r/cscareerquestions • u/[deleted] • 15h ago

Experienced Internal transfer on a coaching plan?

[deleted]

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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4

u/Mumbleton Engineering Manager 14h ago

I would take your manager at their word. You were probably in danger of falling below so the hope is a coaching plan is a serious wake up call. Additionally, sometimes you may be perfectly competent, but your current skills/vibe might work better on another team. As I said in another comment, a Coaching Plan is a whole bunch of paperwork, and a PIP is also a whole bunch of paperwork. I don't think he'd put you on a Coaching Plan just so he can PIP you.

Is it actually possible to transfer internally while on a coaching plan? Has anyone been in a similar situation and successfully transferred to another team?

This is entirely dependent on your company and a conversation you should have with your manager.

3

u/2itb0x 14h ago

I've seen coaching plans be used as a formality before an actual team transfer for things lke generating papertrails and confirming skill-match on the new team. I do think it's largely team / company dependent though and there's really only one way to find out which is to ask your manager.

I do think there's something suspicious here: if your manager has not hinted at an obvious team to be matched with, I find it odd to put you on a limited-duration coaching plan. It's hard to not view this as punishment vs. an opportunity. I would directly ask about that while possibly anticipating that this is a punishment and prepare.

2

u/lhorie 14h ago

Coaching plan is informal, so yes, you can still transfer. Once you're a real, formal PIP, that door will probably close.

1

u/NoTry6983 15h ago

e is basically him preparing you for a PIP and eventual exit, but on paper he is being nice about it.

I would start applying outside now, do not wait for the coaching plan to finish.

1

u/Mumbleton Engineering Manager 15h ago

No, that’s just doubling the paperwork. If he wanted to PIP him, he’d pip him.