How do you go about telling your boss that you're looking for another job within the company (but different department)? My boss told me last yr I'd be getting promoted soon and a few months ago at our annual reviews said the same thing. Few people like him if you're not on his favorites list and everyone tells me to get out. I noticed over the past couple days on LinkedIn that I know 5 people who started on/after me in other depts who have been promoted almost 2x in that time span.

I don't want to burn a bridge since I told him I'm looking to promote within our dept. How do I tell him I'm looking because I'm not happy with my career aspirations? Do I just tell him I want a change (small lie) so as not to burn a bridge? I'd be going from sales to marketing.

I wouldn't say shit to your boss. Most job resources I know of say to avoid blabbing to your co-workers and boss about changing jobs. WHY? Because they can sabotage your plans to land a different job. I have made the mistake of telling my co-workers about my plans to move on from a shitty job and they really do try to stab you in the back due to jealousy and whatnot. "How DARE that person try to better themselves..."

Why are you sticking with the same company just a different department? I tried to switch departments and/or move up the ladder when I worked at Walmart and the store manager just ignored my request. He was a total dick of a boss. Problem is, now I have to explain to my future hiring manager why I quit/got fired from there without ripping into my bosses... During interviews, we are supposed to accentuate the positives of our previous job(s).

Keep your head up.

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I disagree with not telling him. Good things can come from telling him the truth, which is you are not happy with your current situation. One is he sees that you may move on and he wants you to stay which means you get the promotion you are looking for. Also if you try to get another job, who is a better reference than you current boss? When I was looking to change jobs I was upfront and honest with my boss and told her I was looking else where since I had not had a raise in a year. I told her I appreciated the opportunity and the job but I wanted more, we spoke at length and she ended up giving me a great reference and the best letter of recommendation I had ever seen. She was not bitter nor did she try to sabotage my next job. We left on such good terms she made it clear that if I ever needed the job let her know.

You want a promotion within your department that you feel you deserve, so plan a meeting with your boss and go get it. If there's no money at the moment, you can perhaps secure the new responsibilities of the promotion with a delayed pay raise. If your boss cannot offer you anything, ask if he minds if you look for opportunities in other departments. Since you've already shown your loyalty by talking to your boss first, (s)he cannot reasonably say no.

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