I have been waiting for months to transfer to a new job.

Anonymous

February 3,2024 at 5:02PM UTC

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I have been waiting for months to transfer to a new job. The job is with my same company and would be an internal transfer. I am very unhappy in my current role, and I need to leave it ASAP. Even though I am good at my job, I don't like what I'm doing and I have no job satisfaction. My role turned out to be different from what I was hired to do. I have a good relationship with my current manager. I went to him in October and told him I needed a change. He was very understanding, and helped me network to find a new job. My current manager and my soon to be new manager are old friends so that is how I got the new role. In November, the new manager told me he had upcoming work, but it would be after the first of the year because he was waiting on funding and for some contracts to be finalized. Fast forward, and now I am being told best case scenario it will be March, due to some contract issues. I don't know if I can wait that long, and I want to find something else. I don't know how to address this with my current manager. Will he think I am ungrateful? I would still like to have him as a reference and I don't want to burn any bridges. Should I be patient and wait it out?

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AnonymousFebruary 3,2024 at 7:23PM UTC
I suggest looking outside the company, but there is no need to mention anything to your current supervisor yet. I assume they haven't backfilled your current position yet, or is that the problem? If a better opportunity comes, you can address it with your supervisor when you give notice, indicating that you couldn't wait indefinitely as you need to move on with your career. It sounds like they are using the new position to "dangle a carrot" in front of you to keep you. You have your priorities, and they have theirs, and right now, they don't align. If the contract funds and you can start the new position before finding another job, you have gained some exposure in the marketplace. If the start gets pushed out again before a new opportunity comes along, you are one month ahead in your search.
AnonymousFebruary 3,2024 at 8:13PM UTC
I would agree with this approach, which I would describe as active waiting.
Another perspective is that March will be here before you know it. Between now and then might seem like an eternity if you are absolutely miserable in your current role. In addition to looking externally for a new opportunity, you might consider making sure that you find fulfillment and happiness outside of work. Full-time work occupies a lot of our waking hours, but if we make the extra effort, we can find time for non-work activities that lead to personal growth and development.
LeslieFebruary 3,2024 at 7:25PM UTC
yes you should be patient and wait it out. You’ve already used some relationship currency with your current manager and you don’t want to put the new manager in a bind who’s expecting you to come into their team.
find a way to make the wait worth it for the current manager: can you share information with whoever is replacing you; can you get your electronic work in order for transition; can you prepare for the new role - you get the point.
You know you are leaving, let your attitude and behavior be focused on leaving well and starting fresh.
AnonymousFebruary 3,2024 at 8:02PM UTC
I just waited a solid year to get transferred to a new department, because I was told it would take 4-6 months tops. I wish I had job searched more aggressively during the waiting period.
Things are only marginally better in the new position because, at the end of the day, it’s the same crappy organization.
Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachFebruary 3,2024 at 11:36PM UTC
March is only 27 days away. You can do this. Wait if you think it’s s good fit.
AnonymousFebruary 4,2024 at 2:36PM UTC
Be brave, do both . look for other opportunities out there while still waiting on this. There is nothing wrong with that and it does not mean you are ungrateful. Been there done that. When the time comes you will have clarity to make a final decision.