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KMG1 · 05-21-2012, 01:37 PM

And I'm a nervous wreck. It's for an Underwriting position and I think I have a decent shot considering the fact the company loves to promote from within and I have a good track record with them and I also have a lot of transferable skills. I'm nervous because I have never networked with anyone from that Dept and I'm not sure where to start (should I email? IM? Lunch?). I also don't have experience. What should I do? Would it be okay to email some of them? Ugh this is making me so anxious, please help.

manderly6 · 05-21-2012, 01:42 PM

Does you boss know about this and can they help you? Perhaps they have connections in that department.

I wouldn't just start emailing or trying to do lunch with people from that group at this point.

thebunny · 05-21-2012, 04:50 PM

Treat it like you would any other job. You wouldn't email people who may be coworkers at a company you didn't already work for, so you don't do it in this situation. I know it seems weird, but you are not part of that department...don;t make it look like you are ready to jump to the new department before anything is settled. That keeps either department from thinking you were anxious to get rid of the first one. This matters either way but it REALLY matters if for some reason you don't get the job, or decide not to take it, and are working with your current group. If they think that you were anxious to get away from them, that could really damage work morale and the work experience for you!

KMG1 · 05-21-2012, 05:13 PM

So I should just apply and not try to get some insight or advice from any of the seniors? I haven't told my boss yet, I'm not sure if I would even say anything to him about it, at least not until an interview is secured.

thebunny · 05-21-2012, 05:21 PM

I wouldn't get advice. People are funny and work relationships can be messed up easily. Lay low, behave like you would if you were applying to another company. If you know anyone who is no longer with the company in that department, ask them. But talking to people in the other department is a little like using your current employer as a reference...damaging to relationships.

I would, however, mention it to your boss BEFORE the company hiring process gets to him. What I mean by this is that in every internal promotion, someone at sometime is going to ask the applicant's direct report. If he is surprised by this conversation it could damage your working relationship with him as well as your chances. So, if they solicit recommendations at the interview, etc...ask before that. If there is no policy, talk to him ASAP. He wil find out before you tell him you are going to another department, I can guarantee that.

KMG1 · 05-21-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebunny

I wouldn't get advice. People are funny and work relationships can be messed up easily. Lay low, behave like you would if you were applying to another company. If you know anyone who is no longer with the company in that department, ask them. But talking to people in the other department is a little like using your current employer as a reference...damaging to relationships.

I would, however, mention it to your boss BEFORE the company hiring process gets to him. What I mean by this is that in every internal promotion, someone at sometime is going to ask the applicant's direct report. If he is surprised by this conversation it could damage your working relationship with him as well as your chances. So, if they solicit recommendations at the interview, etc...ask before that. If there is no policy, talk to him ASAP. He wil find out before you tell him you are going to another department, I can guarantee that.

Thanks so much for the for the info. Guess I'll be on Linked In and Glassdoor for a while.