The latest workplace trend is hot. Instead of hiring new workers, employers reassign existing employees to take on new projects or jobs within the company on a temporary or permanent basis.
“I think so [quiet hiring] it’s a fantastic idea,” said Alex Salas, executive board member of the New York chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, a professional HR membership association. “One of the things I’ve heard is that people are bored at work. This is an expansion of jobs — they add new skills to work and are addressed once again.”
Pause and take stock
But what if you had a quiet hire and a role change wasn’t on your radar? East Village resident Melissa Swift, U.S. and Canadian transformation services leader at global consulting firm Mercer and author of “Work Here Now: Think Like a Human and Build a Powerhouse Workplace” (Wiley), advised taking some time to digest it.
“First, pause, breathe, and take stock,” he said. “Businesses, especially these days, are complicated animals. There’s probably a mix of positives and negatives that come with any change.”
Swift recommends talking to your boss to ask logistical questions about compensation, how long you’re expected to be in the role, who your manager is, and who’s on your team.
“A good first question might be, ‘Why did you choose me for this role?’ Swift said. “This will help them understand what the skill expectations are for the job. Another question that can help you understand a new role is, “What are some key differences between this role and my last?” Again, this shows that expectations are changing. Finally, you can ask, “What would it look like to be successful in this role?” “
Enjoy the glow
If the job change is unexpected, look at the big picture and take the opportunity to build new skills. Matt Mayberry, leadership and performance expert, former NFL player and author of “Culture Is the Way: How Leaders at Every Level Build an Organization for Speed, Impact and Excellence” (Wiley), believes in the bright side.
“The most effective coping strategy is to look at the situation positively,” he said. “You were considered the best candidate to fill the position and help the company. To have a thriving and prosperous career today, you must be committed to constantly developing and improving your skills.”
Additionally, talk to your boss about advancement opportunities.
“This is a perfect opportunity to talk to your manager about a promotion,” said Ashley Garriton, Recruiter at InnovateMR, a full-service sampling and technology research company, in Freehold, NJ. “They clearly see the value you bring to the team and the ability to take on new challenges and pivot when needed.”
Swift said it’s worth it to negotiate your fee, too.
“It might not be a full pay rise, but you can ask for a short-term performance-based bonus if the role is short-term, for example,” he said.
Retention is key for employers, so if they increase your salary or pay a cash bonus, it’s probably cheaper than filling the role externally in terms of time and money. “It’s a tight job market. If you can retain – instead of looking for new people – and retrain people, [quiet hiring] it’s a huge benefit for any employer,” Salas said.
Considering employers don’t want to lose you, you can make the most of the new role by finding new interests to pave the way for your next job.
Avoid draining energy
Abby Davisson, social innovation leader, career development expert and co-author of “Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Biggest Decisions” (HarperOne), believes in “power checks.”
“If you’re not sure what kind of tasks you enjoy, track which tasks energize you and which tasks drain your energy over the course of a week or several days,” she said. “If you dread a certain type of assignment, is there a way to negotiate your way out of that assignment into your new role?”
Davisson also recommends communicating with your supervisor about your preferences and setting aside 30 minutes each month to talk about your professional development. “Use this time to have direct conversations about the new skills and experiences you want to gain, and enlist your manager’s help in placing you appropriately,” she said.
Above all, taking advantage of this new role provides you with opportunities to gain new perspectives.
“Moving into a new role at the same company can be like filling in new pieces to a puzzle you’ve already worked on — the full picture really starts to emerge,” Swift said. “You have the opportunity to build deeper and fuller relationships, which is positive for both learning and overall happiness in the workplace.”
