Anyone have a good way to post a resume on a job site that doesn't include your current employer? I want to apply for jobs in the same industry and don't want a perspective employer to call my current one. Any suggestions?

9 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 26,2024 at 4:31PM UTC

   How is your work relationship with management? Do they have ANY idea if they know you are unhappy with your current role? I'm sort of in the same boat. I have made a profile on a job site, and am in the process of slowly adding to my online resume.

   It gives me the time to see what's available before I change everything. I also do the Indeed ads and spearhead new hires for the company I am at now. The only way they would know you are looking for a new job is if they run your name through a job-site search engine.

   If they did that, then perhaps it is time to change sooner rather than later.

2. AnonymousJune 26,2024 at 5:48PM UTC

   Why would they call your current employer? Unless you redact your name completely it's kind of easy to figure out where you work. Maybe a resume where you use only your initials and or a pseudonym for the search. When and if you get contacted (use a separate email for the search and a google voice number so that you can screen calls ahead) you can disclose your need to keep things private. No righteous employer would call your current employer while you are still employed there as that could cause you to lose your job.

3. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 26,2024 at 5:56PM UTC

   Why would someone be calling your current employer?

4. AnonymousJune 26,2024 at 6:09PM UTC

   They might know each other

5. AnonymousJune 26,2024 at 7:15PM UTC

   Advice depends on a few factors: on the job site, what industry you're in, and how toxic you think your senior leaders/HR team is (if current employers are looking).

   At the end of the day, if you want something new- post and look (otherwise you're trapped). Several job sites allow you to search for jobs (and click a feature so only recruiters can see that you're actively looking). I wouldn't suspect a recruiter or prospective employer to call your current employer (during the application phase). Most would only call in the reference phase which would happen later and you can steer them to recommend who to call. HR knows this happens and should stay quiet.

   The only caveat is if you are actively applying/talking to a company where their staff knows staff at your current company (perhaps a familiar name or face). You can write/ask for confidentiality. Most will abide by it. Some may not.

   -For example, I worked at company X. I wanted to leave to find growth opportunities. There was a great job at company Y, but one of the senior leaders there was good friends with the CEO of my current company- who didn't like me. In Year 1, I prioritized looking for other jobs and didn't risk applying. In Year 2, current work place was so toxic, I decided to roll the dice and apply anyhow. - this is a tale to trust your gut, take the chance, recognize the risk vs. reward, strategize if needs be, but don't be stuck - and build your network).

   Good luck.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 27,2024 at 4:48AM UTC

   As a recruiter with over 20 years experience recruiting at all levels, I have never done such a thing. It would be completely unethical and could get someone fired. I am, quite frankly, shocked to see someone admitting to doing this in 2024.

   It would also be against company policy for a hiring manager to do such a thing as it would a huge legal liability to not hire someone based on information obtained in such a way.

   Many companies no longer do reference checks - I haven't worked for a company in years that does them. We do employment verificarion - checking the dates you worked there and the title. And the candidate must give permission to check that info. There is a box they can check on the background check form if they don't want that particular employer contacted.

   And all of this happens if we make a candidate an offer and they accept. It doesn't happen when a jobseeker posts their resume.

   Depending on what you do/what industry or space you work in, your current employer can be one of the strongest parts of what makes you interesting to a potential new employer. If I'm specifically looking for someone working in the same industry or for a competitor or an adjactent industry and your current employer isn't on your resume, I would most likely not have a reason to reach out to you.

   Anyone who is doing what you suggested is acting in an unethical manner and leaving their company open to legal liability.

7. Jennifer SmithJune 27,2024 at 12:38PM UTC

   If you're concerned about confidentiality, you might consider using a generic description instead of the company name, like "Leading Food and Beverage Company" or "Top Fortune 500 Financial Firm." This provides context without revealing your current employer.

   Also, some job sites offer a confidential resume posting option that will hide your personal information and current employer details. 

   I hope this helps.. good luck!

8. AnonymousJune 27,2024 at 1:13PM UTC

   I’ve had someone do this during my search, and my current company was of course not happy and the new company I was totally not interested after they did this. Now that I am working in recruitment I would never put someone’s job in jeopardy and they still may not give them an offer.

9. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 27,2024 at 11:52PM UTC

   First off, I don't work in HR nor have I ever worked in HR. I work in Talent Acquisition.

   Second, this is absolutely unethical. Backdoor reference checking is not "networking". It can cost someone their job. Not cool, not cool at all.

   Please point out where, specifically, I said it doesn't exist.

   Clutching my pearls? I will always call out unethical behavior than can hurt jobseekers.

   That you don't think it's unethical - indeed you seem fine with this - says a lot more about you than it does about me.