1

Switching Teams Internally

Profile picture
Software Engineer at Microsoft3 months ago

If you receive an offer from a different team, how do you communicate to your manager that you plan on moving to a new team / opportunity at Microsoft. What if you don't have the best relationship with them?

At Microsoft, the current manager does not need to approve team switch, regardless of whether it's a software role or not.

82
2

Discussion

(2 comments)
  • 1
    Profile picture
    Tech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
    3 months ago

    Frame the new team as a compelling opportunity, allowing you to work on technologies, projects, or people that would be difficult otherwise. It's better to talk about the attraction of what you're going to, instead of the negatives you're leaving behind.

  • 1
    Profile picture
    Tech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course Hero
    3 months ago

    Oh wow, I didn't know that your current EM doesn't need to approve of a team switch. That's pretty good as it allows engineers to escape toxic managers more easily.

    When you're leaving, your goal is simply to not burn bridges. You are heading to a (hopefully) better place, so there's no need to be mean and blow things up on your way out (i.e. just take the win and go). Communicate kindly, and if you don't like your manager, you may need to stretch the truth a little bit haha.

    Check out this related thread: "How can I gracefully leave my job?"

Microsoft is an American technology corporation which produces computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers. It developed the Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Microsoft is often credited for ushering in the modern PC era.
Microsoft48 questions