Don't Blindly Accept Transfers
Your boss has made a big deal about meeting you. He has set up a
special meeting and seems so excited about the “opportunity”. He looks
you right in the eye and says sincerely “this will be great for your
career. We appreciate your doing this.” Congratulations, you’ve been
transferred. And you think "Wow!. I'm climbing the ladder" but
there’s only one problem...After the hoopla dies down, you realize it is
a lateral transfer that won’t advance your career at all.
The lesson here is simple: Don’t blindly accept transfers. Many of
these “opportunities” will actually benefit your employer a lot more
than they will benefit your career. You must examine every transfer with
the viewpoint of its significance to your career goals and its impact it
on your family and your life in general.
The next time your boss taps you for a transfer, get answers to these
questions:
Why will it be great for my career? Is it because…
- it is an opening?
- It is a new concept?
- it is a major leap in sales?
- Are being promoted from assistant to General Manager or from General
Manager to Supervisor, etc.?
Make them tell you why it is NOT just a lateral move.
Don’t just be swayed by more money, either. On most transfers, if you
have to physically move from where you live, you will lose money, not to
mention uprooting your family and their lives.
After you have all the information about the ‘whys’ of the move,
tell your boss you appreciate them choosing you and you’d like a day or
two to think about it. Don’t be pressured into making a decision on the
spot.
Always go to your significant other and see what he or she thinks
before making the decision. I have relocated 12 times in 15 years
and although most moves were promotions others were just laterals that did
nothing for me. It also placed an undue burden on my family. (both my son
and daughter attended 3 different high schools in the course of my
assignments, and it was tough)
Even if you’re not married or seeing anyone, you have to evaluate how
the transfer will affect your life outside work. Will you have to sell
your home, or get out of a lease on your apartment? Are you ready to be
away from family, friends, or other commitments such as sports teams,
social clubs, etc.? Even if the transfer is just across town, or within
driving distance, it can affect things like lease mileage on your car, the
amount you pay in car insurance, added gas costs that you may not have
budgeted for, and so on.
Many of these things can be dealt with in relation to your career
goals: If the opportunity for advancement is real, don’t let any of
these things stop you. But remember that ALL good companies will respect
your decision to turn down a transfer.
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