Changing jobs when you are employed

Well, the time has come in my career, where I have decided to make another attempt on trying to change my job, when I am employed. The first time I tried was during my grad scheme in 2023, looking for a permanent contract with an external company. But this time (and now that I am ok with staying with my original company), I am trying to move around within the company, for some variety.

So here is my experience and learnings from applying for a job when you are employed. (As of writing this I have not heard back from my interview yet)

When do you tell your employer you’re changing

This depends on whether you are applying for an external or an internal contract.

External

If you have a good relationship with your manager, then feel free to let them know you are looking externally. Hopefully they are not surprised that you are looking and will support you. But they also can’t really stop you, so you can easily just wait to hand in your notice instead if you prefer.

Internal

Now here it can be a little sticky. I recommend you get clarity from trustworthy long-term employees in your company. (Preferably those who have moved around a little). But this is what I have learnt from my experience:

• If you are applying for a role that involves a promotion – It’s nice to let them know before you accept the role, so then they can prepare a counteroffer. In some cases, the team can offer you the money and title that you applied for and if you don’t mind staying, then it’s better to take their offer. This is one way of bending their arm into giving you what you originally wanted, but the stakes are higher since they have competition for your resource.
• Sometimes, they can’t provide a suitable counteroffer for you – That’s ok, you can respectfully decline them and accept your promotion in the new team.
• If you’re applying for a role in your same pay grade or lower– Then it’s in your favour to let them know BEFORE you apply (or as soon as you are invited to an interview). As the transfer for the role does not involve an increase in pay and/or job title for you.
• This is the opposite to earlier, as this time there isn’t a force against your old team, stopping them from blocking your move. If you are upfront from early days, it will reduce the chances of them possibly blocking your move due to spite (or for any other petty reason).

How to prepare for interviews when you are employed

Before I go further into this, I commend anyone who is doing more work after finishing the 9-5. The 4 weeks I spent preparing for my interview were not enjoyable. I’d finish work and go home, to log on to my personal laptop and do interview prep. Especially since my interview needed a presentation.

1. The more you prepare, the less scared you will feel during and after the interview (note: not before lol). So, make use of as much of the time you have to prepare.
2. Ask for help from someone you trust.
3. If it’s external and you know someone in the company, reach out and ask for tips.
4. If you don’t have anyone, that’s ok. There are plenty of resources on the internet.
5. If it’s internal, get those notes and tips. Especially if they have been through the internal interview process. They can give you insights that you might not have considered.
6. Take notes with you in the interview

This might sound crazy, but that’s what I did.

1. I took my CV, so I had a note of what they were aware of about me.
2. I took a word doc with examples of work that I have done, to help answer competency-based questions. They were done in the STAR format as prompts. I see it as, if they can look down at their papers for questions, then I can glance down at my notes to help me with my answers. (it’s an interview not my A-level exams)
3. I took a copy of my presentation with my notes on it. Which is where I wrote my speech.
4. I listened to a playlist that made me feel confident and make me smile. Because there’s nothing worse than walking into an interview, on the brink of throwing up from the nerves. So have one prepared.
5. And only if it’s possible, take the half day either before or after the interview. Because it sucks to be in work, when all your brain does is think about the interview.

Last bits and pieces around changing jobs when you are employed

This post was about changing jobs when you already have a job. So, one thing to remember when preparing for the interviews is that You already have a job in this situation. The person I asked for help told me this, and I repeated it every time my brain panicked. Whether it was before the interview or even now, as I worry for the results. I already have a job, so the stakes are lower than what they could be. If I fail this time, it’s not the end. There will always be other opportunities and experiences that will come later.

When asking for help, your manager might offer (depending on if/when you tell them that you are applying). I have known some to help their own employees move to better teams, because the management above them has been hostile. Take on the offer if you want that. My manager offered me help the day before my interview, which was 2 weeks after I told him I had secured the interview. I don’t know why he waited to offer, but it was ok, I knew if he brought new thoughts to my mind 24 hours before the interview I would have panicked more, but I appreciated the gesture.

Don’t switch off from your current job if you can. Try to find other ways t stay engaged, then it can still distract you as you wait for results or after getting bad news. Easier said than done, but still.

TL;DR

• No. 1 way to stop panicking, remember you already have a job right now, so the stakes are a little lower (they can still suck hence why I say ‘a little’)
• Telling your manager is time dependant, but leaving with minimal bad blood and pettiness, will always be better – but hey you do what works for you.
• Take in notes to help you with your interview, who says you can’t? It’s not an exam, it’s meant to be a discussion, and we can have notes for a discussion.
• Ask for help/assistance to prepare for the interview (sometimes managers are happy to help, but if not get a friend)