I am currently putting an application for a job opening.

37 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 1:39PM UTC

   I think you could just say that your current employer doesn’t know you are job hunting. Many people have been in a similar situation.

2. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 2:03PM UTC

   That's really weird. It could be a red flag.

3. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 2:22PM UTC

   I would just tell them that you do not want to damage any relationships at your current employer in case it doesn't work out and that they can contact them if necessary if they decide to formally offer you the position.

4. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 2:32PM UTC

   I always say references and contacting of managers are after offer of employment

5. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 5:10PM UTC

   Give them the number for HR, not the name of your manager. 99% of HR departments will just confirm you work there with no feedback good or bad. Or, you could enter "confidential job search" to answer that question.

6. Eugene LeonardNovember 25,2023 at 5:32PM UTC

   say there was an NDA involved...(non-disclosure agreement)

7. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 8:06PM UTC

   Please explain how an NDA would come into play with them contacting her currently employer.

8. Eugene LeonardNovember 26,2023 at 10:25PM UTC

   'sorry, I can't talk about it...there's an NDA!'

9. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 5:32PM UTC

   what you write is:

   current employer, still employed DO NOT CONTACT (in bold)

   If you find that they have contacted your current employer and have that screenshot then you can sue...

10. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 6:33PM UTC

    I'd write that you prefer to discuss in person. That's what I did when I was job hunting after I was wrongfully terminated by my former employer for being disabled, even though I could still do the job. I eventually went on to become self-employed, which has been a much better fit for myself and my situation. My clients love me, and I love what I'm doing. I'm also a lot happier now, too. I currently make a little over 6x what I was when I was working an employer based job.

11. Bosslady387783November 26,2023 at 2:45PM UTC

    I do this as well..."can discuss during interview process"

    never had a problem.

12. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 7:29PM UTC

    Thank you all for your responses. Although I have seen in applications the question to ask for your supervisor's name and contact info, and a question of can we contact them, I find it odd to require answering a question, why not. Normally, I don't allow them to contact my current employer or give my references after an offer. I just found this odd and now makes me wonder about the company.

13. Tammy ZaneNovember 25,2023 at 9:21PM UTC

    You can say just that! That they would deter you from leaving or terminate you for even looking then you’ll be in a really bad position. Trust me there are companies with loyalty clauses still today crazy as it seems! They want loyalty but will fire us or shut down without any notice and it’s okay tho ?‍♀️

14. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 25,2023 at 11:01PM UTC

    This is wrong on so many levels, I almost don't even know where to begin. Personally, I would have exited the application immediately upon seeing the first question, nevermind the second.

    You know the saying "when someone tells you who they are, believe them"? That.

    Just by asking these questions, I know that's a company I don't want to work for. Well, maybe I would have given a snarky answer like "because I said so" or that's none of your business" before I exited.

    I'm not sure if the stupidity or the audacity of the questions get me more. Until they are far into the interview process and want to make you an offer, any references or employment verifications are none of their business.

    Also, typically if an answer is required, you can type something like xxxx and it will let you move to the next field. I would not recommend that in a case like this however unless you didn't care if they contacted your current employer. People have been fired when their employer found out they were looking. Which is the reason back-door reference checking is so not cool.

    Bullet dodged.

15. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 26,2023 at 7:30AM UTC

    I know what an NDA is. Your case is relatively unique. A typical business NDA is used to keep confidential any sensitive information of a business in order to prevent the theft of intellectual property.

16. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 11:28AM UTC

    You are working there- that's why.

    If you feel uncomfortable, don't apply.

17. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 1:13PM UTC

    Is happening to me in a couple of hiring process I am being part of. They are only asking why they fired me instead of what were my strengths or goals in those positions.

18. GirlBossanova934974November 26,2023 at 1:39PM UTC

    In my career, I have seen a few companies go around and do what is called "backdoor reference checking" aka contacting current employers WITHOUT permission of the applicant. In every single case, the company doing the checking had hired a group of some very very shady people who used all sorts of flowery language to justify their misdeeds. Run, do not walk way from such companies. SLEAZE Incorporated is not where you want to work. Quoting someone else on this thread, "NEVER give the rights to verify "CURRENT" company until you have a signed offer and are ready to walk out, that day."

19. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 2:37PM UTC

    Personally I think the whole process of contacting employers and calling references is a waste. No one is going to list someone who is going to give a bad reference. The hiring company should just do a background check. They can verify if the person is employed or not, and they're not wasting their time calling biased, or in some instances bogus, references. Honestly, use your judgement and instincts when hiring. Outside opinions shouldn't have the power to shape a hiring manager's decision.

20. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 3:16PM UTC

    You would be surprised by what well-meaning references let slip.

    I have been tilted off the fence of indecision in either direction by references. At least 2x I made a decision not to hire. One was very well meaning but pointed to character traits that would be a problem for my team. Another the guy hadn’t even asked for a reference or given the reference a heads up that I might call. It was the applicant’s current employer and he was not happy with the applicant’s performance . So as a hiring manager I find it valuable to call references.

    That said, I don’t think companies should require you provide a reference from a current employer. This is because it can hurt the applicant. Former supervisors should be sufficient.

21. AnonymousNovember 27,2023 at 12:16AM UTC

    I understand your point, however I just don't think that people should be granted that kind of power over someone's life or career. You never know what motivates people, and these comments that they let "slip" may very well be intentional. If you like a candidate, go with your own observations and gut feelings. Don't get a second opinion from a stranger.

22. AnonymousNovember 27,2023 at 3:59PM UTC

    I don’t rely on one person unless I already had concerns. In one case, there were a few points that concerned me and the reference feedback confirmed them. In the second case— when the manager didn’t even know he was a reference— a second reference also indicated the same issues. (In that case the candidate ignored policies and boundaries at two separate jobs, leading to problems. One thought he had developed professionally but the latter cited the same problematic behavior years later, so he hadn’t learned. Plus not even asking a person to be a reference and handing their contact info out was unacceptable). I know it can feel unfair, however in each case the candidate provided the names and contact info. As a hiring manager this is due diligence. References have also confirmed my positive instincts. Choose your references wisely. Ask them if they can provide a positive reference. They can also be from school or volunteer work or teammates. And always let them know if they might get a call from an employer. Send them your resume and the job description so they know what this employer is looking for.

23. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 2:50PM UTC

    I did that in all my job applications and I put the exact reason “ I am still employed there “! And it didn’t hurt me , they can contact them after they hire you

24. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 3:02PM UTC

    Just write in still currently employed by that organization and not sharing my job search. They should understand!

25. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 3:29PM UTC

    I dislike that they seem to force they issue but I would simply reply they are not aware of your search.

26. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 9:19PM UTC

    Nobody in my past should learn I’m looking for a job till and when they need to. I’m not giving carte Blanche for them to sit into my past or present in a way I can’t control. And if they contact your current employer before you resign they risk screwing you over for both positions.

27. AnonymousNovember 27,2023 at 2:05AM UTC

    I have given the reasoning of "Not until an offer has been made and accepted." I believe they will understand that you are applying confidentially.

28. AnonymousDecember 1,2023 at 11:08AM UTC

    Exactly!! And if they don't understand, RUN!!

29. AnonymousNovember 27,2023 at 12:29PM UTC

    Simple. I'm currently working for them.

30. AnonymousNovember 27,2023 at 2:43PM UTC

    I would write "I am currently employed there and my interviews with other employers must stay confidential."

31. Theresa OrtizNovember 28,2023 at 3:17PM UTC

    I agree with this response, but "still currently" is redundant. From a grammatical standpoint, I'd remove one. (I know, nit-picky)

32. AnonymousNovember 28,2023 at 1:34PM UTC

    As a recruiter, I understand if people do not want their current employer contacted during the interview process. You could write, "Currently still employed; will provide permission to contact for employment verification if an offer is agreed upon."

33. Damie WilsonNovember 28,2023 at 2:43PM UTC

    My response: Great question. Thank you for asking why. Can we discuss it during an interview in person? Keep it simple. Don't say "I don't want them to know." You write that, it's in writing. Don't put anything you don't want anyone to know in writing.

34. AnonymousNovember 28,2023 at 3:40PM UTC

    Just put that its your company policy or that your company is not able to provide a reference for current employees. That is a common policy for most employers.

35. Maggie StoneNovember 28,2023 at 7:42PM UTC

    I usually make it my practice to default to yes.
    I think nos send up red flags.
    Typically, they will only verify employment and check your other references. But I would be prepared to explain why you’re looking at the interview if you get 1.

36. AnonymousDecember 1,2023 at 11:05AM UTC

    If they call your employer and employer thinks you are leaving, that can end and new place can say no.

    Any DECENT hr department knows not to call. Bring current references.

37. adesanya quamNovember 28,2023 at 9:29PM UTC

    If a company actually needs your service they should learn from your personal experiences , not to do the same mistakes but in a situation where worker seeking for work are more that the available jobs , dont expect nothing but the worst. My dear run. Nigeria as a case study.