Here’s a Radical Concept: Interview for Jobs and Tell Your Boss About It
Isn’t it funny that we are so secretive about interviewing for jobs while currently employed? When we do it, we go into full stealth mode, so no one could possibly catch onto the fact that we are interviewing for jobs outside the company. Because, if they found out, the world would end, right? Probably not.
Interview for jobs. Go ahead. It’s okay. I won’t be offended. I won’t think you are disloyal to the company.
I do something pretty weird. I tell my boss when I’m interviewing for a job. I know this is weird because I hardly know anyone else that’s done it, and as a boss, it’s very rarely been done to me. Only a few of my direct reports have ever talked to me about the fact that they are interviewing.
Because I’m not all that sleuthy, the first time I hear about it is when I get their resignation. Then it’s a done deal. Regardless of the reason, I’m no longer in a position to help fix whatever is driving the person away, and I’m certainly not going to enter into some pressured counter-offer situation.
This entire article is predicated on the assumption that you trust your boss. If you don’t trust your boss and that’s why you are interviewing for a different job, then find someone else in the company that you do trust.
Here’s why you should talk to your boss about interviewing:
- Your boss is probably more experienced and better connected to the industry than you are. Why not talk to her about the opportunity? She may know people at the other company and give you insight.
- Your boss cares about your professional development. If you need a new challenge, and that cannot be easily satisfied within the company, then your boss is going to support you in your search. She also knows your strengths and weaknesses and can help put you on the path toward success.
- Your boss can do something about your current situation. Why are you looking for a new job anyway? If there is something that isn’t working for you, then give your boss a chance to address it. When you have an offer in your hand, it’s too late.
The decision to leave a job for a new opportunity at a different company is incredibly difficult and risky. We all know that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. No company is perfect. You are often trading one set of problems for another. You need as much insight as possible. If you aren’t talking to your boss then you simply don’t have as much information or options as you could.
I believe it’s healthy for folks to interview for jobs every so often.
Unhappy with your compensation? Test the market. Maybe you are right. Maybe you are wrong. Think your company is dysfunctional? Interview at a different one and be sure to talk to people that used to work at that company. They will tell you how it is. (These people are easy to find with a LinkedIn search.)
There are a lot of lousy companies out there. The whole act of interviewing could make you a lot more satisfied with your current job.
As a side benefit, you stay sharp and well-networked, which is nice should you find yourself suddenly and unexpectedly in the job market for any variety of reasons.
Those are my thoughts on the subject. I’m a loyal guy. I’ve worked at only a few companies for a decent duration at each. I’ve been fortunate to have bosses that want what’s best for my career, want what’s best for the company, and understand how those interests intersect. The important lesson here is to have open discussions with your boss about your career aspirations and current job satisfaction. Your boss is on your side.
Also, here’s a not-so-subtle point for all of the bosses out there: be the kind of approachable leader that makes this sort of interaction possible.
5 thoughts on “Here’s a Radical Concept: Interview for Jobs and Tell Your Boss About It”
Isn’t the fear that if you tell your boss you want to interview that they may not give you any challenging projects to work on? They think that you may be gone in the next 3 to 6 to 9 months. Why would a manager put a member of their team on a tough project that they may not end up finishing. Essentially making yourself a “lame duck”.
Good question Chad. Ultimately, it needs to be a bigger conversation. The outcome you described is certainly one possibility. The other is the boss may think, I really want to keep Chad engaged and challenged so he doesn’t leave, therefore I will give him the big important project.
I shared the last interviews with my current boss and it resulted in no further discussion. In the past though – sharing my interview resulted in the receiving company receiving a threat of repercussions for poaching an employee knocking the open door closed. I agree that good communication and professional development leads to no surprises and occasionally a report grows beyond the opportunity that you can afford them.
That’s unfortunate. I’ve lost employees before, and have event felt “poached” from. Leaders need to take the high-road. If my employee is better off somewhere else for their own career development, and I cannot fulfill that here, then I need to have a better response. Yes, labor competition can get nasty, but there’s a better way. Perhaps I’m overly optimistic, but I thought I’d challenge the conventional wisdom with this article.
Zach, I like the thought and idea. I agree that a good leader is approachable and willing to help their team members be satisfied with their career. The last time I worked for a leader like that was in the late 1990s. It is very unfortunate that many managers are not taught and trained to be great leaders. Leaders are caring, nurturing, encouraging, and when needed correcting and disciplining. However, we often forget that the word discipline has the same root as disciple. A disciple is someone with whom we make a heart-felt connection where we care for that disciple and want what is best for them.