Do I Have to Tell My Boss What Type of New Job I Am Taking?

Tell everyone or just your close friends about your new job.
i Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Being offered the chance of a lifetime in a new job you've always wanted is news you might want to share with everyone you know. Excitement about your new venture could be hard to contain. Before you broadcast the news, consider why you want to share the news with your boss. The type of work you do, the circumstances of your departure and the relationship with your boss determine whether you keep the details of your new job close to the vest or share your enthusiasm with others.

Resignation

    Your resignation letter needn't contain information about your new job because the type of new job you're taking may be irrelevant. A resignation letter succinctly states your position and your last day of work. When you tender a resignation letter, you're extending the courtesy of simply letting your boss know that you decided to move. Informing your boss of the date on which your resignation becomes effective helps her recruit your replacement.

Noncompete Agreement

    If you are bound by a noncompete agreement with your current employer, disclose details about your new job to prevent potential claims that you violated the agreement. For example, if you're a sales representative for New York-based pharmaceutical firm, you may need to explain that your new job is in another field or that you are continuing your career in pharma sales, but in another territory where your current employer doesn't sell its products.

Relationship

    If you're fortunate to work for a boss who supports your career goals, or if you have a mentor-protege relationship with her, it's difficult to not tell your boss about your new job. In fact, you may have been keeping her abreast of your job search and now you want to share with her that you finally found the job that suits your career aspirations. In sharing the good news, you're conveying two important messages: that you're grateful for her support and that working for her aided in your professional development. On the other hand, telling your boss that you're leaving your job for a new one could spawn a welcome conversation about future opportunities that you may not have known existed with your current employer.

Envy

    When you decide to move on -- whether a lateral move into a similar job or a higher-level position than the one you're in -- your boss might not share your enthusiasm. She could be envious or just not be the kind of manager who encourages her employees to explore their capabilities. In this case, avoid talking to your boss about your new job, because doing so could make your last two weeks on the job miserable or unpleasant at best.

Contact

    Provided you didn't accept a new job that presents a conflict of interest, such as going to work for one of your current employer's clients, sharing the news with your boss could lead to a continued and mutually beneficial relationship. Talking about your new job could reveal future business opportunities. For example, if your new job is with a company that provides products or services your current employer needs, the move could be a positive one, resulting in your current employer becoming a future client.

the nest

×