I got an email the other day from someone feeling frustrated by their current job. “My boss won’t let me transfer,” they told me.” And I don’t know what to do.”
I connected right away, because the same thing once happened to me. In fact, it was one of the turning points in my career. A time when I let my emotions take over. But oh the lessons I learned!
“Boss won’t let me transfer” story
In the beginning
My second job out of grad school, I got a job doing financial analysis for a major record company. The first job (in a bank) was boring as heck. And I couldn’t wait to get to something more interesting.
Then someone I knew from school told me about the record company opening in their finance department. I jumped at the chance to get my foot in the door — and get paid. Best of all, it was a well-known company with lots of room to grow.
Sure, this particular job wasn’t the most exciting. But it was my way to use actual “transferable” finance experience to get into the music business. And a way to connect to others who could eventually help me move to more interesting career opportunities.
And then 10 months later
Having done my best in the job I had, I was ready to move on. My plan was to take my earned “goodwill” and search for a new job in the same company. And I found one. A great one!
I had a chance to move from finance to marketing and work as a product manager for our Paris office. A dream job. But the finance VP didn’t want to let me leave before my year was up.
In fact, he made a new rule saying no one could transfer until they worked in a job for TWO years. If I wanted to stay with the company, I’d have to do the same boring job for another year plus.
So, after throwing a few apoplectic fits, I quit. Without another job. This is NOT the way I’d suggest you handle things. But I was young and had a lot to learn about corporate politics, smart career growth, and reality.
NOTE: What I learned afterward
The one thing I couldn’t know was that the VP of marketing and VP of finance had recently broken up. And there was no way he, the finance VP, was going to let me go to HER, the marketing VP.
Turns out that none of it was really about me. But it sure felt all about me at the time. Lesson learned? There’s often more going on behind the scenes than you know!
How to handle boss transfer issue
Jumping ship (especially without a life raft), isn’t always the smartest move. Before making any rash career moves — or taking it too personally — it pays to look at the situation objectively.
Some reasons boss won’t let you transfer
- You’re too valuable to the department.
- Boss is a power-mad bully.
- Hiring & training a new replacement takes too long.
- There are political reasons you’ll never know about.
- You haven’t been with the company long enough yet.
- Boss doesn’t like you & won’t support your growth.
- Your boss may think / know you’re not right for the new position.
Things you might try to help
If it’s only about the boss and his or her need to control 100%, there may not be much you can do. Even if the other department really wants you, a determined boss can stop you from transferring. Or at least try hard to do so.
But, rather than rushing out the door with or without a new job, there might be some things worth trying first. As I learned, what feels oh so urgent in the moment, might be worth waiting for. And strategically planning for.
- Even somewhat controlling bosses can be won over, especially if they are part of your decision. It pays to include them in your thinking and offer to train the new person fully. Make sure they know it’s not about THEM, but your own career development.
- If the answer is no, keep the conversation open with your boss and try again in the future. Yes, you missed this one, but that doesn’t mean you can’t network in the meantime. And create a stronger support foundation for your next step.
- Meanwhile you build the best reputation you can where you are. And keep building connections and skills that fit your next career move.
What about going to HR?
In my post Why Is HR So Useless When You’re Being Bullied? I gave you some reasons why HR might not be your best ally. But when it comes to transfers within the company, if the company policy allows it, they may be a real asset.
At least, it’s worth speaking with them about the transfer. Tell them why this fits into your career development path within the company. They may have some insight into the situation — and know ways to help.
While there are no guarantees they won’t be on your boss’s side, it’s worth weighing your risk vs potential reward. Just factor in the type of boss you have and how likely they are to respond negatively.
And whatever you do, don’t bad mouth your boss — that can get around to him as well as other possible bosses. Just ask for help / guidance.
In case you do need to leave
All that said, you may decide you are not going to keep working for the same boss who won’t let you transfer. Maybe there’s reason to hang around and keep trying, but maybe it is time to leave.
If so, brush up your resume and LinkedIn profile so they point to where you want to go NEXT. And start networking!
⇒ How To Quit a Job (Without Hurting Yourself)
More articles to help
Real Problem (Maybe) If Your Job Feels Wrong
How Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Job!
Workplace Solutions: The Whole vs The Parts
How To Change Your Job Without Quitting
Workplace Culture: Putting a New Perspective To Work
What To Do If Your Job Makes You Miserable
Why It’s So Easy To Get Mad at Your Boss
My Boss Tries To Control Everything!
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I have been in my current job for 11 years. After a year they told me I could move up in company. I have applied for over a 1000 jobs with company and have only had two interviews. Got in touch with HR and they went back and told my boss everything. After that HR has avoided me ever since. I was turned down for a team lead job, cause new manager said I didn’t have enough experience? I am 42 now and new guy that has never worked a day there is 30.
Hi Donald! Oh do I feel for you. Other things I want to say when I’m able to write more. Meanwhile, I wanted to share your comment, but removed your last name for your online reputation, since even comments can live on and on in cyberland.
For anyone who wants to know why: Is Your Online Reputation Hurting Your Job Search?
Hi again Donald,
I’m going to try to write a post about roadblocks to internal promotions, but that may take a while. So just want to again say how sorry I am. Unfortunately, there are too many reasons why this happens for me to have a great solution for your particular situation.
Sometimes it’s as simple as the company has a picture of you that doesn’t make room for who you can be in another role. Or someone is blocking you. Or, as I’ve experienced, sometimes you simply have to move to a new company to be seen in a new light. But I know the latter is not always possible.
I wish you could speak to your boss or HR and ask for the straight story as to your chances to ever move to a new role. Are there skills you need to acquire? Is there a project you can take on to show them you do have the skills? But in your situation, maybe that’s simply not possible.
I wish you luck figuring out a way to get to a job you want, even if it takes networking outside the company to eventually land it.
P.S. As for HR, here are some more thoughts about turning to them for help. There are certainly times when HR can be your ally, but even the good ones do have to report to the company they work for! Why Is HR So Useless When You’re Being Bullied?