How to Ask for a Job Transfer
95
Elements of a Job Transfer
© Patty Inglish 1995 - 2009; all rights reserved.
You may be considering a job transfer for any number of reasons. However, you may want to master your current job before moving onto something improved or different. There are several items to consider.
First of all, in learning your jobs well and becoming an expert in it, you become a value-added flexible employee. You can function better in more scenarios than less well-trained associates. Be learning new skills and cross training in other job titles in your own or other departments for your current employer, you can become invaluable and the company guru. Your employer will be coming to you for everyday miracles.
You may have a job transfer in mind for a particular position in another department or company position. First, consider which of these jobs with your current employer offers the largest potential for promotion and further growth. If the new job is more challenging, it can boost your morale. If you can make your current job more challenging, you may earn a raise along with a morale boost.
Look at your specific reasons for a transfer and ensure that they are good and they make sense. Up until the Dot.com era, it was a certified psychological mark of a personality disorder if an employee switched jobs more often than every two years. After that, the IT Industry made it usual for employees to change jobs every year to remain fresh and to bring new blood into information-based companies. Changing jobs more often than once a year is currently often a sign of some sort of problem, so it is prudent not to ask for transfers too often. You cannot job hop too frequently, even within your own company, because your current or a potential new boss will think that you are unstable and unproductive. Think carefully about transfers to ensure they match your long-term personal and employment goals. For example, in some transfers, you may go back to the starting level of salary and lose income and seniority, meaning shorter vacations your first year on the new job!
Reasons for a Job Transfer
- Bored? Not being challenged on the job? - If this is the case, demonstrate initiative and ask your boss for additional duties and responsibilities. You will be more challenged and may earn a raise!
- Not enough money? - Make sure to keep you Employment Portfolio up to date with your training and accomplishments well noted. Use this information to request a raise during your next performance review, or ask for a "sit down" with your boss to discuss the matter.
- Problem with coworkers or supervisor? - Work things out through channels before requesting a transfer, or the same problems could recur in a new department. However, if the problem is sexual harassment, a transfer is often the prescribed official remedy.
- Want a promotion? - Remember that transfers are often "later" in that they do not constitute promotions or include pay raises. Change solely for the sake of change can be seen as irresponsible on the job. However, one remedy is to join a Temporary Agency that offers fulltime benefits with a selection of changing job venues. Another possibility, for healthcare professionals, it to become a Travel Nurse or other traveling health professional. They even make more money because they travel.
- Want to work overseas? - That's great! You will need a sponsor made possible through your employer. Check out all the specifics - travel and work visas, passports, etc.
- Is your Spouse's employment moving to an area that your company has a location in? That can be a blessing. Employers will often work out transfers to accommodate you in this case. However, do not permit yourself to bully or be bullied into a move that is not right for you. You or your spouse can say, "No" and should be respected for it/
- Health Reasons - Do you need a warmer climate in a region to which you can transfer with your current employer? Talk to your boss and the Human Resources to make arrangements. Keeping you in a region that harms your health will cost your employers dollars as well as pangs of conscience.
- Education - Can you transfer to a place where a school is located you would like to attend? Discuss this with your employer. Often, there are branch campuses right in your own city that you are not aware of. How about distance learning? Many colleges, universities and vocational schools offer online classes and your employer may even pay for them or reimburse you if you earn a minimum grade level. However, if not, arrange a transfer through your boss and Human Resources if you can.
Whatever your reasons or motivations, the important thing top do it to communicate with your boss and Human resources regularly so that they can help you, they are not surprised by your request for transfer and the transition is as smooth as possible.
Formal Job Transfer Request
You will need to make a professional written request and justify your reasons for transfer in your letter.
- Begin with your specific purpose for writing - your transfer request.
- Highlight your abilities, accomplishments, and experience with this employer.
- Complement your employer and your boss as being top notch. Write about your commitment to the company.
- State specifically why you want to transfer and/or advance in the company
- As with your cover letter for your original position focus on what you can continue to do for the company:
Sample Transfer Request Letter
[HR Director or Supervisor Name]
[Company Name]
[Address]
[Date]
Dear [HR Director or Supervisor]:
The [department title] Department of [company name] is accepting applications for [job title] and I am submitting my resume for your consideration for a transfer to this new position.
I have worked for [company name] for [number] years, in the position of [job title], and have found a professional and efficient organization with good communications and one that is supportive of employees and their development. At this time, I want to continue to enhance my professional growth with your firm and move my career ahead.
My contribution to the company has thus far included the following achievements that can be used in the new position to good advantage:
A
B
C
D
These accomplishments and my increasing skills will bring further productivity and profits via this new position with the company. I look forward to continued growth within this company throughout my career.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to serving the company in new and ever expanding capacities.
Sincerely,
[Insert Signature Here]
[Type Name Here]
[Job Title/Department]
Related Resources
- Business Travel Part II
- Problems at Work?
Turning Problems into Opportunitites at Work - Business Travel Part I
- Travel Nursing
- Business Travel Part III
- Top 10 Ways to Earn Raises and Promotions
Business Writing
|
Business Letters for Busy People: Time-Saving, Ready-To-Use Letters for Any Occa
Current Bid: $.75
|
|
The McGraw-Hill Handbook of Business Letters, 4/e
Current Bid: $7.64
|
|
5" Custom Vinyl Letter Number Lettering for Window Boat Auto Yard Sign Business
Current Bid: $.85
|
|
500 Plain Business Mailing Letter Envelopes Box
Current Bid: $11.99
|
Business Letters
 | Amazon Price: $13.35 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $8.50 List Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.49 |
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (7)
- Funny
- Awesome (1)
- Beautiful (1)
- Interesting (3)
CommentsLoading...
Not only is this article informative for those of us out in the work force now, but I believe it's a window for those who are new into the work force. A Intelligent and realistic view on the way things are..Excellent!
Thank you both for the comments! I think the world of work can function in a productive manner and that this Hub can help people navigate the system better.
In one of my first jobs, I was offered a transfer (supervisor would not give a reason), but at a significant pay decrease. I declined, not knowing that my department was going to close down even though it was making quite a profit. My supervisor knew but would not tell me; he just offered me a pay cut and a tranfer "for no reason." I was surprised when the department was abolished. The transfer was still too far away, however. I am not the only worker for this to have happened to, though.
For 10 years, I could not find a job that offered health benefits, because there was a long-term trend in my area for employers to eliminate them by going to all temporary workers. Very bad, becuase quality in business suffered, as did employee morale. More people went on welfare. It didn't have to happen.
Thanks for your comments!
Giving a little information most companies would be able to keep their better employees. Great HUB Patty!
regards Zsuzsy
That's right Z! And it should nto take 40 years of trial and error to find this stuff out. I hope everyone readss this Hub. :)
Great Hub, and you have told it like it is. Employees and employers both are at fault at times.
Patty:
Nice information and very valuable. What happens if you are a High Potential employee on a fast track????
Interesting Hub Eileen.
Shemesh, sometimes fast-track employees are burned out very fast by their companies and end up quitting because of job burnout. If you want a tranfer as a fast-tracker, I say ask for it and see what happens. Explain your reasons well and management should be reasonable about it. Best wishes!
What if there are no contributions to the company and someone has a desire of transfer.
Sometimes that person should be transferred because he/she is unable to contribute to their present work site. If a case can be made that a transfer will likley result in better contribution to work, then a wise employer will make the transfer, imo.
Best Regards!
You have some great points here that will be beneficial to many!
Hi Patty,
This hub is so Informative,Thanks a lot for sharing this with us.
Can i back link this hub for my blog ?
Thanks
Sure, I think that's fine.
to Gooooo
:) cute answer.
Nice post.
What do you sat about the transfers which are not desirable
Being transfered somewhere or to some job that you don't like? Tell the company why you don't like it and explain that your work will suffer under such a transfer.
Sometimes a company has no choice but a transfer we might not like, and sometimes they offer an undesireable transfer in order to have the employee quit - that's not very ethical and few companies do it.
Nice, thanks for the good information. I'll remember you next time I have job-related questions!
Sure, any time. Whatever I cannot answer directly, I have resources and contacts that can do so!
Very well written, I enjoyed reading this article.
Very will written and packed full of great info. Thanks!
THATS REALLY GOOD STUFF.I M DOING MBA-HRM.PLZ,IF THEIR GOOD STUFF RELATED TO HRM E-MAIL ME.
I found exactly what i was looking for. this is realy a good information which guides the people who are looking out for job transfer
was searching for job site,read your job hubpage.Grea info
How to Ask for a Job Transfer
well written, I come on , welcome to my hub
We are publishing a book in financial english now and would kindly ask you for the permission of using your Job Transfer Request Letter Sample. Can you grant us this permission and on what conditions? Thank you. Our contact apply@fbe.org.ua
verry flexible
THANK YOU SO GOOD
the information provided is very helpful and informative and will surely helps people to take a correct decision in their employment.
Dear fellows,
Kindly I need your help
I have already asked for a transfer, but was told that if I had no reason to be unhappy with my current position that they were not going to release my resume to the office I would like to work at. It would be a lateral move and I made it known that since I had done my clinicals there I would like to be employed there is an opening came up. THe office manager refused, she said she would make some changes that I requested. What recourse do I have now? I don't necessarily want to burn bridges with this division but I do want this opportunity to be passed up.
@Frustrated:
Thanks for posting; this is an interesting development.
The Office Manager gave you a backward-thinking nonsense answer to your transfer request. Perhaps she 1) does not wat to lose a good employee (you) or 2) thinks that your transfer would put her in a bad light for a) having problems in the dept., or b) giving the impression of having problems in the dept. because you requested transfer. Possibility "3" is that there is a history of problems between the Office Manager and the supervisor of the dept. to which you want to transfer, resulting in a turf battle with you as pawn.
I hope you are documenting all of this in a log book that you can produce in future. If not, log everything to the best of your recall now. The next step is to request a meeting with her supervisor and make your request calmly, reassuring that person of your positive reasons for requesting the transfer for greater opportunities. Have a letter stating all of these things ready to hand to the person as you finish, making it a formal request and keep a copy of it with your log. Document everything. If this person hands the letter back to you, don't take it, but leave it lying on the desk.
If this meeting fails, then either move up the chain of command to the next person or visit HR, lay out your case and hand the HR person a copy of the formal letter as well. Stay positive and assure them that you respect the company and supervisors and feel that you should not be denied the opportunitites inherent to the transfer.
If this fails, the next step is a legal consultation, which may yield no results.
Let us know how this proceeds. All the best!
Great hub and information for those wanting a transfer. Rated up. :)
NIce hub, i have a job transfer
Thank you for the great tips. Certainly, I'll remember and use them if I ever need to ask for a job transfer.
Excellent Hub. Patty's Hubs really are fantastic. Rated up!
when transferring to a different position in the same company, can you ask the pay of the new position before you ask to transfer?
Like any other interview, the pay is the last thing to ask about. You don;t want to take a new position without considering the pay, but don't make that seem the most important point when you ask.
A great source of information. I will consider this method very soon. Great hub.
Awesome HUB. Thanks for the information.
this article simply talks in reality.
I didnt have any intentions of getting a transfer but after going through the options portrayed by you I think I should have 1.
Nice nad useful info.Well last time I asked for a job transfer because of money.
This was amazing, ok what if an entry level normal walmart employee wants to transfer to a diferent state? is that possible with an entry level job?
@Cody - Possibly; it depends on management opinions at your store and the other store. It should be doable. At the same time, you might apply for a promotion into the other store - like a higher paying job or a beginning manager's position. Get written recommendations form you current managers in any case. Best wishes!
This is right on target. Thanks for sharing. Great hub.
Wow thank you so much! So do you think time would be a factor? Because I just moved to Florida from Kentucky for school. And im about to start at walmart but in about 6 months I might have to move back to Ky for personal reasons. Will that short amount of time be to wishy woshy for a transfer?
I don't think 6 months would be a problem. My understanding is that WalMart employee turnover can be rather high anyway. Best of success to you!
Impressive!
So here is a scenario for you (my current one):
I wanted a transfer for both personal and professional reasons such as the ones highlighted above. I had a specific area in mind and networked myself until I found out who the big guy in charge was (we call them 'unit managers'; they run a large area within a state. His office luckily was based out of the location I would like to transfer to). I called him up and simply talked to him about any positions that are available, my career goals, some background, and my reasons for leaving my current location. He tells me that no positions are available but that he will keep me in mind... A little over a week later on a Thursday he calls me, tells me that one opened up and that I should follow the proper etiquette. Next day I request a, meeting with my one superior (this is friday) the other more direct boss is once vacation and returns sunday. We discuss my job hunting in this new area, why I'd like the transfer, who I spoke with, and that he contacted me with the job offer and that he would be calling them within the beginning of next week to get professional recommendations from them and to get the ball roaming if all is favorable. I walked away feeling confident in his approval. My other boss comes back from vacation and ironically is doing an employee performance audit/ review on me which is 99.9% A+ material on monday. He went over it with me I then notify him in the same manor I did with my other boss of my actions in an attempt to transfer and request his blessing, his favorable recommendation and ultimately his approval when/ if the unit manager calls. Again, confident all is o.k.
I called the unit manager up saturday after talking to my first boss and thank him for the thought, consideration, and courtesy of keeping me in mind and contacting me when this oppurtunity came up and that I look forward to hearing from him regarding his feedback and the necessary steps to continue in this process.
It is now wednesday after business hours and still no word from the unit manager or either of my superiors. I'm considering giving him another call to find something out but I don't want to be pushy. I've also, thought of asking my superiors if they have heard from him but I don't want to seem impatient/ desperate/ eager to not working with them anymore.
What do I do at this point? Advise please. Here is quick background; I'm a college graduate, who worked for this company for three years every break as seasonal. When I graduated I communicated with my superiors that I wanted to advance in the company to a more professional/ career role in which they displayed eagerness but none the less I clearly would have to pay my dues be patient and, earn it. I started seeking positions at this other location for many reasons but I set this area/ district as a personal goal. My entertains where to continue sd I have been and jump on the first opportunity that came up. This position is a foot in the door to more advancement and gaining a more professional role.
What should my next step be? I've thought even about writing a formal thank you letter.
The Thank You letter is a good idea. If after that you hear nothing by Tuesday morning, call the person to whom you sent the letter.
Thank you... I followed your advise and received a call he said that the process at his location is taking place and that when the position is officially available he will get in touch with both me and my bosses... I hope all goes through smoothly, I'm getting a little impatient and worried...
Heres one final question; Given the scenario I describe if something falls though and they either promote within their own branch or simply they decide to not fill the position for what ever reason, would I have burned a bridge or put me in a situation where I will be at a stand still?
I don't think so - you've made new friends by giving of yourself in interviews and surely impressed people. These contacts are valuable and now at a deeper leve.
Hi Matt, Patty
I am in a similar situation. I am requesting a transfer and should it not be successful (if they promote within their dept), then I would be back at square one with my dept.
I am worried that my boss will see my reasons for requesting to leave, as me being unhappy and that she will make it very difficult for me.
Hi Maria -
I think that is something to be confronted. Does your boss know you wantr the transfer? Have a discussion about your wanting to advance and how a tranfer can help you. Good luck!
Patty, thank you for the helpful article. I've worked for a professional services company for almost 2 years now, and am interested in transferring to an international role. I know there are positions open and that the firm is generally supportive of such moves, but am very hesitant to ask my manager because 1) my team is short of people and I don't think he'd like to lose me as a resource, 2) he brought me in 2 years ago and will be surprised / disappointed that I'm interested in leaving, and 3) while I'm well regarded, he is very senior and if he is not supportive, I could be next on the chopping block!
I wanted to ask you how to canvas my request to him to maximize the chances of gaining his support. Was thinking of being fairly deferential and saying something like, "I just wanted to chat about gaining international experience at the firm. I've really enjoyed working on our team in the US, but have always wanted to cultivate an international career. I've gained hugely valuable skills, which I think I could apply in an international role to help grow the firm. I haven't spoken with anyone else about this yet, and wanted to come to your first to get your guidance." Thoughts?
Thanks,
Jon
Ad some sort of timeline for him, such as 1 year, two years, 3 years, so he knows he can depend on you a little longer during a transition. Ask him what amount of time would be right for him before you transfer out. That and all you've proposed to say should do it for any reasonable boss.
Ad some sort of timeline for him, such as 1 year, two years, 3 years, so he knows he can depend on you a little longer during a transition. Ask him what amount of time would be right for him before you transfer out. That and all you've proposed to say should do it for any reasonable boss.
Thanks Patty. By timeline, do you mean years I'd like to work abroad or years I'd be willing to stay on in my current US position?
Best,
Jon
Years you would stay in your current US position. With good fortune, you might be given less time to remain here.
Any post available for task force
I am from Bangalore..I have just taken a lateral movement...I was into presales profile in my present company but moved to the technical side again as I like doing technical work.My salary was 70% fixed and 30% variable which I used to get quarterly.In the technical role there is no variable pay but I got some hike over my fixed .So in short I'll be facing loss of almost 2 to 2.5 Lakh INR .It is becoming difficult to accept that I'll be working at a lower salary and also my promotion was expected which I wont get because of this move.I am totally frustrated that how come I have done such a blunder in my life.I have screwed my career.Dont't know if it is going to pay in long run but right now I think of myself the most stupid person .I took the decision in very haste and initiated the transfer by myself.It was just one moment when I said yes I agree with the offer and I am screwed for lifetime.
We're sorry this happened to you and best wishes for the future.
Hi patty
I think we need proper reason for transfer otherwise they will reject it ..
Sometimes you need no reason at all, especially if a layoff is imminent.
MrMarmalade 4 years ago
great Hub
always considerable Knowledge