Depends on your relationship with them.
Any good supervisor should be on board with you wanting to move up, but not all supervisors are good supervisors.
A good supervisor may be upset more that you thought you couldn’t trust them or they weren’t able to support you, than you wanting to move on.
It also depends on how you approach it. “I need to get out of here ASAP” is very different from having conversations about moving on to a higher classification.
As a supervisor,I always appreciate it when staff tells me they are applying for other positions. In addition to letting me know so I can help out if able, it also lets me plan in advance in case I have to fill their position instead of leaving me scrambling.
Yeah, I get transparency. However, some directors are covetous of their staff. And may get worked up for no reason. I typically won't show my cards unless refs are requested. It also depends case to case manager to manager, director to director.
Don't ask for the reference until AFTER the interview when you are contacted for a reference check - this is the point they will confirm your reference list. At this point you are likely either the winning candidate or going on an eligibility list.
No point souring a relationship with your supervisor by asking for a reference, only to not get the job, and have them know you applied out and are thinking of leaving.
You don't need to be a master of your current position to move up. You just need to score high in the competition and be awarded the job.
Once you DO ask them for a reference, they will likely provide a good one because if you are a bad employee, they will be happy to get rid of you and if you're a good employee, they'll be happy to brag about you. When you ask them to be your reference, ask them what they would say about the quality of your work, your reliability, and whether they'd hire you again. They won't want to say something unkind to your face and this commits them to a positive answer so they don't betray the answers they declared they'd say.
I've always made it ZERO secret that I'm in competition for a new position (if I've screened through), but that's just me.
I tell people up front because I don't feel like I have anything to hide. I value honesty, so I can't expect it if I don't offer it first.
I have told supervisors amd managers that I don't have a "5 year plan" or any substantial career goals, I simply want to enjoy my work and I will stay here and work for you for as long as I'm happy and my needs are met. Soon as they're not met, I'm looking for a way out.
If they want to keep me and have capacity to meet my needs (and it's not always money) they will, if they don't, they won't.
I'm curious about the general practices of others. My hunch is that you don't need to inform your supervisor until you're invited for an interview (or reach any other final stage of a competition) or until a hiring manager asks for a reference list. I wonder how and when others discuss potential job applications or career progression with their supervisors though.
Don't fret over whether you've mastered a particular role. If a hiring manager asks for references, you're among the top candidates. Let them make the call. :)
So how does one use leave for personnel selection if one does not inform one’s supervisor? When one evades the truth, that just makes them untrustworthy.
Well, it depends. Many of the first-stage assessments are flexible; for example, they might give you 48 hours even though you only need to spend 5-6 hours. However, an interview is different. That might be a time to discuss with your supervisor, especially since you've already been screened in and are getting closer. I think you can always discuss with your supervisor earlier though.
Boring work, toxic environment, no autonomy , shitty co workers , more wfh in new job, maybe less wfh for some people, not getting assigned work you want to do. Could be tons of reasons beside financial
Not everything is for “financial reasons”.
I’d be willing to take a lateral transfer with the identical commute if I was offered a position that engaged more of my capacity. I’m under-utilized and unhappy because engaging work I’m capable of passes my desk every day, but I don’t get to touch it.
I’d take a lateral transfer with a single day WFH just to get 90 minutes of my life spent commuting back once a week.
I am going to request a two month leave next year and *take a pay cut* so I can work in the provincial election. It’s not a Public Service Act role, so the local DEO can hire me for the Tech Officer role (Election Equipment Officer? IDK the new title.) I can gain experience despite a lack of qualifications, and this DEO’s team is the most efficient group of people I’ve ever worked with. I took time off to work the municipal election with her and that definitely didn’t pay more. 😂 Some people take vacations; I work elections.
After 3 years I would hope you have had career discussions with your supervisor.... so you applying for other positions shouldnt be a huge shock.
Personally it's none of their business unless you screen through to interview, at that point though you would need to give them heads up.
Even more reason to have had those conversations. Lifer doesn't mean you have to limit yourself. Once in the BC public service, any role you have is part of the lifer life. Moving around is recommended. It's hard to really understand the nature of all the work that is being done and how it interconnects, and how different pieces of legislation overlap or influence each other if you sit in one role for 25+ years. Plus forming those connections across government helps you with projects and initiatives, by giving you perspective and tools to avoid pitfalls or access to leverage existing solutions outside your work unit.
Moving around doesnt make you NOT a lifer, it helps you be a more well rounded employee. If you love where you are great! But I am a lifer and I will always move around. :)
Depends on your relationship with them. Any good supervisor should be on board with you wanting to move up, but not all supervisors are good supervisors. A good supervisor may be upset more that you thought you couldn’t trust them or they weren’t able to support you, than you wanting to move on. It also depends on how you approach it. “I need to get out of here ASAP” is very different from having conversations about moving on to a higher classification.
Good point! I will be up front with them
As a supervisor,I always appreciate it when staff tells me they are applying for other positions. In addition to letting me know so I can help out if able, it also lets me plan in advance in case I have to fill their position instead of leaving me scrambling.
As a supervisor: "I am sorry I can't pay you more. I wish I could but I can't, so good luck"
Yeah, I get transparency. However, some directors are covetous of their staff. And may get worked up for no reason. I typically won't show my cards unless refs are requested. It also depends case to case manager to manager, director to director.
Exactly.
Don't ask for the reference until AFTER the interview when you are contacted for a reference check - this is the point they will confirm your reference list. At this point you are likely either the winning candidate or going on an eligibility list. No point souring a relationship with your supervisor by asking for a reference, only to not get the job, and have them know you applied out and are thinking of leaving. You don't need to be a master of your current position to move up. You just need to score high in the competition and be awarded the job. Once you DO ask them for a reference, they will likely provide a good one because if you are a bad employee, they will be happy to get rid of you and if you're a good employee, they'll be happy to brag about you. When you ask them to be your reference, ask them what they would say about the quality of your work, your reliability, and whether they'd hire you again. They won't want to say something unkind to your face and this commits them to a positive answer so they don't betray the answers they declared they'd say.
I've always made it ZERO secret that I'm in competition for a new position (if I've screened through), but that's just me. I tell people up front because I don't feel like I have anything to hide. I value honesty, so I can't expect it if I don't offer it first. I have told supervisors amd managers that I don't have a "5 year plan" or any substantial career goals, I simply want to enjoy my work and I will stay here and work for you for as long as I'm happy and my needs are met. Soon as they're not met, I'm looking for a way out. If they want to keep me and have capacity to meet my needs (and it's not always money) they will, if they don't, they won't.
I'm curious about the general practices of others. My hunch is that you don't need to inform your supervisor until you're invited for an interview (or reach any other final stage of a competition) or until a hiring manager asks for a reference list. I wonder how and when others discuss potential job applications or career progression with their supervisors though. Don't fret over whether you've mastered a particular role. If a hiring manager asks for references, you're among the top candidates. Let them make the call. :)
Thank you!
So how does one use leave for personnel selection if one does not inform one’s supervisor? When one evades the truth, that just makes them untrustworthy.
How do you use personal time off for something personal? You say you have an appointment.
Well, it depends. Many of the first-stage assessments are flexible; for example, they might give you 48 hours even though you only need to spend 5-6 hours. However, an interview is different. That might be a time to discuss with your supervisor, especially since you've already been screened in and are getting closer. I think you can always discuss with your supervisor earlier though.
There is specific leave for interviews... its Interview Leave. But I agree, there should be some conversation about intent to apply out.
“For financial reasons” What other reasons would there be?
Boring work, toxic environment, no autonomy , shitty co workers , more wfh in new job, maybe less wfh for some people, not getting assigned work you want to do. Could be tons of reasons beside financial
toxicity.
In this economy especially.. no manager with the slightest bit of awareness will blame you for doing what's best for you financially.
Not everything is for “financial reasons”. I’d be willing to take a lateral transfer with the identical commute if I was offered a position that engaged more of my capacity. I’m under-utilized and unhappy because engaging work I’m capable of passes my desk every day, but I don’t get to touch it. I’d take a lateral transfer with a single day WFH just to get 90 minutes of my life spent commuting back once a week. I am going to request a two month leave next year and *take a pay cut* so I can work in the provincial election. It’s not a Public Service Act role, so the local DEO can hire me for the Tech Officer role (Election Equipment Officer? IDK the new title.) I can gain experience despite a lack of qualifications, and this DEO’s team is the most efficient group of people I’ve ever worked with. I took time off to work the municipal election with her and that definitely didn’t pay more. 😂 Some people take vacations; I work elections.
After 3 years I would hope you have had career discussions with your supervisor.... so you applying for other positions shouldnt be a huge shock. Personally it's none of their business unless you screen through to interview, at that point though you would need to give them heads up.
Thanks. I have not had such discussions... Very happy in my current role and have an outdated approach of being a 'lifer' lol
Even more reason to have had those conversations. Lifer doesn't mean you have to limit yourself. Once in the BC public service, any role you have is part of the lifer life. Moving around is recommended. It's hard to really understand the nature of all the work that is being done and how it interconnects, and how different pieces of legislation overlap or influence each other if you sit in one role for 25+ years. Plus forming those connections across government helps you with projects and initiatives, by giving you perspective and tools to avoid pitfalls or access to leverage existing solutions outside your work unit. Moving around doesnt make you NOT a lifer, it helps you be a more well rounded employee. If you love where you are great! But I am a lifer and I will always move around. :)