Employee applies for internal promotion and their egotisitcal boss finds out just before their annual review: ' Is it going to hurt my chances of getting promoted?'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Apr 4, 2025 5:00 AM EDT

You might hope that your boss would be supportive of your growth and development, this is an often overlooked part of leadership that falls to the wayside in lieu of things like "productivity" and "efficiency" and generally just pushing for totally unrealistic targets in order to make the company as much money as humanly possible. 

Gone are the days, in most industries and sectors where a supportive and caring leader might take you under their wing and guide you, propelling you forward in your career. For the most part, it's just an army of overworked, overtired, and burned-out middle managers who are coping as best they can with the weight and pressure that upper management is placing upon them. 

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  • 01

    "My manager was notified that I interviewed for another role right before my annual review"

    Well that pretty much sums it up. My company has this policy where they notify your manager if you interview for other internal positions. I saw a role that I was not only interested in, but that also pays significantly more than I am making now so I jumped on it and applied! And despite being underqualified, to my surprise, I got an interview! To be honest, I
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  • 02

    "Now, my concern is that since she knows that I interviewed for this other role, is it going to hurt my chances of getting promoted?"

    Cheezburger Image 10489935616
    via Toa Heftiba

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Either through being worn down over time or just not being a right fit for the position from the outset, some managers will turn toxic towards their subordinates, and instead of supporting them in things like internal promotions, they'll take it personally and do everything they can in their power to keep you under their command… Either driven by fear of losing yet more staff when there are still other vacancies on the team that were never filled or through sheer spite. 

    Sharing the fact that someone has applied for a role is never a good look, and when their organization informed their boss that they had applied for an internal promotion on another team, this worried employee turned to this online community for advice.

  • 03
    don't think the interview went very well and I haven't heard back yet, however if I were to and if it was a good enough offer I would jump on it. Here is my concern... My manager got notified that I interviewed for this role. Of course, this all happens right as we are going through our annual review process. I complete a
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  • 04
    review, my manager completes a review on me, and they use that information to decide who gets a raise/promotion/both. My review is in a few days and she lets me know that she received an email that I applied for another role and asked why. She proceeds to inform me that she is trying to get me a promotion and sees me growing with the department and blah blah blah. Now, my concern is that since she knows that I interviewed for this other role, is
    via littlerockstar555
  • 05
    it going to hurt my chances of getting promoted? Is there any way for me to communicate why I applied for another role without burning any bridges? A raise/promotion would be REALLY good since I haven't received on in 1.5 years and am currently making what is to my knowledge the minimum salary for this role, however I'm afraid I might compromise that opportunity if I say the wrong things.
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  • 06
    EDIT: I do want to add that I am in fact not happy in my current role and want to explore other opportunities either internally or elsewhere. I have been actively applying as I don't enjoy my job, and it is taking a toll on me mentally, emotionally and physically. I was going to mention to my manager that I applied to this internal position IF I thought
    via littlerockstar555
  • 07
    the interview went well or if I got a 2nd interview but since that is not the case I did not see the point in making her aware of me interviewing for a job that I was not guaranteed? ESPECIALLY if it would prevent me from getting a raise. Not sure if I was wrong in thinking that though...
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  • 08
    . Help_meToo · 3h ago Personally, I have informed my manager for any internal positions that I applied for along with a reason. They are going to find out anyway and if the hiring manager is interested they are going to reach out. Let your manager be prepared for that call.
    via littlerockstar555
  • 09
    If the position is a promotion or pays more, this could work to your favor. Your current manager will try harder to get you more if they want to keep you.
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  • 10
    storff76 3h ago • I would own it and almost put it back on her. Talk about how you are trying to grow your career as an associate and personally and how you felt the role you interviewed for while a stretch was a good way to do that. Tell her you're interested in growing within
    via littlerockstar555
  • 11
    the team as well. Ask how she intends to get you promoted, what the responsibilities, will be, and what kind of time frame she has for the promotion.
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  • 12
    Substantial_Data_... . 3h ago It could actually help your chances of getting promoted. It sounds like they want to keep you, and interviewing for another role shows you are looking to do more/change/grow.
    via littlerockstar555
  • 13
    URBadAtGames · 3h ago "Ya there's no way they give me that role but I wanted to go through the interview process to see where I stand and where I need to be to get there. I really like where I am and I know you have a future promotion and pay for me and that's where I want to be in the near future but I just wanted to see what it would take for me to get to that position in 3-5 years" that will shut her up
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  • 14
    Frejian 3h ago Don't all workplaces tell your manager if you applied for an internal role in the same company? I thought that was just SOP across all companies?
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  • 15
    Error262_USRnotf... . 3h ago if you are not a star employee, yes it would affect my review of you. If you are a star employee i would do what i could to pay and keep you, especially already knowing you didnt get the job (managers talk) and being aware you are looking. So choose your own adventure, where do you sit in the pecking order of usefulness?
    via littlerockstar555

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