In difficult
economic times, an internal transfer can provide many of the advantages of a
new position without the risks of looking for a completely new job.
Consider these
reasons for making an in-house move and strategies for accomplishing a
successful transition.
Benefits of Making
an Internal Transfer
1. Learn new
skills. Assuming a new role in your company gives you an opportunity to
branch out. If you've been crunching numbers for the past few years, now is
the time to master writing proposals.
2. Expand your network. Changing
departments will help to raise your visibility. Interacting with another team
enables you to form new alliances while maintaining access to your old
coworkers.
3. Increase your job
security. Many companies value a well-rounded employee. Seeing the
business from multiple perspectives gives you an advantage in understanding how
all the parts work together.
4. Hold onto your
benefits. If you've been in your current job for a while, you may have built up
valuable benefits like extra vacation time. You may also like the idea of
keeping your current health insurance and sticking with the same doctors.
5. Feel more
motivated. It's easy to get stale when you've been doing the same thing year after
year. Enjoy the excitement of mixing things up.
6. Take on new
challenges. Whether your new position is a promotion or lateral move, it's a chance
to test your abilities and grow.
7. Minimize
stress. In house options can be a pleasant blend of familiarity and
change. You get to make a fresh start without the upheaval that goes along
with starting over with a brand new company.
Strategies for Making Your Internal Transfer Successful
1. Consider the whole
picture. It's always nice to get a raise. It may be even more
important to assess any transfer in terms of how it will advance your career in
the long run and add to your job satisfaction. Evaluate all the
factors involved.
2. Make an
impact. Get to know the priorities of your new supervisor and the culture of the
unit. Hit the ground running by making contributions that will get
noticed and demonstrate your worth.
3. Get to know your
new colleagues. Our relationships with our coworkers play a big part in whether we enjoy
our work. Invite people out to lunch. Volunteer for assignments that enable you
to work side by side with people you can learn from.
4. Preserve old
ties. If you've grown close to the people in your department, it's reassuring
to know that you're sticking close to home. You can still get together to
socialize and see each other around the office.
5. Facilitate a smooth
transition. Prepare a written report on your outstanding projects so your
successor knows where to pick up. Make yourself available for any questions
they may have.
6. Address any
discipline issues. While lateral moves can be a very good thing, they're
sometimes viewed with caution because of cases where they cover up issues by
transferring an employee rather than dealing directly with conflicts or
deficiencies. Be honest with yourself and welcome feedback about areas where
you need to improve.
7. Reevaluate your
goals. Whenever you shake up your routine, it can be a good opportunity to
review all aspects of your life. You may decide you also want to take some
adult education classes or exercise more.
When you're
reluctant to switch employers, you can advance your career through an internal
transfer. Look for opportunities in your current workplace and get off to great
start in your new role with these tips.
