It’s 2024 and we no longer have static careers and if you’re among those looking for a change within the company, you might be faced with the awkward question, “How to tell your boss you want to transfer?” Many organizations are absolutely firm about only allowing you to work in the position you were hired for because they only hire on an absolute need basis which means there are unlikely to be open roles for you. On the other hand, many companies do allow employees to transfer jobs within the same company, whether it’s to a different role or a different branch of the organization. Whatever your personal reasons for the job transfer, knowing how to tell a manager about the internal transfer or how to ask for it is critical for a smooth transition to your new role if it is viable.
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How to Tell Your Boss You Want to Transfer
While considering a transfer of jobs within the same company, there are many different elements to consider before bringing it up. The first element of the process is understanding what your personal reasons for the job transfer are. If you are unable to explain this clearly, it could appear as though you’re requesting the transfer on a whim or because you’re bored, and that you might move to another position and do the same thing again. Clarity is essential before you seriously consider how to tell a manager about an internal transfer.
Identify The Reason For Asking For a Transfer
In order to convince someone else that the transfer is the right move, you need to have conviction in the decision. Understand your own reason for the transfer and also identify how you might be able to give back to the company through this transfer to help the company see the benefits they could receive as well. Some common reasons for an internal transfer include:
- Moving to a different team at the same company due to personal or familial reasons such as a spouse moving to a different region for work or educational opportunities in the new location
- Relocation to a different branch due to unresolvable conflicts with coworkers at this one
- Career opportunities that can be sought from working in a different department
- Desire to switch career paths and take on a new role that is better suited for you
- Newly opened position at the company that they start hiring for that you feel you are suited for
- Interest in a project in a parallel team and confidence that you can contribute to the project well due to it matching your area of interest
- Better work-life balance by working in a branch that is closer to you or offers better benefits
- Opportunity or invite from another team to come to work with them to share your expertise
Understand Your Company Policies And The Viability Of Your Transfer Request
Before you start practicing how to tell a manager about an internal transfer, understand what your company policies are regarding such requests or how such requests have been dealt with in the past. This should give you an idea of how to frame your request while also preparing you for their response. You might also benefit from a discussion with your HR team first before you put in an official request with your boss.
Additionally, go over the job requirements and see if you truly fit the role. It may seem like what you’re looking for on the surface but careful consideration might show it is quite different from your expectations. If they want someone with 10 years of experience in the role but you’re only just switching career paths to start fresh in this unfamiliar position, you may not be eligible for the transfer even if your boss is understanding.
Even if you don’t have the exact experience they’re looking for, comb through your last few years of work to see where your skills may line up with what they are looking for so you can present a convincing case to them. Update your resume get your documents in order before you ask, and highlight your familiarity with the various aspects of the company.
Get to Work on Asking to Transfer Jobs within the Same Company
Now that you have a clear picture of what you want and what you’re getting into, you can get started with the actual plan on how to tell your boss you want to transfer.
- Identify whether your boss prefers email communication or in-person communication first. Each boss is different and might have different guidelines on how you approach them, so proceed accordingly
- Even if you start with an email, use it to schedule a time to talk to them in person as this isn’t a conversation that can be resolved online
- Arrive at the meeting with all the relevant documents—resume, job you want to apply for, relevant qualification documents, etc. Being prepared is always better
- Explain your interest in the new position and why you think you would be right for it
- How to tell your boss you want to transfer? Don’t make it sound like you’re running away from them even if you are. Express that it’s more in interest for the new position rather than a dislike for the current one
- Highlight your own experiences that make you right for the role–showcase how you have already grown with the company and how you can grow further
- If there are any issues that could come up, offer your solutions to them, such as taking the new role only after your current ongoing project is complete
- Propose a plan for the transition if they are interested in how you think you can make this plan viable
- Offer to help in the hiring and recruitment process for the role you are vacating
- Ask them what concerns they have and how you might be able to address them so your transfer of jobs within the same company is smooth
- Do not get angry or aggressive if they do not appear receptive to the idea—explore any room for negotiation that they might present
- Conclude by expressing your gratitude for your organization and thanking them for listening to you
It is likely that you will not receive a conclusive answer at the end of the conversation and that’s alright. Considering the magnitude of change, your manager or boss might have to take some time to consider your points and discuss the matter with others more directly involved in the hiring process. Send an email with all the relevant points from your conversation and let them know that you are available for further conversations or testing as is necessary for the prospective role.
Understanding how to tell a manager about an internal transfer may also involve the process being approved by your boss without going through your manager. This isn’t ideal and you might have to work a little harder to inform them of your transfer and your appreciation of the time they spent training you and overseeing your work. There are many examples of how to ask for a transfer to another location but at the end of the day, you have to ensure that your approach to the situation is calm and collected and doesn’t jeopardize your current position in hopes of a future one.