They Don't Teach Corporate in College (56 page)

You're at odds with your manager or a coworker, and you have been unable to resolve the situation.

You've discovered an opportunity to work in an area that will bring you closer to your big-picture career goals.

You're being recruited by a manager you would love to work for.

Think a lateral move is right for you? You should certainly go for it. Just keep in mind that, in order to learn about internal opportunities, you will have to do the legwork. You may get lucky and have a savvy manager approach you with a job offer, but in most cases you'll be on your own. Start by finding out if your company publicizes job openings to employees, and review the Website religiously. If you see a position that intrigues you, discreetly follow up with the hiring manager. While this process is in motion, keep the prospects coming in by networking with as many senior managers as you can.
Get to know them on a personal level, and ask them casually what they're doing in their groups. During these discussions, never criticize your current manager, department, or position. If a manager thinks you're a spoiled brat who's running away from a difficult work situation, he won't want to bring you on board. Phrase your inquiries positively and innocently—you just want to learn, remember?

Scouting out an appropriate opportunity to transfer internally is one thing, but actually making the transition happen is quite another. Here are a couple of tips that will help you. First, just because your organization is behind your decision 100 percent doesn't mean your boss will be. Whether you're pursuing a move through human resources or directly with another manager, keep the discussions under wraps until the transfer is close to being finalized. If your boss doesn't want to lose you and finds out what you're up to too early, she may subtly—or not so subtly—block your progress. Once it's time to ink the deal, make sure HR is in the loop so that everyone involved adheres to the agreed-upon transition plan. Don't depend on your old boss and your new boss to work it out among themselves. Your old boss may try to hold on to you as long as she can, and, next thing you know, you'll have a major territory war on your hands.

Also, avoid talking about the move to your colleagues before it's official, because you might compromise your reputation in the group if the job falls through. You'll also feel like an idiot. Look at it this way: If your team were going to the Super Bowl, you wouldn't talk about the victory parade until after the game, right? Same goes for your potential hot new job down the hall!

It's easiest to look for a new job while you're still employed. Makes sense, right? You're more attractive to hiring managers because you're free of the unemployment stigma. And because you're still receiving a steady paycheck, you come across as more discerning. Prospective employers know you're not desperate enough to take a job that's not a good fit.

Before you start talking to anyone about a new job, crystallize your big-picture goals so that you know exactly what you're looking for. Update your resume with all of your new skills and accomplishments. Next, explore the job-search outlets described in
Chapter 1
to get the ball rolling.

Ideally, you will want to do all of your job-searching research outside of business hours, but that sometimes isn't practical. Do what you need to do while on the clock—just be careful that you don't get caught! Surf discreetly. Don't blindly send your resume all over the Internet or respond to job postings without knowing where they're coming from. And if you can, register with career sites that allow you to protect your listing from your existing employer.

As far as your colleagues are concerned, it should be business as usual. Don't arouse suspicion by changing your patterns. Use sick days to go on interviews if you must, but try to stack up your appointments over a two-or three-day period so you can chalk your absence up to an actual illness. Similarly, if your company dresses in business casual attire, wearing a suit to work will send a clear signal that you're interviewing during your lunch hour. Change en route instead.

When making calls to potential employers, use a private office or conference room, and set up a separate email account for your job search. Remember that you are still receiving a paycheck from your current organization. Don't spend too much time job-searching when you should be working, and make sure you're producing on a regular basis. If anything, you should work harder than ever so that you can count on strong references down the road.

While we're on the subject of references, don't ask anyone from your current job to be one. Hopefully you have other options, because it's never a good idea to let people at your company know you're looking. Unless you want your whole office to know about your plans, don't tell a soul—even your closest colleague or your mentor.

As you interact with hiring managers and recruiters, be assertive about what you're looking for. Prospective employers prefer candidates who are in good standing with their current employers, so act as though you're happy at your job even if you're not. Your reason for leaving should always be a positive one. For example, you're looking for an opportunity to expand your skill set and take on new challenges.

If you get an offer, think through the logistics before agreeing on a start date. You still have a job and need to give two weeks' notice before departing for greener pastures. When you accept a new job, let your current boss know first, as a courtesy, and assure him that you will do everything you can to transition your responsibilities smoothly.

After law school, I took an associate position at a city firm. I'd been there about a month when I realized that the place was a total boy's club. All of the guys were 6 feet tall and blond, and the few women there fell all over themselves trying to get in good with the men. The senior lawyers had apparently never heard of an ambitious woman, and they were pretty vocal about putting me in my place. It was disgusting. I guess, technically, I could sue them, but it's not worth the time and effort. I'll just go somewhere that appreciates an associate who's willing to work her butt off.

Darcy, 26, Ohio

In a perfect world you would love your job to death and would only consider leaving for “good” reasons, such as the career opportunity of a lifetime or your spouse's relocation. But at some point in your early career, it's likely that a job won't work out the way you planned. For reasons beyond your control, you may find yourself in a bad work situation that mandates quitting sooner rather than later.

No matter what the trouble is, it's usually best to stick it out until you get something better and are able to jump right into another position. However, as I've talked about, finding new employment takes time. If your work is seriously compromising your mental or physical health and it's torture to go into the office every day, you might not want to wait. After all, no job is worth sacrificing your well-being. Here are some scenarios that may warrant leaving now and worrying about the consequences later.

You are being emotionally abused.
Is an individual at work unnecessarily unfair or cruel to you? Does she ridicule you in front of your colleagues? Does she regularly call you into her office to insult you or ream you out? Don't be fooled: Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse. If you feel your self-esteem taking a beating, get out of the situation.

You are being sexually harassed.
Has someone in your organization repeatedly approached you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable? Does he communicate in person or online in an inappropriate fashion? Has he subtly or overtly promised you advancement or perks in return for sexual favors? You should not grin and bear it, no matter how much of a big-shot your offender is.

You have been asked to compromise your integrity.
Is your boss or another authority figure asking you to lie, cheat, or steal? Do your assigned job responsibilities compromise your personal ethics? Don't allow yourself to be pressured into a situation that could ruin your career.

You don't feel safe coming to work.
Is your company located in a dangerous area? Are you afraid to walk to and from the office alone? Are the working conditions harmful or unsanitary? I don't care how much you're getting paid, your job should not jeopardize your health or security.