Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Hey everyone... a friend of mine brought this to my attention last week and frankly I couldn't give a good answer to him. I figured I would ask the masses here.


My buddy is thinking about looking for a new job. He wanted to send out his resume to a couple of places. But the one thing he fears is his current job finding out he is "interviewing" as it may be frowned upon.


If he sends out his resume to a company... and the resume lists his current place of employment. Do you think there is any possibility that the place he is interviewing will go behind is back and call his current job for references (without his consent).


Obviously if he wanted to take the job... references would have to be checked. But he doesn't want his current job getting a call from a company asking them why he is leaving.

He was thinking of removing the actual name of his current job from his resume... and putting something more general like "a major NYC bank", and in the cover letter explain why thats there. But don't you that would look extremely tacky.


LOL get my drift? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated... as I really don't know what to tell him.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

I do not think they will contact his company without his consent. He should be honest and say that "my current job does not know I am looking for something new"

It would be EXTREMELY unprofessional for them to contact his employer before he gives his notice.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

I don't think they would call his current employer unless they happened to know someone there. Otherwise, they'll just call the references. Unfortunately, it does happen, but I still would put the name of his current place. "A Major Bank" would look really shady IMO.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

I'd leave the name of his current job in the resume. I've never heard of the job prospect calling the current employer for references without asking first.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Yeah, I think it looks like you are hiding something if you leave out the name of the company.

I don't think it is customary to call a current employer for a reference.

The list of previous employers is really just to give an idea of te experience the candidate has.

The "refrences avaiable upon request" part is usually reffering the list of who the candidate is giving permission for the employer to call & most people don't include their current employer on that.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

If you post your resume on monster or careerbuilder, you can opt to not have your current employer name visable when searched. Most of the time, when you go to an interview and they ask for references, they will not contact your current employer if you tell them not to.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

they would never call- I don't think my current job ever called my old job

I am looking again- and not worried about that

employers understand that if you are currently working it's a sticky situation

I come right out and say I can only meet first thing in the AM or last thing of the day- they are very understanding- and it makes you seem more desirable

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Dh has gone through this with interviewing. Generally, the prospective employer will ask point blank, during the interview, if it is OK if they call his current employer. When he asked them not to, they just called his references.

I also wouldn't leave the name off of any job, IMO it looks fishy, or like he's hiding something

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Just wanted to add that I know plenty of people who have called a candidate's current employer when they knew someone who worked there. It may not be right, but it does happen.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

I wouldn't leave the name off his current employer. I've never heard of a company calling without specifically asking first. I think it's understood that interviewing is a confidential process.

One thing to keep in mind is not to post a resume on a careersite (Monters, Hotjobs, etc.). Our recruiter looks for specific skilll sets which brings up current employees as well. She emails the manager to inform them that their employee is looking for a job.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

I have never not put the name of the company I worked for while looking for a new job-- most of the time-- they know that your current job does not know that you are interviewing-- in fact I think it is special circumstances if you are openly looking. They would never call for references without consent-- and they need a candidate to provide their specific professional references-- if you do provide someone that you currently work with-- then, it is your responsibility to ask this person if they are ok with serving as a reference and they should be given a heads up they will be called-- generally, checking references is the last step in the hiring process. If this person will serve as a reference-- they should be professional enough to keep it to themselves that you are looking for a job.

I know people are afraid and it;s stressful to look for a job while you have another one-- but, you are ALLOWEd to do this...

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Posted by baghag

Posted by nrthshgrl

I wouldn't leave the name off his current employer. I've never heard of a company calling without specifically asking first. I think it's understood that interviewing is a confidential process.

One thing to keep in mind is not to post a resume on a careersite (Monters, Hotjobs, etc.). Our recruiter looks for specific skilll sets which brings up current employees as well. She emails the manager to inform them that their employee is looking for a job.

WOW

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Yep-you just never know, but hopefully you are dealing with professionals that won't do that.

I would keep the name of the firm on the resume. In tight industries they all know each other. But if you leave it off, it looks worse.

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

DH is concerned with this as well and for this reason does not want to conduct a "casual search" when it comes time to do so. it's all or nothing if he is going to initiate.

DH works for a major investment bank and has worked for others as well. it's a small world and he has many contacts. HR is there to handle the final formalities, but it is very common for the hiring managers to pick up a phone and call so-and-so who worked at a place where DH has been and ask for scoop on him. in his business it happens ALL THE TIME. to date it has always worked in his favor, but it could just as easily go the other way. that's why not "burning bridges" is so important. this being said, i would still keep the name on the resume. search with confidence!

me on the other hand, i make no bones about having my resume constantly updated and out there for people to search. i'm a job whore, throw some $$$ my way and i'll entertain the offer!

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Years ago while I was working in NYC, a friend got me an interview at her company (a huge NYC firm)--someone there at the 'firm' called someone they knew at my current job and told them I was there for an interview, and this idiot/co-worker went to my boss, closed the door and told him the 'story'...and I heard it all through the door---I didn't get the job, and I was shocked and p'od....it is a small world and who can you trust???

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Re: Job searching question for a friend - need some advice

Down here in NC I've learned that they always want your current employment info because they DO call before you are offered a position and sometimes before you even interview. I always thought that they didn't do it being I'm from NY, but unfortunately here they do!