Applying for internal position

[frugalone]

Hi, folks: I've been working in a library at my alma mater for the past couple of years. I thought for a long time that I wanted to become a librarian, and this job was a way for me to test the waters, get experience, etc. However, I have changed my mind. While the salary is OK (just), and the position is probably what people would call low-stress, I've been thinking of leaving for a while now, for various reasons. One of which is the hours I work. It's a little complicated to explain, but I end up using a lot of my vacation time to "make up for" days when the library is closed. For e.g., we'll be closed Labor Day weekend, and b/c I usually work Sundays, I will be scheduled for the next four days on, with only one day off for a weekend, unless I use a vacation day for a two-day weekend (if you can follow that). Also, I am not very happy with a co-worker who is a problem, I'm bored most of the time, there's no room for advancement, and my shift is such that I have no social life.

That said, a job opened up internally, in another department. I have the skills and background to do the job. I've even worked in that field before, and it is related to my BA. I pretty much did the job for a number of years at my former employer. However, it was a bad fit. Mostly because of the people in the department and the culture of the college (it was academic public relations).

I'm pretty comfortable here at my alma mater, and I have a friend in the dept. where the opening is. One of my concerns is that I may find the job stressful, as it deals with a lot of deadlines. However, as I said, I've done this before (I was a news reporter, too, and deadlines were never a problem). This job is more in line with a "career" than the one I have now. In fact, I have often wondered how I would ever explain to an interviewer what the heck I was doing in a library when I have more than 10 years of writing experience and I have a BA in English.

More concerns:

1. Do I tell my boss I am applying for this job? I hesitate because if I do, he'll know I'm not really dedicated to the job I have, and may think "oh, it's only a matter of time till she leaves. She'll always have a roving eye." Last year, I applied for a job w/in the library, and decided not to take it. So this is two job applications in two years.

2. I need to have three references. Who should I list as a reference? I am friendly with one of the librarians here, but again, I'm not sure I want it bandied about that I'm not into the job I have. But wouldn't it look weird if I *didn't* list at least *someone* from the library?

3. Am I more or less obligated to take the job if they offer it to me? Would I look like I was jerking people around if I didn't take the job?

Thank you, folks!

[rodeosweetheart]

Don't worry about explaining why you want the job with a BA in English. It is tough to get any academic job with a BA in English, so no one is going to think you are an underachiever.

1. Do I tell my boss I am applying for this job?
I wouldn't

2. I need to have three references. Who should I list as a reference? I am friendly with one of the librarians here, but again, I'm not sure I want it bandied about that I'm not into the job I have. But wouldn't it look weird if I *didn't* list at least *someone* from the library?
No, for the reasons you state about appearance of job shopping. Don't think it matters.

3. Am I more or less obligated to take the job if they offer it to me? Would I look like I was jerking people around if I didn't take the job?
I don't think so, but why wouldn't you take it?

[frugalone]

3. Am I more or less obligated to take the job if they offer it to me? Would I look like I was jerking people around if I didn't take the job?
I don't think so, but why wouldn't you take it?

Well, last year, when I interviewed for another library job in-house, I decided I didn't want to take it, so I withdrew my candidacy. There were just too many downsides to it. That's all.

Thanks for your input!

[frugalone]

Oh, another question: Since this is in-house, do you think it would be acceptable for me to ask HR about the salary range?

[rodeosweetheart]

Oh, another question: Since this is in-house, do you think it would be acceptable for me to ask HR about the salary range?
Well, what are you thoughts about why it would not be?
You hear all the usual first-person-to-mention money loses, but I don't see a big downside to asking for a range; usually they are posted that way on our state system, with three entry salaries at different levels and three final salaries at different levels. So what is the downside, do you think?

[frugalone]

It's the first-person-to-mention money thing, really. I work at a private institution, so no one knows what anyone else makes.

[rosarugosa]

Frugalone: It sounds like there aren't transparent rules to your job posting process. Is there an intranet or something with information you can access? At my company, you are required to let your manager know you have applied for another position once an interview is scheduled.

[iris lilies]

1. Do I tell my boss I am applying for this job? There is no need to do that. My staff regularly apply for jobs in our organization and they don't tell me about it, that's ok! Don't assume your boss thinks that is terrible, especially if it is a promotion and it more closely aligns with your background. I always like to see my good staff members move onwards and upwards. And secretly, I'm tickled to see the really good ones poached, especially by someone who is considered a tougher manager than I am.

2. I need to have three references. Who should I list as a reference? I am friendly with one of the librarians here, but again, I'm not sure I want it bandied about that I'm not into the job I have. But wouldn't it look weird if I *didn't* list at least *someone* from the library? Anyone you list as a reference should agree to act as one, but you probably know that. But you can always say something like "references furnished upon request" so that you aren't broadcasting to everyone that you are job hunting. If you aren't one of their choices, they won't ask for references.

3. Am I more or less obligated to take the job if they offer it to me? Would I look like I was jerking people around if I didn't take the job? Of course not. I've interviewed hundreds of people over the years and I sometimes get turned down by top candidates.

And of course ask for a salary range from HR, that seems strange not to.

[frugalone]

The employee manual just says that a supervisor "may" be contacted regarding current job performance. It doesn't state anywhere that you have to tell your supervisor, but they encourage open dialogue.


Frugalone: It sounds like there aren't transparent rules to your job posting process. Is there an intranet or something with information you can access? At my company, you are required to let your manager know you have applied for another position once an interview is scheduled.

[frugalone]

iris lilies--not sure if I can get away with "references furnished upon request." It's an automated job application system and I don't think it will let me finish the application w/o filling in all the blanks. I think it's a little ridiculous, writing a cover letter to HR when I've been working here two years. Making internal candidates go through the same process as external ones is silly, IMHO, but I think they are just trying to level the playing field.

[SteveinMN]

1. Do I tell my boss I am applying for this job?
YES. I'll qualify that by saying it's more a matter of the organization's culture, but at every place I've worked, applying for an internal position sponsored a call by either HR or the hiring supervisor to my supervisor. Hardly any supervisors like to be surprised. Why start this effort on the wrong foot by letting your supervisor be surprised by your application? Besides, applying sends the signal that you are ready to do something different (true, right?), and can open the door to that conversation with your boss. I know in the past you've mentioned that there are not many options open to you where you are. But certainly nothing will change unless you start the conversation.


2. I need to have three references. Who should I list as a reference?
If you're keeping your job hunt on the QT, you cannot include co-workers as references. And if it's not a library position, it won't hurt you to not have a current-coworker reference. Depending on how the application qualifies who's eligible, pick people who know your work style and your values. It also helps you to let them know they may get called and to coach them a little on what areas you'd like them to emphasize if they can.


3. Am I more or less obligated to take the job if they offer it to me? Would I look like I was jerking people around if I didn't take the job?
No, you're not obligated. You need to speak with them to learn more about exactly what the job entails, how your skills fit into what is and what they envision, etc. It may be that, after all is said and done, you won't think it's a fit for you even though they like you. Or there may be something about the position (like a vague feeling about its viability) which could lead you to say no. I can almost guarantee that, if you're not offered the job, the excuse will be "it wasn't a good fit". That can run both ways.

Don't forget, though, that you may have room for some negotiation in duties and responsibilities. If you like the job but there's an aspect you want to be able to work into slower, you may ask them to have someone do it or work with you for a period of time. Or if there's a responsibility that you don't think fits into the position, you have an opportunity to ask that it be given to someone else. But that conversation comes when they offer you the job.

[frugalone]

Thanks, Stevie. I guess I'm just hesitant to let the cat out of the bag because I don't want to leave this job unless something really good comes along. I have a lot of downtime on the job, where i can pretty much do whatever I want (within reason). It would have to be worthwhile for me to leave. That's why I don't want anyone here to know I am looking around. It really would upset the apple cart.

I just found out what the salary range is. It could be anywhere from $5K to $10K more a year for me. That's pretty significant and worthwhile, I would say.

[SteveinMN]

Thanks, Stevie. I guess I'm just hesitant to let the cat out of the bag because I don't want to leave this job unless something really good comes along.
Understandable. But you don't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. Be aware that, unless this is an "I've wanted to do this for a long time" position, it will signal that you are ready to move from what you have now. Only you can decide how much you want to risk your current comfort level with the possibility of new challenges and additional pay.

[SteveinMN]

So, frugalone, any news on this?

[frugalone]

Upon further thought, I decided I didn't really want to do that kind of work after all. I think the eye opener was when I said to myself, there is nothing I miss about that type of work. Ever.

So, I did not apply.