If a position in your company becomes available, is it a better idea to go to your manager

[lokiju]

What's the best bet here.

Part of me thinks, who cares if it pleases my current manager or not but another part of me feels it's bad form to not get the blessing first to just see if I'd even be considered for the position.

What do you guys think?

Edit 7/22/08: I need more help!

The manager of the position I'm interested in still hasn't created a job description yet. I asked him about the position again this past Monday and he just said he hasn't had time to create a listing for it. My original plan was to wait for the listing to come out and then speak with my direct manager before applying for it, now with it being such a delay, I'm concerned that others in my company are going to start trying for the job before this happens.

Another thing I'm kind of torn on is my current manager said that when it's time for advancement in the company, the proper procedure is to be approached for the position and not to seek it out, while I think this is a bit of BS from past experience, it makes me have concerns that my current manager will take poorly to me approaching him about the job.

Basically I feel that if I approach him about it and he is not receptive then I'm left with no option but to look for another job with another company if I do not get the new position I'm interested in, this is a bit of a concern since overall I'm paid decent and enjoy the company I work for and what I do most of the time, I'd just much rather have the other job as it's a career I have been working towards for a number of years and what I'm doing now is steering me away from that path.

So confused on what to do.

But I've added a poll to address my current concern.

 

[paulxcook]

This is a good question, I'm interested to hear answers. I think it would depend on your relationship with your current manager. I've had managers who would try to help me get the position even though it meant he'd lose me, and I've had managers would would try to find a reason to fire me if he found out I wanted to leave.

 

[SpunkyJones]

I'd have an informal talk with the manager for the new position about what qualifications he's looking for, and if I fit, I'd ask my current boss about applying.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
I'd have an informal talk with the manager for the new position about what qualifications he's looking for, and if I fit, I'd ask my current boss about applying.

QFT

 

[darkxshade]

You should care if the other manager is going to talk to your current one about you.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
This is a good question, I'm interested to hear answers. I think it would depend on your relationship with your current manager. I've had managers who would try to help me get the position even though it meant he'd lose me, and I've had managers would would try to find a reason to fire me if he found out I wanted to leave.

Hard to say. I think he'd like to see my grow in the company but maybe more at his direction versus going under another manager, I'm just not sure though.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
You should care if the other manager is going to talk to your current one about you.

This is another factor as well of course.

But sometimes things won't happen if you don't ask.

Hard call...

 

[Capt Caveman]

Do you know the hiring manager?

I'm currently in this position. I'm friendly with the hiring manager and have spoken to him about the opportunity. I have submitted my resume directly to him and he's supposed to get back to me this or next week if he thinks it's fit. Letting my boss know that I'm interested in leaving the group would be career suicide if I don't get the new position so I plan to find out upfront if I will be hired or not for the new position before formally submitting an application and informing my manager.

The hiring manager knows the situation and knows to keep things on the down low.

 

[ggnl]

I'd talk to the other boss first. I'd only let my boss know if I decided to apply for the position.

 

[lokiju]

Bump with edit and additional poll

 

[SpunkyJones]

Your current manager is an idiot, wait to be approached? I've never heard of this theory before. Don't worry about not getting the job till you crossed that bridge, approach the new manager again and ask about what he is looking for in an applicant. Then apply. Your thinking too hard about this, relax and see what happens.

 

[lokiju]

Day time bump.