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Job Application question... "May we contact your current employer?"

This is just my opinoin, i have no idea. but i would think that the only reason they would contact your current employer is if they were actually interested in hiring you. I'm not saying that means you would be guaranteed an offer. But at the same time, how bad would it look for your current employer to know that you are looking/
 
Hell no, just put no. I put yes once and they contacted my current boss. That was followed by at least a month of eveybody at work looking at me funny. I ended up declining the offer which made it ever worse. My boss had a 2 hour chat with me on why I wanted to leave....
Guess what, I'm about to go through the same thing over again
 
Originally posted by: Ready
Hell no, just put no. I put yes once and they contacted my current boss. That was followed by at least a month of eveybody at work looking at me funny. I ended up declining the offer which made it ever worse. My boss had a 2 hour chat with me on why I wanted to leave....
Guess what, I'm about to go through the same thing over again

F that i'm putting NO... i'm doing a great job at work... getting promoted soon, but i'm not happy with my line of work and my boss is the type of person who stresses a lot so the last thing i want is a boss who knows i want to leave while i'm working for him with no job offer
 
Originally posted by: CrystalBay
Originally posted by: Ranger X
I'm interested in this too.

Also, for desired salary, is it bad to put "Negotiable"?



I always put "open" for salary as in open for discussion.
Never discuss money until a job offer is on the table.

 
my 2 cents as a person that has been on a hriing team a few times now:

i can say that applications that have come across my desk, imeediately when i see "dont contact current employer" means you are looking secretly, meaning you aren't faithful. Whats to say you wouldnt do the same thing to me? Thus it goes in the "maybe" (thats if the rest of the app looks interesting of course)

If i see "negotiable" on an app it IMMEDIATLY goes into the NO pile. If you read the job description, decided to apply, you should know what you think you are worth and if you see yourself working at my company you would put down a salary tht could put you there. If its under we've been known to bump it up after the interview, if its over we usually add in perks to try and satisfy the needs of the applicant. Either way though putting that "negotiable" or "open" bullshit just means your unsure about what you want and obvously dont really see yourself working there.
 
Well, if negotiable is a deal breaker then I'd just as soon not work for you. Chances are it's a low paying position most people wouldn't want. Whoever mentions salary first loses. In response to the salary question my response is along the lines of "In consideration of my education and experience, I would hope you will make an offer that matches my background". Interviewers have access to your salary history, ballpark is not a mystery. I've also been on the hiring side of the table a number of times, I do not in any way view negotiable as a deal breaker.

It's similarly unfair to require someone to allow contact with their current employer. A good strategy is to offer a reference from your current position. A company that deals with such issues negatively sounds like a bad political environment.
 
As someone who does hiring as well, I can tell you that if you do put no, I will ask why, if an interview is done. But it doesn't automatically mean no. Just be honest. For example, I had someone who was working for a competitor, and it was completely understandable. If it is because you feel that if you aren't able to take on this position, you might face unprofessional ramifications, state that. Be honest and polite and prepared to answer "Why not?" and you will be just fine.

PS - Worst answer I ever got was, "because I'm about to be fired"
 
Originally posted by: Drakkon
my 2 cents as a person that has been on a hriing team a few times now:

i can say that applications that have come across my desk, imeediately when i see "dont contact current employer" means you are looking secretly, meaning you aren't faithful. Whats to say you wouldnt do the same thing to me? Thus it goes in the "maybe" (thats if the rest of the app looks interesting of course)

If i see "negotiable" on an app it IMMEDIATLY goes into the NO pile. If you read the job description, decided to apply, you should know what you think you are worth and if you see yourself working at my company you would put down a salary tht could put you there. If its under we've been known to bump it up after the interview, if its over we usually add in perks to try and satisfy the needs of the applicant. Either way though putting that "negotiable" or "open" bullshit just means your unsure about what you want and obvously dont really see yourself working there.

are you an HR guy from 1950? "aren't faithful", you must be joking. companies are not faithful, why should employees be. how are you ever supposed to get a new and better job if you don't look while already employed? quit first because it's the "honorable" thing to do?

the best way to get less salary than you deserve is to make the first offer in the negotiation. if the job is worth 60 and you put 45 on the app, guess what, you just screwed yourself.
 
If you put no, the employer might think you're trying to hide something. I do interviews everyone once in a while with my boss and help him filter through apps. When I see something like that, I usually put it in the no file.
 
Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
If you put no, the employer might think you're trying to hide something. I do interviews everyone once in a while with my boss and help him filter through apps. When I see something like that, I usually put it in the no file.

i think that's unfair because like others have mentioned... what if you call the candidate's boss who says nice things about him... but u still end up not hiring him? now the candidate could be screwed b/c his boss knows he wants to leave
 
Originally posted by: jinduy
Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
If you put no, the employer might think you're trying to hide something. I do interviews everyone once in a while with my boss and help him filter through apps. When I see something like that, I usually put it in the no file.

i think that's unfair because like others have mentioned... what if you call the candidate's boss who says nice things about him... but u still end up not hiring him? now the candidate could be screwed b/c his boss knows he wants to leave

thats why i say is doesn't auto put you in a no pile, it just puts you in the more of a maybe category, cause its a really unreassuring thing to look at an app and see someone doesnt want you to contact their current employer. I would like to see you put yes but put in your cover letter WHY you are seeking a better position and would like to further discuss the situation and how you would be better utilized at THIS company in the interview.

and in responce to earlier comment...if the job is WORTH 60 why are you putting down 45? If the job is worth 60 who is it worth 60 to? How many years have you put in vs the person that would earn 60 in that position? and if its worth 60 then why not put down 70? you should be putting down a number you would be happy at that position with...if youd be happy at 45 doing your job then shoot for it, if you find yourself in a position where you can earn more you can negotiate for more...every person i hired got more than their asking price during negotiations (including myself)...its not like that number screws you over and sticks you at whatever you say.
 
I've always put Yes on those questions. If you have a good relationship with your boss and your company I don't see why it should be a concern. And like the other poster said, if you put "No" just be honest and say you think your current employer might react unfairly if they think you're looking for a new job.

I think most hiring managers can appreciate the honesty in that. They've been there before too ya know. 🙂

Plus, it shows your current employer that you are in demand and a valuable employee if another company wants you.
 
Originally posted by: jinduy
Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
If you put no, the employer might think you're trying to hide something. I do interviews everyone once in a while with my boss and help him filter through apps. When I see something like that, I usually put it in the no file.

i think that's unfair because like others have mentioned... what if you call the candidate's boss who says nice things about him... but u still end up not hiring him? now the candidate could be screwed b/c his boss knows he wants to leave

Unfortunately, that's the way it works. We almost never call the previous or current employer. We mainly look at their track record for staying on the job and previous positions. I don't think i've ever heard of any supervisors or managers calling current employers up. But like Drakkon said, putting no in the check box could put you in the maybe file instead of the yes file.
 
Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
Originally posted by: jinduy
Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
If you put no, the employer might think you're trying to hide something. I do interviews everyone once in a while with my boss and help him filter through apps. When I see something like that, I usually put it in the no file.

i think that's unfair because like others have mentioned... what if you call the candidate's boss who says nice things about him... but u still end up not hiring him? now the candidate could be screwed b/c his boss knows he wants to leave

Unfortunately, that's the way it works. We almost never call the previous or current employer. We mainly look at their track record for staying on the job and previous positions. I don't think i've ever heard of any supervisors or managers calling current employers up. But like Drakkon said, putting no in the check box could put you in the maybe file instead of the yes file.

fair enough.

question

do you ever call the employer (boss or whoever) only to end up not hiring the candidate?
 
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