I’m currently in an IC role looking to move into another team (part of same larger team) in a manager role. How do I go about discussing the potential to move into this role? Should I directly talk to the hiring manager for that team or should I speak with my own manager and express interest in taking up that role? The situation is little weird as we all are in the same org/team. Looking for guidance from people who have been through similar situation. FWIW I would need to relocate in order to take up this new role and I am totally fine with that. #apple #google #facebook #faang
Is this the first time you will be showing interest in a leadership role or has this been part of your development plan? You should speak to your own manager first followed by the hiring manager. Also, be clear with yourself first as to why you want to take on a leadership role. Once you are clear about and going for it for the right reasons then just comp have that conversation with your manager
This will be the first time I will be showing interest in a leadership role. What if my current manager doesn’t show any interest in my career development or growth?
Doesn’t even seem like you have shown interest in your own Career development and growth so how can you blame your manager who’s never even known you have interest in Leadership. This is your first step to start showing intent of growing and moving into leadership. Hopefully you are doing it for the right reasons and if your manager can see that you are sincere and if he is a good manager who does right by their people in growing them then he will help you. You may or may not get this role but now it’s part of your development plan. If your manager is not supportive, you could still apply if you think you are fit for that role. It also helps having a informal conversation with the hiring manager to see if you are a good fit before you formally apply.
It would be better to speak to your manager first - having him/her at your side will help a lot. May even consider gradual transition into the new role.
If you’ve never shown interests in leadership role, I’ll take it that you have not been in a leadership role either. Sorry but I don’t see any HM in their right mind would take a gamble like that and put unproven IC in a management role.
As somebody that is not a manager but has been offered leadership roles as motivation to not quit, I can tell you some of the reasons it happens: proactive communication, leadership skills, negotiation skills It doesn’t seem your manager knows of your career aspirations so you don’t meet this. Is “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” a bullshit question to you? It shouldn’t be On leadership, do you take reins/ownership of something? A piece of the codebases/build, etc.? Do you do code reviews consistently and provide clear feedback? Lastly, it’s great to be excited about a role but temper your expectations. It’s possible your manager will think you aren’t ready. Being a good individual contributor isn’t enough preparation to be a manager
I totally agree, it depends on the manager. As long as the manager sets reasonable and tangible expectations I think it makes sense. It is frustrating when there’s no clear path defined and things are made to sound like they are impossible.
Look, imagine the hiring manager thinks “Oh I think xoolAid would make a fine manager on my team! But let me just double check with...” Who do you think they’d double check with? “... xoolAid’s manager! See what they think about the manageria potential in this fantastic person. And let me see how supportive they are.” So do you think your manager would give better feedback if they knew your intentions - and was already supportive - or if it took them by huge surprise? I’ll let you work backwards to figure out make sense to approach this, and in what order. If you get it right, you have hopes on being a manager and navigating the system :)
I thought about this but the problem is what if the other manager already has someone on his mind for that role. In that case I don’t even want to initiate this switch teams dialogue with my current manager. I am totally fine speaking with my manager first but if the other manager is considering other folks as well. Not sure what’s the correct course here.
It’s always good to keep high integrity. Talk with your manager about your interest in management and get their feedback. Don’t mention the other team yet. If they know this is the deal, you can then reach out to the other team - but also nice to tell your manager you do it. People hate surprises.