Asking employer to keep application in confidence?

[Corporate Thug]

So I'm looking for a new position but I would like to keep in on the hush. Anyway, it is appropriate to throw a line in an email or cover letter asking the employer I am applying with to keep my resume in confidence?

 

[Alone]

Uh, well, what about references?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Uh, well, what about references?

in my experience, the employers who want references ask for in the application package. If the issue comes up, I would obviously use previous employers as refs instead.

 

[Alone]

You could certainly try that. I'm pretty sure the new potential employer would understand, as it's the common way of doing things.

 

[Mike Gayner]

I don't think you need to ask - confidentiality is expected anyway.

 

[gophins72]

I don't think you need to ask - confidentiality is expected anyway.

yeah dont put it in your cover letter

 

[IndyColtsFan]

So I'm looking for a new position but I would like to keep in on the hush. Anyway, it is appropriate to throw a line in an email or cover letter asking the employer I am applying with to keep my resume in confidence?

If you filled out an application as well, there should be a checkbox asking if it is OK to contact your current employer. Check NO.

 

[dmw16]

I think any HR department would understand your desire to keep it confidential. If you check the "NO" box mentioned above then you should be fine. No need to mention it in your cover letter. Too much talk of it could make them think you are hiding something.

 

[purbeast0]

why would the company you are applying for contact your current company? i've never ever heard of anything like that.

unless you provide them references. but usually at that point if they ask for references, that is when you tell them you don't want them to contact your current employer until after you landed the job.

 

[Jeeebus]

My current employer kept bugging me for the name of references/partners that I was directly working for, prior to extending me an offer. I had to make it fairly clear that was not going to happen.

My old firm would have fired me in a heartbeat if it knew I was out there looking for a new job.

 

[TwiceOver]

Happens all the time. Just make it clear that you don't want your current employer contacted.

 

[Corporate Thug]

If you filled out an application as well, there should be a checkbox asking if it is OK to contact your current employer. Check NO.

I wish there was any sort of app...just resume + cover letter for 99% of the jobs.