How to Apply for a New Job Within Your Company

So you’ve found a great company to work for, you know the management styles and expectations and you love the company culture and work-life balance— congratulations! This is often the hardest thing to find. Now that you’ve gotten used to working at the company and have sharpened your skills, you’re ready to apply for a new job within the company. But, how exactly do you go about doing that? In this post, we’ll go over some tips and tricks for applying for a new job within your company.

Keep Your Eyes Open for Openings: First thing’s first, you need to find a job opening that is suitable for you before you can get a new job within your company. Lucky for you, since you already work there you may be privy to job openings before they are posted to the public. If possible, sign up for job alerts at your company so you can be the first to know when a new position is posted. Before you apply, make sure you have the requirements the company is seeking.

How to Apply for an Internal Position: You’re probably wondering what the best way to apply for a new job at your company is. Depending on the size and how casual your company culture is, there are a few different ways. If you work for a smaller, casual company, applying for a new position could simply entail walking into HR’s office or a quick chat with your current supervisor.

For larger companies, there is typically an internal job application process that must be followed. Hiring managers will still expect you to follow all rules and remain professional during the interview and application process. Don’t let your guard down and think you are a shoo-in just because you currently work there. Thinking so is an easy way to get passed up for the role.

Network: Who do you know within the company that knows somebody that works in the department you are hoping to transfer to? Do you know someone in HR? Another hiring manager? Think about all of your possible connections and use them to your advantage. If you’re open with your current manager, maybe they will even give you a referral!

Or, if you have a colleague that works in the department you are looking to transfer to, have them ask around about open positions and put in a good word for you. Even better, if your application requires references and you are able to use current company employees that can attest to your work ethic and qualifications, this will surely help boost your application.

Tell Your Boss: You’ll want to tell your current boss as soon as possible that you have applied or are considering applying for a different position. This will avoid any awkward conversations if your boss finds out from someone other than you. Especially because you may not get the job you are applying for, so it’s important to stay on good terms with your current boss.

Plus, even if you do get a new position, it’s likely you’ll run into your former boss at company events or the water cooler. The best way to tell your current boss you are exploring new opportunities is to focus on the positives of your current role, what you have learned, and how much you enjoy working for the company.

Introduce Yourself: Here is where working at the same company you are applying to will give you another huge advantage. After submitting your application and telling your boss, go introduce yourself to the hiring manager of the role you are applying for. Bring a hard copy of your resume to hand over to them and let them know that you have submitted the application online or whichever way you did it. Use this as a chance to introduce yourself, show off your personality, and let them know you are sincerely interested in the position.

Post-Interview: After you’ve nailed the interview, you have the chance to leave a lasting impression with standout manners. Drop off a personal thank you note to the hiring manager or leave it in their work mailbox. Also, if you get the job, leave a thank you note to your former boss for their gracefulness to let you apply for a different job and for recommending you if they did and to thank them for all you have learned from them.

The opportunity for a new job within a company that you love is extremely exciting, but it can also be a tough territory to navigate. We hope these tips will streamline the process and make it a little easier for you and everyone you work with.