Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
(OP)
I have a situation where I am securely employed with 5+ years experience at a good company that treats me decent and I have no complaints. I like the geographic area etc. My company treats me fair, decent benefits, good management. I am a solid/commendable employee. However in 5 years I have done everything here that there is to do as an engineer and I don't want to be a manager. I guess I'm bored. I think another 5 years would drive me crazy. However, through our corporation's website I saw a job posting in a similar position at a different company a thousand miles away that is owned by the same corporation. My question: How do I approach this other company to even get more information or pursue this posting? Do I go about it like anyone else and contact them directly? Do I contact corporate HR to discuss and then spill the beans that I may be looking around? Do I promote the fact that I am in the same corporation already? One of my coworkers said that if it were a step up he would discuss it with the plant manager here without hesitation, but with a lateral position he didn't know what management here would say if it got back to them somehow that I was looking. Just curious if anyone else has experience with this sort of thing.





RE: Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
If I wanted to change job, whether a step up, lateral, or even step different career, the first step would be to contact my direct boss, and HR. Contacting the boss is a professional courtesy, and he/she may even be able to help you contact the other manager. Contacting HR is required because they have the forms and know the correct channel to use for a "in-house" transfer.
In your case, it is a different company under a common "holding corporation". I am guessing something like a Tyco (with a gazillion different companies under the Tyco umbrella). In this case, you definitely need to talk to HR because navigating to the other company may indeed be totally non-intuitive. HR would be able to best advise you on how to proceed.
With regards to how your company reacts to you wanting to change jobs - after 5 years on the same one, and doing well, I would assume most companies view it as a good thing. Your are progressing your career, and you have identitified a lateral move that will further round out your experience and expertise. Should be a plus in my book.
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RE: Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
Thanks a lot for the advice. It sounds reasonable to me. Yes, we are owned by a large publicly traded corporation that has a dozen or more companies throughout the different divisions. I'm sure there is a procedure for this type of situation. I think I'll talk to my boss about it this week.
Just curious. Does anyone else have any other comments?
Thanks.
RE: Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
RE: Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
If it turns out he does not cooperate at all, you might still be able to get the job at the other company, but chances are that your boss has better connections than you have and the plan may not work out. This differs from company to company and depends on who decides what and how closely the management and HR staffs of the different sites interact.
However even before mentioning the job at the other company, the best way to start is to first discuss your feelings and ambitions with your boss (if you have not done so) and see what options there are in the same company.
RE: Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
Thanks again.
RE: Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
RE: Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
One evening I was working late and my boss came and asked me if I had contacted another division about a job opening. He had heard about it from the HR manager who was asked for information about me from the other division's HR manager. I let it drop, but did think of filing complaints with corporate HR that their divisional HR managers where not following the rules.
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RE: Protocol for applying for job with different company, same corporation
That is why you tell your boss first. There are not secrets in a company.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?