So I have a job interview in like 4 hours. I'm nervous as hell because it's a good opportunity and I stand a great chance of getting the job. My phone interview went well and my best friend started working there a couple of months ago. I also have community connections to other people employed at this place. Skill wise I have what they are looking for and my salary requirements are in the right ballpark.

The one thing I am wrestling with is what to do about contacting my current employer. Let me give some background on that.

My current employer is in the midst of organizational chaos. Things are dicey to say the least. Upper Management was sacked a couple of months ago and they've been radically reforming the business. A lot of changes have been made and some people (like me) have been put into roles they don't really want to do. In my particular case, they allowed me to keep my job title and duties, but put me back in Quality Assurance (I'm one of three software engineers they did this too.) Because I am a bit of an oddity in software development and learned my trade on the job as opposed to in school, this was pretty devastating for me. I worked damn hard to finally get a proper job as a developer and was essentially forced to take a bit of step back. My new manager is a nice enough guy, but I don't really know him that well and he had a hand in 'landing' me as a developer (oddly enough, my unique skill set is pretty invaluable to my current business.)

We've been hemorraging talent for months and the business is quite paranoid about it. It's been the topic of discussion at several staff meetings and they are in their own corporate way begging us to hang in there.

It's also bonus time. We are currently closing our books on last year and will hand out bonuses in the next few weeks based on last year's performance. It's an arbitrary process that management has a big hand in. Last year I know several people that were awarded nothing because of office politics and not job performance. And it's occurring at the same time as the interview process. To be frank, my wife and I really need the money.

Finally, I should mention that my wife also works at my current employer. And although I don't think this will effect her, there is a large chunk of change at stake with the bonuses - it's about 20% of our yearly income all at once.

When it comes to references, I have 6 listed. 3 colleagues, my former tech lead and two former managers (the guy who hired me at my current employer and the guy who actually hired me as a developer.)

With all that in mind, how would you handle the request from your prospective employer to contact your current employer and current manager? I am tempted to tell them to wait to contact HR and to not contact my current manager. I'd really like to tell them just to contact my references and not the company itself. The people listed as references will hold confidence, once word gets out to HR or my current manager things could get a bit nasty for me.

Should I be honest about bonuses? Should I push the fact that things are a bit weird in the office right now? Should I just give them the info and let the chips fall where they may?

Any insight y'all could provide would be helpful. If nothing else, thanks for letting me burn off some nervous energy.

 

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It's not a negative reflection on the interviewer to tell them to not contact your current employer. A reference from a current employer is usually considered a biased one anyhow. They're going to want to verify your work history, obviously, but that's about it.

Honestly I'm kinda surprised that employers still rely on references. They're too easy to fake. As long as you have the experience and can show that you haven't been job-hopping for the last few years, the interview should tell them whether or not you're going to be a decent fit.

Don't share any information about current bonuses or current office politics. Simply tell them you're looking for new opportunities and a restructuring by your current employer was a step backward for you.

 

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Not a big job hopper. I've been doing software development for 14 years and have worked at 4 companies. 6 at my current employer.

Thanks for the advice. What am I supposed to tell them when they ask why they can't contact my current employer?

 

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Agree with zig. Most employers wil understand not wanting to jeopardize current employment, especially until a firm offer has been negotiated and accepted.

Being honest and upfront about your current concerns doesn't seem like a bad idea, but I wouldnt overshare either. Stick to what is necessary and relevant to make sure your concerns are adequately addressed.

 

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I don't allow people to interview my current employer unless I have permission to hunt. (I've been given that, a couple times).

I will sometimes refer them to a former manager of mine from that company who has moved on, for a personal reference in their capacity as my former manager. Or... I refer them to a prior employer.

I have a string of managers going back 15 years who I keep up with and who are all willing to give an excellent reference letter. That has served me well.

 

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It is common to not let them contact your current employer. Sounds like you have connections so they don't really need that reference anyway.

Careful about talking about your current situation though. You never want to sound like you are bitching or complaining. That is a red flag. "I just don't feel it is a stable environment" "not enough opportunity for advancement" osmething. Nothing further, explain it simply and without detail, being as positive as possible. Then STFU about it.

Don't come off like a victim or whiner, whatever you do.

 

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Badjar, I intend to use the same strategy at the live interview that I did at the phone interview, which is to stress the positive and talk about the future and not the past.

The reasons I've listed and will be listing for wanting to leave have nothing to do with my current employer. I've chosen to focus on the things that my prospective employer offers.

As an example, instead of saying 'My current employer has gotten to corporate', I said 'I'm looking too return to a more intimate development environment as I'm happier and more productive in one'.

Essentially, the tact I am taking is that I am happy now, but could be happier somewhere else.

But I appreciate the advice. It's good advice. I was just wondering how you square that with not allowing them to contact my current employer.

 

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The common consensus for interviews always seems to be: Lie. Lie. Lie.

 

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Tali, you're not listening methinks.

It's normal for interviewees to say, "please do not contact my current employer, unless it is post-hiring to verify my salary."

IMO you are inventing a problem where there isn't one, really.

 

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I'm satisfied with the answer AA - just explaining my thought process at the start of the post.

 

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