Your Next Job Could Be With Your Current Employer

If you have been thinking about getting a new job, you are not alone.

According to current estimates, millions of American workers have quit their jobs in the first half of 2021, in what some observers have dubbed The Great Resignation. Before you begin to look for employment with another company, however, there is one option that you might want to pursue: internal mobility. Depending on your skills and career goals, your next job could be with your current employer.

In this post, we will look at several types of internal mobility, and how to begin looking for those opportunities. We will also explore some key things you can do to improve your chances of moving from one job to another at the same company.

Internal mobility is a rising trend

The social networking site LinkedIn identified internal mobility as a rising trend even before the Covid-19 pandemic appeared. Nearly two years later, that trend seems to be continuing unabated. With millions of workers slow to return to the workforce, and millions more quitting their jobs in search of new opportunities, many companies have increased their efforts to hire and promote from within.

For the companies that utilize this tactic to fill key positions, the benefits can include:

Cost savings, as these types of hires involve employees who are already familiar with the company, its mission, and vision. As a result, most lateral moves enable companies to save on onboarding training costs, while maximizing their existing investment in those employees.
Higher employee retention rates. According to LinkedIn Insights, companies that have high rates of internal hiring enjoy nearly double the retention rates of firms that fail to emphasize internal mobility.
Increased morale within the company since most employees enjoy working in an environment that offers a wide range of career advancement opportunities.
Improved engagement. When internal moves are accompanied by additional training and development, they can increase employees' investment in the company and its culture.

Options for moving from job to job within the same company

Many employees who are tired of their current jobs can benefit from taking on a new role at the same company. Often, though, employees only think in terms of upward mobility when they consider moving to a new role with a current employer. Fortunately, however, internal mobility can occur in a variety of ways, including:

Vertical mobility, in the form of a promotion. This type of job move typically involves being promoted to a new job level and taking on a supervisory or managerial role. Such moves often come with improved pay and benefits, as well as a host of new responsibilities.
Horizontal mobility, as employees move from one job to another that utilizes different skills sets. This type of move may not come with additional pay or benefits but may ensure that employees find their best fit within the company's overall workplace environment.
Horizontal mobility from department to department. If your current job is in sales but your true passion lies in marketing, a move to that department may help to reignite your passion for the company and your career. In like manner, your skills with finance may be more useful in your company's accounting department than in your current role in business development.

How to find your next job with your current employer

Before you can begin applying for a new job with your current employer, you will need to identify those opportunities. There are several ways to learn about available job openings in your company:

If your company has a bulletin board that is used for job postings, start there. You should also check any online listings.
Check to see if your company has a job posting subscriber list that you can sign up for on its website. If not, you may want to consider asking HR to add you to any email list they use for job opening notifications.
Talk to your supervisor and ask about potential openings. Be careful about how you approach the topic, however, since you do not want to give the impression that you are dissatisfied with your current job. Instead, focus on your desire to ensure that you add more value to the company.
If you have contacts outside of your department, ask them to notify you of any job openings they may come across. Your internal network can sometimes be your best source for information about new job opportunities.

Tips to help you improve your chances of landing a new job with your current employer

Never make the mistake of thinking that your current role in the company is in any way a guarantee that you can easily move to a new job with the same employer. You will still need to apply for that position and do your due diligence to beat out any competition for the role. The following tips can help:

Begin by checking your company's policies on internal mobility. Some companies have rules that require employees to be in a position for a certain length of time before they can switch jobs. It is always wise to know the rules before you begin the process.
Research the role. Before you apply, thoroughly research the skills and experience you need to successfully do the job. If possible, talk to anyone in the company who is doing that job, and learn as much as you can about which skills they use to fulfill their role. As you do that, take note of any areas in which you may need to improve your existing skill set.
Get your skills up to date. Chances are that you will have at least some transferable skills, but you may not meet all the requirements for the job. If you lack certain qualifications, make sure that you plug those skill gaps prior to applying for the role. If that means acquiring new certification, take the necessary classes.
Discuss everything with your current supervisor. Managers never appreciate learning about these types of moves from someone else.
Once you have confirmed your qualifications, update your resume. Tailor it to the job you want and adjust it to ensure that it aligns with the job description for your desired role. In short, treat this process as you would any other job search.
Submit your resume and application. You may also want to personally meet with the hiring manager and introduce yourself. If you take that route, bring a hard copy of your resume and application, and present it in person.
Prepare for the interview. Again, approach this meeting as you would any other job interview. Never cut corners or assume that your current employment status provides an advantage. In fact, you should go into the interview with the assumption that the hiring manager has even higher expectations for you.
Always follow up any interview with a thank you letter. It is the professional thing to do. And if you do get the job, do not forget those in the company who may have helped you in your efforts to chart a new career path. Find some way to show your appreciation.

Summary

If you find yourself spending an increasing amount of time thinking about a new career path, it may be worthwhile to consider a new job with your current employer before you look for new opportunities with other companies. These tips and recommendations can help you to locate open positions within your company, assess your qualifications for a new role, and approach your application the right way.

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