Thank you all for your replies! Turns out I got a promotion (yay!) but after this there isn't much more room for me to grow in the company. He is looking out for me and I am greatful. I will update my CV and apply to any good opening in my field.

My boss and I have had this conversation, it's weird, but he's totally supportive. In fact he asked for a junior staffer of ours for his resume for an opening in one of our member companies (we're a smallish trade association).

I'm their lobbyist and he knows I won't be here forever, and he can't pay me much more than I currently make.

In fact, he's offered to be my reference if it's between me and somebody else.

It's creepy, but pretty genuine. Believe me, I'm like everyone else and think I'm about to get fired. In fact, funny story, I had to perform a webinar, totally outside my comfort zone and area of expertise. Our comms guys really screwed it up (not me) and he was visibly pissed.

I went out to lunch with him, our HR person and the other person that I know he's used to witness previous firings right after (yeah, we've shit-canned people before, so there's precedent). I thought I was getting axed right then and there.

I felt like Maury from Goodfellas...more like Fredo, he knew it was coming, Maury never did...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opening in other company is for a "senior" position. He told me I should always keep my options open. What does this mean? Should I start looking for another job ASAP?

I'm assuming you and your boss have a good relationship, yes?

If so, boss is encouraging you to grow.


If not, boss wants you out.

Yes, if it were negative, I would have hoped your boss had been explicit as to why. My money is on he thinks you are better than what you can achieve in your current company.

+1

Could be any number of things, but definitely apply.

Some possibilities:

Negative:

-Your boss wants to get rid of you

Sort of mixed:
-Your boss knows that, for some reason unrelated to your performance, you are unlikely to be treated well or fairly in the long run

Positive:
-Your boss truly thinks the position at the other firm would be good for you
-Your boss is already planning to jump to the other firm and wants you to be there too

It's a shame that no reason was given, but I can imagine situations where the boss would not feel that passing along the other info would be appropriate. But I think you should ask your boss anyway, just to see what the answer is.

Am in a government agency with limited promotion opportunities. When I hear of good opportunities in industry that I think would be a good fit for a more junior candidate, i recommend them.

In this case, definitely a compliment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opening in other company is for a "senior" position. He told me I should always keep my options open. What does this mean? Should I start looking for another job ASAP?

I'm assuming you and your boss have a good relationship, yes?

If so, boss is encouraging you to grow.


If not, boss wants you out.

+1 At the first company I worked at after college I had a few different bosses. The last one and I became very good friends and she knew that I wanted to do something different. When she heard a client was looking for someone and thought it would be a good fit, she recommended me because it was a great opportunity for me. Her boss wasn't happy that she did that since I was a top performer but she's continued to be an important mentor for me over the past 20 years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opening in other company is for a "senior" position. He told me I should always keep my options open. What does this mean? Should I start looking for another job ASAP?

I'm assuming you and your boss have a good relationship, yes?

If so, boss is encouraging you to grow.


If not, boss wants you out.

Yes, if it were negative, I would have hoped your boss had been explicit as to why. My money is on he thinks you are better than what you can achieve in your current company.

Anonymous wrote:Opening in other company is for a "senior" position. He told me I should always keep my options open. What does this mean? Should I start looking for another job ASAP?

I'm assuming you and your boss have a good relationship, yes?

If so, boss is encouraging you to grow.


If not, boss wants you out.

Anonymous wrote:Your boss thinks you are better than your current position and is looking out for you. Trying to help you move up the ladder. It's definitely a compliment.

+1. Which country?

Your boss thinks you are better than your current position and is looking out for you. Trying to help you move up the ladder. It's definitely a compliment.

Is it an Executive position?

Yes, start looking. We've done this recently and it's with the hope that we can avoid laying the person off. Very awkward, I know, but be glad you have a heads up.

Why is "senior" in quotes? Is it not a role that is above your current level?

I would assume he's telling you that you will not be promoted at your current org.

Anonymous wrote:Opening in other company is for a "senior" position. He told me I should always keep my options open. What does this mean? Should I start looking for another job ASAP?

Yup. He is privy to information and you should take heed.

Opening in other company is for a "senior" position. He told me I should always keep my options open. What does this mean? Should I start looking for another job ASAP?