Consult your manager before you apply

- Have you ever been on a couple of dates with someone and you think it's going really well? You're making plans for the future and then all of a sudden, bam. One day, they decide that they just want to be friends or think you should see other people. It's the worst, especially if you don't see it coming. It can feel like a punch in the gut. You wonder, "What's wrong with me?" Or, "Did I do something?" Or, "What could I have done differently?" This is how your manager may feel if you do not warn them that you're looking elsewhere within the company. And I know, you're probably thinking, "But Jenna, I can't tell them. "If I do, they're going to treat me differently "or not give me a raise and if I don't get "this new internal job, they are totally going to know "that I'm not happy here and my existence "in this position will get 10 times worse." While I do understand there are nuances to internal politics, I can confidently say that in 95% of cases, it is best to just tell your manager. The worst thing you can do is blindside them. As I tell my clients, call out the elephant in the room before the room gets too small and the elephant gets too big. In other words, talk about it. When interviewing internally, having the support of your current manager can actually be a huge asset. If you've been building that trust with your manager, they can advocate for you internally. Think about it, they know the intimate details of your performance, your accomplishments, and can speak to your transferrable skillset. Having them on your internal interviewing team could seal the deal on your next move. Not to mention, they can give you feedback on how you're doing and can provide you with information that may help you sell yourself better. Still confused on how to bring this up? Follow a script in your next one-on-one meeting that goes something like this. "Kathryn, this may be a little bit awkward, "but I wanted to let you know that I recently applied "for the internal position as a sales trainer. "I have loved working on your team "and have learned so much from my time as a sales rep. "This role, though, will allow me to double down "on my strengths and to really help the company, "and my career, grow. "Obviously, as I'm interviewing, "I will still be 100% focused on my current work." As you can see, this response is gracious, conscientious, provides reason, and still assures your manager that you haven't totally checked out as you potentially transition. Use this framework and your manager won't just be prepared for your transition, they might just be your biggest supporter.