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Changing jobs/obtaining new jobs...etiquette?

post #1 of 16
3/7/07 at 3:21pm
Thread Starter 
I am in the process of interviewing for a new job in a new firm. For those of you that have done this in the past, at what point is it your responsibility to inform your current employer of you intention to leave? It is my feeling that if you are just testing the waters, then, obviously, don't tell anyone, but at this point I am more serious and am considering two firms that have submitted offers; I am in negotiation but haven't accepted anything.

I have had people tell me not to tell anyone until a new position is accepted, and perhaps more conscientious people tell me to make employers aware well ahead of time so they can prepare for your departure (I have significant resposibility at my current firm; this may or may not have anything to do with the situation).

Thoughts? What is my responsibility to my current employer?
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post #2 of 16
3/7/07 at 3:26pm
I don't think you need to give notice until you accept your new job. After you do, you should give two weeks notice of your departure at minimum. Four weeks or more is better.
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post #3 of 16
3/7/07 at 3:37pm
don't tell anyone until you are ready to give 2-4 weeks notice. try to give 4 weeks notice, if you possibly can. telling anyone before that is just a huge mistake.
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post #4 of 16
3/7/07 at 3:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter
don't tell anyone until you are ready to give 2-4 weeks notice. try to give 4 weeks notice, if you possibly can. telling anyone before that is just a huge mistake.

Yeah, the last time i switched jobs i made the HUGE mistake of telling my employers before i even started looking. I was young and foolish.

How do you get around listing references without potential employers calling your current employer, thus tipping them off?
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post #5 of 16
3/7/07 at 3:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by swisloc
I am in the process of interviewing for a new job in a new firm. For those of you that have done this in the past, at what point is it your responsibility to inform your current employer of you intention to leave? It is my feeling that if you are just testing the waters, then, obviously, don't tell anyone, but at this point I am more serious and am considering two firms that have submitted offers; I am in negotiation but haven't accepted anything. I have had people tell me not to tell anyone until a new position is accepted, and perhaps more conscientious people tell me to make employers aware well ahead of time so they can prepare for your departure (I have significant resposibility at my current firm; this may or may not have anything to do with the situation). Thoughts? What is my responsibility to my current employer?
I absolutely wouldn't say anything to your current employer until you have a firm offer in writing. If your prospective employer doesn't respect your need to provide your current employer with appropriate notice, that says something very bad about them, IMO.
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post #6 of 16
3/7/07 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by swisloc
Yeah, the last time i switched jobs i made the HUGE mistake of telling my employers before i even started looking. I was young and foolish. How do you get around listing references without potential employers calling your current employer, thus tipping them off?
Either don't list references at your current job, or list only colleagues you can confide in. Why would a potential employer want to sabotage you like that anyway? And why would you want to work for a company you suspect might do that?
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post #7 of 16
3/7/07 at 3:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by swisloc
Yeah, the last time i switched jobs i made the HUGE mistake of telling my employers before i even started looking. I was young and foolish.

How do you get around listing references without potential employers calling your current employer, thus tipping them off?


made the same mistake, a long time ago.

about references - put together a list of 5 or so killer references, on a chart that explains your relationship with each, and what they can say about your - for instance "bob, used to be my boss, can discribe my ability to get projects done on time and under budget as well as what it is like to be my boss". have a previous boss, a co-worker, a customer/external person who interfaces with you in your work enviroment, an educator and a person of responsible position who has known you for a long time - a local polititian/well regarded businessman/etc. this is a killer, it preempts any questions about your present employer. you say "I prepared a list of people you may want to talk to. at present, I have not yet given notice so I am not giving my present boss as a reference. of course, if, once you have made me an offer, you wish to verify any aspect of my Cv with my present employer, I would be happy to arrange that. "
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post #8 of 16
3/7/07 at 4:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quirk
I absolutely wouldn't say anything to your current employer until you have a firm offer in writing.

If your prospective employer doesn't respect your need to provide your current employer with appropriate notice, that says something very bad about them, IMO.

Agreed. The only reason i would list my current employer is they could elaborate on my most current and relavent experience if necessary. However, globetrotter's reccomendation on preparing reference sheets seems like it answers that problem. I'd never thought of a reference sheet being that elaborate, but that sounds like an excellent idea.

Also, i have never, in my field (architecture), seen a job offer issued in writing, unless e-mail counts. However, architects are notorious for being terrible at professional business etiquette.
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post #9 of 16
3/7/07 at 4:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter
made the same mistake, a long time ago. about references - put together a list of 5 or so killer references, on a chart that explains your relationship with each, and what they can say about your - for instance "bob, used to be my boss, can discribe my ability to get projects done on time and under budget as well as what it is like to be my boss". have a previous boss, a co-worker, a customer/external person who interfaces with you in your work enviroment, an educator and a person of responsible position who has known you for a long time - a local polititian/well regarded businessman/etc. this is a killer, it preempts any questions about your present employer. you say "I prepared a list of people you may want to talk to. at present, I have not yet given notice so I am not giving my present boss as a reference. of course, if, once you have made me an offer, you wish to verify any aspect of my Cv with my present employer, I would be happy to arrange that. "
Excellent. Or as Kenneth Pollock would say, "not the worst advice".
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post #10 of 16
2/1/12 at 6:06pm
Has anyone provided their current employer the opportunity to match an offer you had an ended up staying?
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post #11 of 16
2/2/12 at 7:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gort View Post

Has anyone provided their current employer the opportunity to match an offer you had an ended up staying?

I was offered a large pay bump by my director when he found out I was planning on leaving, but not as much as I'd make by moving. However the main reason for jumping ship was that I saw the writing on the wall for our NYC projects and knew I had to get out quickly.
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post #12 of 16
2/3/12 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by whiteslashasian View Post

I was offered a large pay bump by my director when he found out I was planning on leaving, but not as much as I'd make by moving. However the main reason for jumping ship was that I saw the writing on the wall for our NYC projects and knew I had to get out quickly.

I was told be a headhunter it's not unusual to get a counter-offer from your boss if they think you are quitting - but it's telling that something like 80% of people who take the pay bump still quit within a year.
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post #13 of 16
2/4/12 at 2:57pm
they will fire you at the drop of a hat, so I say extend the same courtesy to them.
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post #14 of 16
2/4/12 at 3:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FidelCashflow View Post

I was told be a headhunter it's not unusual to get a counter-offer from your boss if they think you are quitting - but it's telling that something like 80% of people who take the pay bump still quit within a year.

+1.
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post #15 of 16
2/4/12 at 3:33pm

Money has a weird, short-term sanitizing affect. It never seems to fix the root problem though, does it?

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