How to apply for an internal opening? (employees, applying, interview)

[jobseeker2013]

I have been in my position almost 2 years. I see an opening within the company. How should I approach my boss and is it too soon? My boss has indicated in the past I should look at growth opportunities within the company

[Mr_Geek]

2 years is not too soon but read your company's policy. My company allows you to apply internally after 18 months at your current position.

Do you have to tell your boss at this point? At my company I don't talk to my boss unless I complete an interview and feel it went well.

[Hemlock140]

Here you only have to pass 6 month probation before applying for Internal openings. Most people just apply, it would be rare to tell your supervisor, and is not required. The manager/supervisor may only find out when they get a call from the hiring manager asking to discuss the start date. I just had one of my staff apply (and get interviewed) for a promotion to another group, and he did let me know ahead of time.

[joe from dayton]

No need to tell your boss right now. Tell HR you want the application to remain confidential unless you are a finalist for the position.

[Xanathos]

When I was younger, I once took a contract position with a cruise line as a data communications specialist (basically ensuring satcom was operational, on-board networking, etc.). It sounded really glamorous on paper - hanging out on a cruise ship for days at a time, work hard/play hard, all that. In reality, the work was hot, cramped, smelly, super high pressure, and any semblance of glamor was lost in the fact that you basically had to take a puddle jumper to some small airstrip to catch the ship at a port, and after you got done "working hard" in servant's quarters type conditions, and were ready to take a day or two to "play hard", you had to catch another puddle jumper from an airstrip to go somewhere else. The only employees I interacted with during the 2 weeks I tolerated that job (aside from the captain) were the ones from 3rd world countries that were thrilled to be making anything, and for whom the crappy accommodations didn't seem so bad.

[charlygal]

Most companies have a formal procedure to apply for internal positions. Look those up. No need to tell your boss unless required by company policy.

[jribe]

as others have stated; what is your company policy? Mine is 12 months in position (unless same dept); we can't answer what your company policy is; nor what their norm would be.

Are you asking what we feel is acceptable amount of time in a position before applying out? That would depend on if you have related experience.. if you have related experience i would say 1 year; if you were new and they gave you a shot i would say 2 years seems fair.