Talking to the Manager about additional work.

Anonymous

July 20,2023 at 1:43PM UTC

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Talking to the Manager about additional work. Someone on my team is leaving for a different organization. I want to take on specific projects my colleague was working on, as this would be an excellent opportunity for improvement and advancement. I am unsure how to approach this with my manager and boss. Who should I reach out to first? I want to let them know that I am capable of handling it and that I would like the opportunity, but I also want to have this conversation before someone else on my team ask for the same. Should this be a face-to-face conversation or an email? I am unsure of how even to bring it up

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Aysegul AltintasJuly 20,2023 at 2:19PM UTC
my advice would be to go for it. What have you got to lose? You should reach out to your manager and have a discussion face to face, if possible. If not, through video conference. As a manager, I would feel grateful that one of my team took initiative and asked for additional work. Try to explain why you think you could do a good job on these projects and also position the value you would bring to the company. You may not get the project(s) if there is already a plan in place but it will help your manager assign you other responsibility in the future when they know you are ready for stretching and developing yourself.
AnonymousJuly 20,2023 at 3:09PM UTC
I recently did something like this. I got time with the executive and sold what I could do and why it would work (it was outside the norm in our org) and they talked it over (HR/EXECS) and decided on a trial run to ensure I was not overwhelmed and could handle it. Well it worked, the change is now official. It can work - just talk to them as soon as possible. Good luck.
Barb HansenJuly 21,2023 at 4:25PM UTC
Someone early in my work career told me "ask for what you want, your hard work and talent isn't going to do that talking for you", and that piece of advice has worked wonders for me. So, talk to your manager about what you want, and have that conversation in person (or a Zoom call if you're remote)
If you work in the same office as your manager and you have the opportunity to run into them in the hallway or pop into their office:
Hey, Sally (Sally is your manager in this scenario) , I hear that Bob is leaving the team and I'd love to chat with you about me taking over some of his projects. Is now a good time to talk?"
If your manager is off-site or you work remotely, then send an email asking to set up a meeting.
Sally,
I hear that Bob is leaving the team. He was a great guy to work with and I learned a lot from him. I would like to find some time to talk with you about me taking over for Bob on <insert the projects/tasks that you want to work on>. Do you have time on Tuesday to talk with me about this transition?"
Then, when you get the in-person time to chat, tell your manager why you are the right fit for those projects/tasks. You know why you are the best person to take on that work, so write down the reasons ahead of time and bring those notes with you so you can refer to them during the meeting.
Put some thought into whether or not you'll be able to handle your current projects, if you'll need to off-load some of your work and what that off-load process would look like.
Having put some thought into the ramifications of you taking on different tasks in the team and how any impact to the team could be mitigated will be appreciated by your manager and make it easier on them to decide in your favor.
Good luck. Believe in yourself. You've got this!
Kimberley Ferretti HammettJuly 21,2023 at 6:18PM UTC
Don't wait for them to ask, let them know you are interested! Make a case as to how it is a win-win. Get it!
Rosa E HearnJuly 23,2023 at 12:55PM UTC
If your manager is in the office all the time, go up to them and say "May I speak to you for a moment". If they are not around because of business travel, customer meetings, etc...send an email. I have asked for raises and promotions via email because they are hardly around.
Then, you do exactly what's on your post, you ask. "I would like to take on project X & Y my co-worker was working on. I am capable and this would be a Great opportunity to help the company and to show you what I can do"
Then stop it there (if in person) or thank them for reading the email. Then wait. But do it ASAP.
AnonymousJuly 23,2023 at 4:49PM UTC
Face to face in a 1-1. Go in prepared and pretend you are interviewing for the role. If you prepare a few slides using the things you want to do and then compare them to what you do now and show them how you can do both it would be beneficial. Make sure you go in very professional but also letting them know you are a resource. The ones who ask for things get things. Go get it!
Clydene HorriganJuly 24,2023 at 3:51AM UTC
As an employee, I have done this with success. As a manager, I love when team members do this. Even if it doesn’t fit the current plan, these are conversations we have throughout the year and gives is more to think snout and work towards. If you’re not having these conversations with your manager, let this be the first of many.