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Tip 90 – Talk to Your Boss About Your Next Job
Guess what? If you’ve built a strong relationship with your boss, you should be talking to him or her about your next job. It’s stupid to pretend you will be at your current job forever when everybody’s thinking about their next move...
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Posted by Keith Ferrazzi on September 27, 2007 | Permalink
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Comments
Great suggestion, but how do you do that, especially if your next job is the one your boss currently holds?
Posted by: Phil Gerbyshak | Sep 27, 2007 5:26:04 PM
The second week I was with my current company there was another employee that was leaving the organization.The owners gave her a sendoff like a parent sends their child to college. They (the owners) felt proud they had helped her learn and grow. They threw her a party and offered her an open invitation to return. Yes, they (the owners) are fine people, but the relationship was being built early and often.
Posted by: Cory Garrison | Sep 27, 2007 7:28:44 PM
I'm all for staying with a company as long as it is possible. There's too much emphasis on moving on. What's wrong with trying to stay make the company the best it can be? Especially in a smaller business, there can be a lot said for sticking in there! If it thrives and you've been loyal, the company should be ready to reward.
Posted by: Marty G | Sep 28, 2007 1:00:23 PM
You describe an, almost, fairy tale about an employer giving an emplployee opportunities to grow & eventually leave.
May I say that the fairy tale employer needs to be aware and use mentoring techniques, which work. You are assuming most employers are aware of these good practices. I don't think many are.
Built in to the work relationship at every level is that of POSITIVE REGARD. Without that, not much of anything else will work, inmho. Regards, Marilyn J. Tellez, M.A.
Certified Career & Job Transition Coach
E-mail: doitnow@nwinfo.net
Posted by: Marilyn J. Tellez, M.A | Sep 28, 2007 1:03:35 PM
I agree. This is the exact culture that lululemon athletica fosters and supports in their organization. When you walk into one of their retail outlets, or even their head office, the energy is so vibrant. And it's because their employees feel important and supported by their employer.
Posted by: Dana Williams | Sep 28, 2007 1:12:36 PM
I will go one more step and expand on Phil's question. What if you and your boss have similar interests and career paths and hence would be competing for the same next level job?
Posted by: Richard | Sep 28, 2007 1:14:13 PM
It says alot about the values/personality of the company that employs one if the "boss" and others are not willing to support employees in planning a career path - and in supporting each on it. Keith's tip is complementary to Marcus Buckingham's work on learning one's strengths - and fitting people to work where we get to use our best talents much of the time.
Posted by: Kare Anderson | Sep 28, 2007 1:23:43 PM
Even if an employee quits but maintains good relationships with the former boss, then he can become a part of the company's valuable network, especially if his next employer is a potential customer of the former one. From this point of view, the company should be even interested in spreading former employees around the globe if it treats people well.
This must be the same reason why universities, which have become more like for-profit businesses lately, are so interested in producing a large number of grateful graduates.
Posted by: Raokramer | Sep 28, 2007 6:58:36 PM
I have used this before with great success. At one position I was interviewing for I made sure it was known that I wanted to advance. Once I got into the position I continued letting everyone at the company know that I wanted to advance. One day I just happened to have the Chairman of the Board come in while I was at work. I told him of my desire to advance. He ended up taking me under his wing and once-a-week I would go to his office to get training from him that would make me more valuable to the company.
Posted by: Chris McNall | Sep 28, 2007 8:04:29 PM
Years ago, after I had been in an excellent position for about 3 years, I interviewed for a job outside the company that finally brought me to my first VP title, and allowed me to almost double my salary.
When I told my current employer, she erupted in anger, told me I was ungrateful, that I was absurd to think I could handle a VP position (her level), and told me to get out of her office.
She didn't speak to me for about 5 years.
Some employers are open to supporting their employees, seeing them grow and develop. Others are myopic and selfish. One needs to use caution in applying this tip. This tip is especially valuable for bosses out there: be confident enough to support your people in growing, developing, and advancing.
Posted by: nancy fox | Sep 29, 2007 3:42:35 AM
Years ago, after I had been in an excellent position for about 3 years, I interviewed for a job outside the company that finally brought me to my first VP title, and allowed me to almost double my salary.
When I told my current employer, she erupted in anger, told me I was ungrateful, that I was absurd to think I could handle a VP position (her level), and told me to get out of her office.
She didn't speak to me for about 5 years.
Some employers are open to supporting their employees, seeing them grow and develop. Others are myopic and selfish. One needs to use caution in applying this tip. This tip is especially valuable for bosses out there: be confident enough to support your people in growing, developing, and advancing.
Posted by: nancy fox | Sep 29, 2007 3:42:45 AM
This question does, indeed, pose a possible slippery slope. I think that one must be aware of and establish good relationships with the network above one's immediate boss. It is a rare instance when a decision at an upper level requires only one level of support. It is a web of influence in most cases.
Posted by: Deborah Darlington | Sep 29, 2007 4:13:11 AM
While I think that this post would be great, I'm not yet following what this suggests. I'm looking to launch an online magazine and none of my co-workers or boss know about it. They're all great people. My boss is a great guy. However, I figure that the whole thing about loose lips. Am I wrong here? Just wanted your feedback.
Posted by: J R | Sep 29, 2007 7:22:16 AM
It all depends on your boss. Sometimes, you just can't figure out how he or she will react. In some cases, the boss really does respect and understand that you have your own ambitions and that there's nothing wrong with that, especially when you're not exactly growing in your current position... My sister who works in an accounting firm is lucky enough to have a mature boss who understands her need to accept another opportunity elsewhere. An opportunity where she can really learn and evolve.
Posted by: jen_chan, writer SureFireWealth.com | Oct 2, 2007 1:22:47 AM
I agree. I think the world of my boss and I get the same in return. She knows that there are other opportunities out there for me. As we discussed my future one day, she mentioned that she only ask I give fair warning of my departure. That way I'll have plenty of time to train my replacement. I love the fact that we can communicate openly like that--and that is something I'll take with me when I go!
Posted by: Mark Jewell | Oct 2, 2007 7:24:24 AM
For me the biggest learning on this was what to do in terms of being a leader. My previous manager made it a point to know the career aspirations of a new employee on the first day, something I try to continue in my current role. I think it develops a lot of loyalty with people if they know that you're trying to help them grow in addition to just doing their job.
Posted by: Tim | Oct 2, 2007 2:49:40 PM
I've been at my job for almost two years. The department that I work in is extremely competitive. Everyone is young, beautiful and smart.
I'm in a newly created position; however, I have made it obvious to manager on numerous occasions that I am interested in advancing to the next position.
She always gives me generic answers and NEVER points me in the right direction or give feedback. Currently, they are looking for another person in my position for me to train. What should I do?
Are writings on the wall or what?
Posted by: Chakita R. Holmes | Oct 16, 2007 1:51:45 PM
I've been at my job for almost two years. The department that I work in is extremely competitive. Everyone is young, beautiful and smart.
I'm in a newly created position; however, I have made it obvious to manager on numerous occasions that I am interested in advancing to the next position.
She always gives me generic answers and NEVER points me in the right direction or give feedback. Currently, they are looking for another person in my position for me to train. What should I do?
Are writings on the wall or what?
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