Safe to assume professionalism?

[Corporate Thug]

So I'm thinking about applying to a few positions. The new companies would be competitors to some extent with my current position (more accurately, the handle different needs for the same clients so they are not direct competitors per se). However, I would imagine that there is a possibility that people would know each other due to the overlap.

Is it safe to assume that they will respect my wishes to keep my inquiry confidential?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

So I'm thinking about applying to a few positions. The new companies would be competitors to some extent with my current position (more accurately, the handle different needs for the same clients so they are not direct competitors per se). However, I would imagine that there is a possibility that people would know each other due to the overlap.

Is it safe to assume that they will respect my wishes to keep my inquiry confidential?

Are you serious?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Are you serious?

Informative response...thanks.

 

[Tweak155]

It's just a bad assumption. Why not play it safe?

 

[Corporate Thug]

It's just a bad assumption. Why not play it safe?

What can I do other than make to request to keep it confidential???

 

[lxskllr]

What can I do other than make to request to keep it confidential???

Nothing. You have to put your faith in people, and I don't like putting my faith in people. Just make sure you're serious about changing. No point in taking the risk for idle curiosity.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Nothing. You have to put your faith in people, and I don't like putting my faith in people. Just make sure you're serious about changing. No point in taking the risk for idle curiosity.

Yup, if the opportunity was not so appetizing, I really wouldn't consider taking the chance.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Corporate drones would sell you out for an extra bathroom break. Do you really think there are ANY managers mid level and up who have a shred of professionalism? If so, I've never experienced any.

 

[unokitty]

What can I do other than make to request to keep it confidential???

The only way I know of doing this is to either first approach the other firm in person on neutral ground or have a trusted third party make an inquiry.

For example, if there is a professional association meeting, you could introduce yourself before or after the meeting. Or a conference/lecture where you could arrange a meeting. For example, if one of the members of the other firm was making a presentation at a local university, you could go and talk to them afterwards.

Another method would be to have someone you don't work with that knows people from the other firm make an inquiry for you.

Its a really sticky wicket. I've seen job offers get pulled because the candidate said that they weren't applying for other jobs but my institution later found out that they lied about that... Boom, job offer withdrawn.

Once you commit an application to writing, I don't know of any sure way to keep it confidential.

Best of luck,
Uno