’ll soon be working in another section of the company, don’t let your standards slip. If your boss does find out about your application, they may use some recent mistake or failure on your part as a reason why you shouldn’t get the job. 
• Do stay civil. It can be difficult to stay positive and respectful in a toxic work environment. However, it’s important to keep your relationships solid, even if you never plan to see your boss again after your transfer. After all, you don’t want to burn your bridges before the lifeboat gets there! 
• Don’t let your boss find out from someone else. You will eventually need to tell your boss that you’re transferring. You should tell them yourself, but only after you’ve received word that you are getting the position. Schedule time to sit down and talk to your boss, and be respectful. Waiting until the very last moment to tell your boss – or letting them hear it from someone else – seems cowardly, and won’t leave them with a good impression of you. 
• Do assure your boss that your workplace and their management aren’t to blame. It’s always good to make it clear that you aren’t leaving under a cloud. Even though an unpleasant boss and workplace can motivate a transfer request, they often aren’t the only reason. In the interests of leaving good feelings and cordial relations behind you, try and end things civilly with your boss – even if you’re ecstatic to be leaving. 

Of course, this is the worst-case scenario. A good employer should encourage and support you, and maybe even offer some advice. If you’re reasonably sure that your boss will support you during your application, you might want to approach them with total transparency. 

If you decide to tell your boss before your application: 

• Do schedule an appointment. Set aside time to talk to your boss about the position you want to apply for. Listen carefully to any advice and suggestions they offer. You might even want to think of a few questions to ask before your appointment. 
• Don’t let your boss find out from someone else. Especially if you’ve decided to trust your employer, it’s important for you to tell them yourself. If your boss hears from a coworker that you’re applying for an internal position, they’ll naturally wonder why you haven’t spoken to them personally. They might feel offended and may presume that you’re unhappy with them and your working environment. This can damage your relationship with your boss. Remember, you may not get the position you’re applying for! 
• Do ask your boss for a reference. Good references from your boss and your coworkers can go a long way with the hiring manager. 
• Do make it clear that you aren’t unhappy with your current situation. Be sure that your boss doesn’t think that you’re unhappy with them or your coworkers. You can make this clear in your scheduled discussion. This is important if the position you’re applying for is a lateral move, rather than a straightforward step up the ladder. Outline your reasons, and how the move fits in with your career plan. 

If your boss is a reasonable, fair-minded employer, applying for an internal position can be so much simpler. 

Signs That You Shouldn’t Take an Internal Position

It’s possible to be caught up in how to apply for internal positions that you don’t stop to think about whether or not you should. Applying for any job is a serious consideration, and applying for an internal position isn’t always the right thing to do. 

The hiring manager will have a tough decision to make – would an internal or external candidate be better for the company? Putting yourself out there for a new position can be exciting. However, if you don’t plan ahead, you could find yourself in hot water. 

Here are a few signs that should put you off from applying for an internal position: 

• You aren’t qualified. 

This may seem like a very obvious piece of advice. However, a long stint at a company can leave us feeling relaxed and confident. We know what we’re doing, and we know we’re good at it. We might also start thinking that we know the company very well, and will do well anywhere in the company. So, we might presume that we’ll adjust to another internal position just fine. 

Of course, this isn’t the case. You should be sure to thoroughly read the job description before you reply. Applying for something you aren’t qualified to do or conducting a bad interview will reflect badly on you. 

• You’re desperate to get out of your current working situation. 

This is a tricky one. A toxic working situation can have a serious impact on your mental, physical, and emotional health, as well as affecting your productivity and overall work satisfaction. However, desperately applying for any job you can, simply to get away from your situation, won’t end well. You might find yourself applying for a job you don’t want and aren’t qualified to do – worse still, you might get the job. 

If a hiring manager suspects that your only motivation in applying is to get away from your boss, that won’t help your case at all. 

• The job opening doesn’t fit in with your planned goals. 

Lateral job moves – where your job is different, but not necessarily better – can work very well. However, you might find yourself backed into a corner. Once again, think carefully before you apply to an internal position. Hopping from position to position within the company won’t end well for you. 

Regardless of what you decide, stay civil, respectful, and conscientious. Count everything as a learning experience, and you can’t go wrong!