Is it fair if my company stops me from taking another job because they need me in another area?

[Johnnyjay]

I want to apply for a new role within my company. It's a change of scenery, a pay increase and the ability to work from a home office. I am familiar with 90% of the role without even having to be trained. I'm already set up to work for the company, I know the system and I think I'd be really good fit for the role. I am also in good to great standing. The role is marked as an urgent hire. I have applied about 4 times for different postings and have not heard anything. When I applied for my job now, I didn't even finish the application and they were calling me the next day to see if I was interested. I literally think I'm a perfect candidate for the role. The only thing it seems to be is that if I left my role now it just creates another job that needs to be filled. I don't think that is really fair though. I don't think I should be held back from advancing and making more money because of that. Is this common? Is this fair? Is it appropriate to reach out to the recruiter and let them know I want the job?

[Anonymous]

It's not uncommon for companies to prioritize internal mobility and retain talented employees by blocking them from leaving for other positions. However, it's important for the company to balance their needs with the career aspirations and goals of their employees.

It's appropriate for you to reach out to the recruiter and express your interest in the new role. You can explain why you believe you're a good fit for the position and highlight your experience and skills. It's possible that the company may have concerns about filling your current role and may need more time to find a replacement, but it's important to have an open and honest conversation to understand the situation.

Ultimately, it's up to the company to decide whether to offer you the new role or not. If they do not offer it to you, you can ask for feedback on why you were not selected and what you can do to improve your chances in the future. You can also consider other opportunities outside of the company if you feel like your career goals are not being met.

[WindAtMyBack]

It's fair. And it's reasonably common. You already stated the reason why, because it means leaving your current position.

In general, it's easier to move up and get higher pay by going to a new company. It's often possible to move up in your current company, but it's usually easier and faster to do it by going to a new company.