Is it appropriate to use office email to apply for a transfer?
You may want to move on from your current job, but perhaps you are not
aware that your best chance for a new job is to apply for an internal
position. Many companies prefer to hire from within. Doing so not only
means keeping an employee they like, it helps ensure any investment in
training provided that individual stays at the organization and doesn't
benefit a competitor.
What's the best way to apply to a job inside your company?
Find opportunities.
Your company likely posts positions on its website, but it may also list
opportunities internally before advertising to outsiders. If you don't
already know exactly how positions are posted, finding out should be
your first priority. In this exploratory stage, you may not want to
announce your intentions to everyone in the office, or to your boss, but
a quick search on your company's website or a review of the employee
handbook should provide the information you need about how to identify
internal opportunities.
Don't forget to follow your own company on LinkedIn
if it maintains a presence there, as it can be a great way to find out
information about new job opportunities you may have missed.
Research your organization.
What kind of people does your company seem to like? You can learn a lot
by talking to others who have worked in the organization a long time.
What have their career paths
been? Ask about their moves from one job to the next. Were they
promoted? Did they take lateral moves to other departments? How
supportive (or not) were their supervisors? Were there programs at the
company they tapped into to help them plan and navigate their careers?
Asking these and other questions can help you understand your
organization's approach to internal transfers.
Prepare to explain your goals.
When you're seeking a promotion, it's easy to explain why you want to
move from the job you have to the better opportunity. However, you may
be considering a lateral move that doesn't come with more money or
prestige. If that's the case, be ready to explain your motivations.
Realistically, your goal may be to move away from a difficult boss,
or perhaps you're hoping a new department won't expect you to work so
many hours. Neither of these reasons are compelling from the
institution's perspective, so be sure you plan a reasonable explanation
that seems like a win-win. For example, you may explain that you want
your skills to be more well rounded to enhance your ability to work with
clients. Or, you have a very strong interest in marketing and believe your customer service background and skills provide a good foundation for being successful in the new department.
Talk to your supervisor.
Once you identify why you are motivated to look for a different position inside the company,
and have seen at least one position that interests you, it's time to
speak to your supervisor. Explain your goals and ask your boss to
support your career plans. Keep the conversation very positive; do not
indicate your desire to move reflects poorly on his or her leadership.
Even if it does, it is not likely to help your case by sharing your
feelings.
Apply for the job.
Yes, you can use your company email to apply for an internal position.
Depending on the process, it may be the only thing that differentiates
you from other applicants and will alert hiring managers that you're
applying from within.
Even though you should have an advantage, don't rely on your internal
candidacy to make the case for winning the job. Compose well-written and
thought out application materials that describe why you are a good fit
and how your accomplishments support your ability to do a great job in
the proposed role. From the point of applying on, prepare and act as you
would if you were seeking an external job. Take the process very
seriously and plan ahead what you will say in an interview.
Since you're an internal candidate, there's even more pressure on you
to be able to describe how you can help the organization in the new
role. Use every resource at your disposal to make a great case, and you could be moving offices before you know it.