Should I Tell My Employer That I’m Interviewing With Another Company?
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
I have an interview scheduled with a super prestigious company and maybe my current employer will find out. I don’t want to switch jobs, just want to experience that crazy hiring process. In my current occupation, I’m still in probation period, I’m wondering if I should tell my boss about my plans.
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“Should I tell my employer that I am interviewing with another company even though I don’t want to switch jobs,” is the question.
“I have an interview scheduled with a super prestigious company and maybe my current employer will find out. I don’t want to switch jobs; I just want to experience that crazy hiring process. In my current occupation, I’m still on a probationary period. I’m wondering if I should tell my boss about my plans.”
Now I am going to cover this in a couple of different ways but I just want to start by saying, “NO! Don’t go out there and tell them you’re curious about this super prestigious company and that they’ll find out. Let start off with, “the find out.” part of this.
What do you think is going to happen? There is going to be a billboard in your city saying, “so and so is interviewing with such and such company and is out looking for a job now.” How are they going to find out?
I will also say that, for most people, when they talk about, “I am curious,” that indicates they’re not happy so they’re starting to, “date other people (If you understand the metaphor).” It’s kind of like . . . “you’re married, I’m happily married, but just curious about that other person over there and have no interested in getting involved with them. But I am curious.” That’s how employers take it.
If you think that telling your boss is going to make it any easier, well, it’s like someone confessing to their wife, husband or partner that they’ve had an affair. “I’ve had an affair. I realize how terrible it was. I love only you.” You feel better because you assuaged any guilt that you have but now you’ve dump it off on them and you expect them to go, “I am so glad you told me about this!” It doesn’t quite work that way, does it?
It’s the same thing with your employer. You don’t go out there and vomit on them that you are curious about this firm, that you got recruited and you’re going on an interview. You feel better; they feel worse. Why would you want to do that?
I also want to come back to the point I made earlier. You are probably not happy with your new job and that’s really why you are listening. you say you are curious but I know from experience that if you are completely happy that phone call been responded to by saying, “I really am flattered by the call but not at this time. It is not my time to change jobs. I really like what I’m doing, etc. etc.”
So, my simple answer is don’t do it. You’re on probation. Why would you risk your probation even going on the interview? That’s really what you our doing, even if you tell them. His reaction or her reaction may be to say to you, “You know, get out now! Don’t pass, “Go.” Don’t let the door hit you in the rear. Just get out!” Is that really what you do?
You know, you’re cheating on them. You are saying things that like you’re committed to your current employer, but then you or dating other people.
So don’t do it. It is really that simple.
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I did find that helpful. Thank you Jeff.
Thanks for letting me know. I have a lot more videos on YouTube that you can access directly at JobSearchTV.com
Jeff, thanks a bunch dude. This was super helpful.
Thank you. That’s what I do!
This helped, I was seriously considering telling my boss that I was going on an interview because I felt guilty, but until I actually secure a new job, I should stay quiet.
Terrific! Glad to help and happy to hear that you were helped. Now, be great!
I’m interviewed at another job. The job I interviewed for is doing a background check on me and contacts my past and current employer. I have to pass the background check before they offer me a position. The possible new job just notified me that they will be calling my current employer in the next few days. I’m not sure I want the new job even if it is offered to me and I’m not sure I want to stay at my current job. I really don’t know. Each job offers pros and cons.what do I do?? One job offers good hourly pay and a small business environment. The new job is lower in pay by $4 an hour but offers, paid vacation, holiday pay, and health insurance. The current job does not offer those. I’m trying to figure what I should do. I like my current job if it only had benefits. But they are not going to offer benefits. Going down in pay makes me wonder how I will pay rent and bills. $4 less an hour is quite a bit in expensive California. What do I do??
There is no simple answer. You can tell the new employer that you are really interested in joining but need an increase in the base salary or hourly to do it.
@Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter I kind want to tell my current employer that he will be contacted soon but that bothers me too. The new employer is a County job so I don’t think they negotiate wage. They start you at the clarification rate. I’m between a rock and a hard place. Thank you for tour advice. It’s appreciated. Do I tell my current employer before he get the call?
@JobSearchTV I kind want to tell my current employer that he will be contacted soon but that bothers me too. The new employer is a County job so I don’t think they negotiate wage. They start you at the clarification rate. I’m between a rock and a hard place. Thank you for tour advice. It’s appreciated. Do I tell my current employer before he get the call?
@Cindy yes, let them know. You are right. Government jobs don’t negotiate
@Krystal yes, let them know. You are right. Government jobs don’t negotiate