My supervisor is retiring and I would like to be considered for her role.

Anonymous

April 27,2022 at 10:27PM UTC

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My supervisor is retiring and I would like to be considered for her role. There are only two of us in the department now. How do I make the organization aware that I would like to pursue this opportunity?

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Monica Lynn SadlerApril 27,2022 at 11:00PM UTC
Good for you! Personally, I would formally submit an email to the proper contacts for the position (HR, your supervisor's boss, etc.). However, if you are comfortable speaking with your Supervisor's boss, you could do that also. But my recommendation is the first option. Praying you have much success. God bless you!
AnonymousApril 27,2022 at 11:24PM UTC
Share your interest with a stakeholder involved in replacing your supervisor. Be prepared to articulate why you should be considered for the role.
Barb HansenApril 28,2022 at 1:28AM UTC
How do you ask for the supervisor role?
You ask for the supervisor role.
:)
I would talk to the soon-to-be-retiring supervisor, if you are on good terms with them, and ask them what they think about you taking the job. If they are amenable, ask them if they would recommend you to your manager.
Tell your supervisor's manager that you want the job, and ask them if the job is being posted externally, and what's the best path for you to apply for the job. Follow up with an email to them, thanking them for their guidance etc.
Send an email to your HR person/partner with your resume attached explaining that you're applying for the upcoming Supervisor role and you want to know the steps required to apply for that role.
Good luck!
AnonymousApril 28,2022 at 2:02AM UTC
There are a number of approaches:
If you and your supervisor are on excellent terms, discuss this with her. If the company is happy with her leadership and she endorses you for her job, that’s a win-win.
Another approach is to ask your boss’s boss how the company views your departmeht’s work and what the company would like to see happen upon your boss’s retirement. This gives you the lay of the land and an opportunity to craft your application to the company’s needs.
AnonymousApril 30,2022 at 11:05PM UTC
If your supervisor has not left yet and you have a good rapport, tell her and ask her for advice in how she got her role and how she would recommend you to pursue the same. By you initiating the discussion of demonstrated interest, she can put in a good word for you in leadership to increase those chances for you. Often time before a leader retires, they are asked, is there anyone you think that can take over your role and responsibilities? So reach out if not done so already.