New Employer wants to call Existing

[martincymru]

Scenario:

Potential Employer, before formal offer, wants to speak to my boss.
My boss would be horrified 'cos for sure he wants me to stay. I also do not want to upset our good relationship. It's a small company.

How would you deal with this?

[rajagainstthemachine]

talk to your current boss first.. Tell him you wish to leave because of furthering your career, monetarily or otherwise.
If you have a good relationship with your current boss its wise not to burn bridges. Once you have settled it amicably then I don't forsee a problem.
Maybe its just a matter of courage and choosing the right setting to talk to him?

[Beeroclock]

Well, my view a bit different to raj........ In your situation, I would only apply a new position on strictly private basis, referees to be provided on request. I would make clear to potential employer that any breach of this confidentiality, including attempt to contact current employer, then consider the application immediately withdrawn. I think this is quite normal/reasonable request for the obvious reason you mentioned and most recruiting employers should respect this. If they don't then personally I'd be very reluctant to go there anyway.

[rajagainstthemachine]

what beeroclock said is a good option as well.. but in the end you are the best judge of the situation you are in.
I have a similar predicament only its an internal movement within the company and I'm not sure how my boss will react to it. He'll just explode in a fit of rage if I say I need an internal change

[Wd40]

It depends on how much risk you are willing to take. If you are prepared for the worst case scenario, then by all means go ahead and tell your boss.

Kind of wierd though, this is the 1st time, I have come across a situation like this. If I were you, I would wonder, why the hell does he want to speak to my boss? Does is not trust me? If he doesnt trust me, why should I trust him?

[x9200]

Well, my view a bit different to raj........ In your situation, I would only apply a new position on strictly private basis, referees to be provided on request. I would make clear to potential employer that any breach of this confidentiality, including attempt to contact current employer, then consider the application immediately withdrawn. I think this is quite normal/reasonable request for the obvious reason you mentioned and most recruiting employers should respect this. If they don't then personally I'd be very reluctant to go there anyway.

+1.
Very strange and unreasonable request. A clear warning sign if you refuse and they still insist.

[PNGMK]

Scenario:

Potential Employer, before formal offer, wants to speak to my boss.
My boss would be horrified 'cos for sure he wants me to stay. I also do not want to upset our good relationship. It's a small company.

How would you deal with this?

I'd withdraw the application. This sounds extremely unprofessional.

[Sergei82]

I was working in South Korea - all employers there asked that - my and other people's experience. Sucks, yes.

[noskich]

What did you do in South Korea?

[bro75]

That is an unusual request. You want your application to be confidential until you are hired officially. So I would say no , unless the potential offer is really really much better than your current position.

[Sergei82]

What did you do in South Korea?

Same as here. IT. Large companies. HR is tasked to make calls and ask your current manager would he recommend you to do your job. So most people are tearing their asses apart to buddy up with managers (or traditional Korean style - crawl under his feet which suppose to flatter him).

[noskich]

What did you do in South Korea?

Same as here. IT. Large companies. HR is tasked to make calls and ask your current manager would he recommend you to do your job. So most people are tearing their asses apart to buddy up with managers (or traditional Korean style - crawl under his feet which suppose to flatter him).

What kind of IT? I ask because Koreans employ foreigners only when they really really have to.

[Sergei82]

What did you do in South Korea?

Same as here. IT. Large companies. HR is tasked to make calls and ask your current manager would he recommend you to do your job. So most people are tearing their asses apart to buddy up with managers (or traditional Korean style - crawl under his feet which suppose to flatter him).

What kind of IT? I ask because Koreans employ foreigners only when they really really have to.

Not finance IT. "when they really really have to" - it is just bureaucratic issue. In any case, it is not very popular location nowadays (Samsung is an exception - it is like a country within a country)