Job searching: heads up or no heads up?

Sour Lemon · Apr 22, 2018

What's the best approach when looking to transfer to another department. Should you give the boss a heads up or not? It seems like all the directors talk to each other anyway so they are bound to find out, but if you are talking/ interviewing with another department and have not secured anything does it make sense to do that?
I'd like to be considerate and respectful to my boss in giving them a heads up but at the same time I don't want to risk losing my job or him trying to convince to stay either.
Any words of advice / ways to approach this touchy matter is much appreciated. Thanks!

I think that would depend on the sort of relationship I had with my manager and how things had gone for others who left before me. With none of that information to rely on, I think I'd say something suggestive as opposed to absolute. Think of saying something casually like, "I've always been fascinated with NICU." as opposed to, "I've applied for three different NICU jobs and already have two interviews set up."

Plant the idea so it's not a huge surprise when you move on.

dma13 · Apr 22, 2018

Thats a good way to look at it...I personally don't really interact with my manager very much. I work nights, if I see him it's more of a hi/ bye relationship and most of our important communication stuff is done via email I'd say.

inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Apr 23, 2018

Wanting to expand your experience is never a bad thing. In interviews, they'll ask why you want to transfer. As long as you don't paint a picture of your previous boss as the worst guy ever, it should be ok.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 23, 2018

I agree, consider your relationship with your boss before deciding if you want to give the a heads-up.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2018

It's professional courtesy to give your boss the heads up.

If your boss is satan incarnate though, use your discretion.