Applying for a position with current job's main competitior

[Corporate Thug]

Ok, so there is a job opening with a competing firm that I want to apply for. I think I have a good shot at landing it. However, since its such a niche area, I would be surprised if the members of the new job didn't know my current boss (perhaps not friends, but at least as acquaintances).

Now, this leaves open the possibility of word traveling back to my current job that I expressed interest in the other job. Obviously, if I got the new gig, it wouldn't be much of an issue, but it might put me in a compromising permission if I don't land it.

Thoughts on how to proceed?

UPDATE: Couldn't get through on the phone but I was digging through my old emails and I founds an email from boss to other employer so they clearly know/work with each other.

I'm not gonna apply...oh well.

 

[Nik]

Did you sign an NDA? Read that first; it might disbar you from working for a competitor for a certain number of years.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Did you sign an NDA? Read that first; it might disbar you from working for a competitor for a certain number of years.

No, I'm in the legal industry (nothing technical). No NDA/Contract whatsoever.

 

[Spikesoldier]

you could disclose your interest to your boss.

doing this allows him a first-shot at an offer to keep you there if he holds you at any value in the organization.

 

[Corporate Thug]

you could disclose your interest to your boss.

doing this allows him a first-shot at an offer to keep you there if he holds you at any value in the organization.

This has happened in the past. Basically, current company wants to keep me but due to some unforeseen circumstances, they will soon be doing layoffs so they are not in a position to match pay or even increase pay at the moment. Therefore, bringing it to their attention wouldn't really achieve much.

 

[Nik]

This has happened in the past. Basically, current company wants to keep me but due to some unforeseen circumstances, they will soon be doing layoffs so they are not in a position to match pay or even increase pay at the moment. Therefore, bringing it to their attention wouldn't really achieve much.

Might actually shoot yourself in the foot by declaring that you're ready to jump ship near the same time they're looking to slim down the workforce.

Tread very carefully.

 

[mcmilljb]

Do you know any one at the competing firm that could you could inform of your interest without it getting back to your current firm? Could help you assess your chances of getting in there and without drawing too much attention to your current employers.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Might actually shoot yourself in the foot by declaring that you're ready to jump ship near the same time they're looking to slim down the workforce.

Tread very carefully.

Well, I know my job is safe (thankfully). Whatever effect it may have, if any, would likely be the same even if they weren't downsizing IMO. Regardless of that, it certainly will not be helping my stock.

My thought was to explain in my cover letter that we work with common clients and respectfully request that my inquiry be kept in the strictest confidence. Almost like a subliminal "hey don't f me over with this because we work with the same people" kind of thing.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Do you know any one at the competing firm that could you could inform of your interest without it getting back to your current firm? Could help you assess your chances of getting in there and without drawing too much attention to your current employers.

Nope. All hiring (and any employment related inquires) go straight to the managing partner. Again, I'm just speculating that they know other in some capacity (just a hunch) but I would be surprised if that they both work with the same client and don't know each other.

 

[Spikesoldier]

just apply for the new job. if you get it, you saved one of your old co-workers jobs.

 

[highland145]

I called the guy that would be handling my account (insurance related) and asked him where he stood with confidentiality. I had a 60 day wait for my state license approval, which wasn't guaranteed, and I wasn't going to take unnecessary risks with the current employer if he wasn't discreet. At the time, he didn't know me or who I was working for.

 

[vi edit]

While not an NDA does your current employer have any sort of a non-compete clause?

 

[Scotteq]

This has happened in the past. Basically, current company wants to keep me but due to some unforeseen circumstances, they will soon be doing layoffs so they are not in a position to match pay or even increase pay at the moment. Therefore, bringing it to their attention wouldn't really achieve much.

If they're cutting back and laying people off, you may be best served by bailing on your own terms rather than being put out on theirs.

 

[Scouzer]

While not an NDA does your current employer have any sort of a non-compete clause?

As he's a lawyer, I'm pretty sure he'd know

 

[highland145]

While not an NDA does your current employer have any sort of a non-compete clause?

Is that even legal anymore? My industry (consumer finance) used to try that crap but it doesn't fly because "you can't keep a person from working in their chosen profession" so said our courts. Intellectual property is a different matter.

 

[Texashiker]

Did you sign an NDA? Read that first; it might disbar you from working for a competitor for a certain number of years.

In certain states, even though you signed such an agreement, it might null and void by state law.

No contract can override state law. Depending on how the state labor laws are written, a non-competition agreement may not be worth the paper its written on.

Case in point is Kai – Fu Lee, who google hired from microsoft.

 

[SonnyDaze]

My son recently went through this. He applied for the same position with the main competitor in his field and was offered the position. When he informed his boss and gave his notice, his boss countered the offer to match what the competitor was offering and then some. He stayed with his current company and got a huge pay increase and a geographical move.

In your case with your company soon doing layoffs you might want to apply for the other position and hope for the best. You seem confident you may get it so what do you have to lose? Besides your current job which may already be in the works.

 

[Corporate Thug]

While not an NDA does your current employer have any sort of a non-compete clause?

I'm 100% sure there is no no-compete provisions (which is illegal in CA anyway).

 

[Nik]

In certain states, even though you signed such an agreement, it might null and void by state law.

No contract can override state law. Depending on how the state labor laws are written, a non-competition agreement may not be worth the paper its written on.

Case in point is Kai – Fu Lee, who google hired from microsoft.

It wouldn't matter to me. I signed something, I made a promise, I'm going to keep it no matter what state law says.

 

[Texashiker]

It wouldn't matter to me. I signed something, I made a promise, I'm going to keep it no matter what state law says.

If your married and have a family, maybe you should reconsider your above statement.

I made a promise to my family, that I would provide and take care of them. The promise I made to my family takes priority over a promise made to a faceless company.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

make sure you didnt sign a legal contract you weren't going to work for the competitor when you got your current job.

apply, interview, with job offer in hand inform your boss you have a job offer and it pays X amount and that he must match or exceed that amount in order for you to stay with him.

He will either do it, or not, in which case you come out on top either way.

 

[Corporate Thug]

so after much lamenting, I decided that I will call and ask for an assurance that my inquiry will be kept in confidence.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Update in OP. Glad I didn't apply.

 

[thepd7]

Update in OP. Glad I didn't apply.

Why? Do you really think your current boss will be upset (even if he did find out, which would be incredibly unprofessional of the company you are interested in)?

I can't imagine any boss would be mad about people exploring their options after finding out a bunch of people are getting laid off.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Why? Do you really think your current boss will be upset (even if he did find out, which would be incredibly unprofessional of the company you are interested in)?

I can't imagine any boss would be mad about people exploring their options after finding out a bunch of people are getting laid off.

I don't know what the reaction will be, but I don't imagine a pleasant one (esp since he has said my position is 100% safe). I'm reviewing the emails this morning at it looks like it was just a message forwarded by a mutual client from one company to another...makes me think maybe they aren't acquainted after all...