If you are in the process of searching for a new job and you are currently employer, then you probably want to know if a recruiter will tell your currently employer. That might be a big issue.
If you’re current employer finds out that you are reaching out to recruiters, then they will know that something is wrong. Don’t think that employers will be understanding. They won’t. They will be concerned and angry if an employee is looking for a new job.
This situation can lead to your current employer rethinking your role at their company. This in turn can end up to your actually being out of work and really needing a recruiter.
So, let’s examine the issue of searching for a new job while you’re actually employed. How to deal with recruiters if you are working and how to keep that job search confidential.
Do Recruiters Contact Current Employers
Alright, first off, let’s discuss whether or not recruiters contact current employers. They shouldn’t, but it’s not like it never happens. So, you need to proceed with caution if you’re someone who thinks that there employer won’t take kindly to you “speaking” with recruiters. And that’s the case with most bosses.
Alright, so, would a recruiter call your current boss? It sounds like an stupid thing to do, but don’t think that all recruiters are smart. Some are very sharp, some are surprisingly stupid.
New recruiters who come into the field straight out of college might not understand the delicate issues involved in the process of speaking with a recruiter while already employer. These new recruiters might contact a current employer for a reference or some other stupid reason.
So, make is clear to your recruiter that you need to keep your work search confidential. And try and only work with a senior recruiter. Senior recruiters are less likely to make an egregious mistake.
The other thing to be mindful of is that if you’re working with a large recruiting agency it’s more likely that there will be dozens of employees at the firm who have your contact info and potentially might reach out to your current employer. That’s why it’s always best to work with smaller agencies.
In another article I review the best way to actually search for a job while you’re still employed.
The Legality Issue: Can Recruiters Call Your Current Employer
So, there’s no law against a recruiter calling your current employer. But unless they are stupid, why would they?
Again, there is always a risk when you’re working and then go to a recruiter. And even more of a risk if you work for a smallish to medium sized firm and if you’re recruiter works for a larger sized company.
But there is no law that outright prohibits a recruiter from contacting your employer.
It is up to you to figure out how to be discrete when using a recruiting service.
Don’t rely on any sort of legal constraints to protect you during your job search. It’s up to you.
The Reference Issue: When It Becomes Tricky
So, the only area where it becomes trick is when you’re applying to a role and they require references. Then you need to conduct yourself very carefully since there is a good chance that someone messes up and your current employer finds out.
If you are in this situation, then you need to proceed with caution.
Many companies will require references, and they task people who work in the credentialing department to handle this. If the credentials work in-house, then they might have some tact. However, if the role is outsourced to some third party reference checking firm or employment verification company then you’re going to be at risk.
There are a lot of employment verification firms that are all outsourced to foreign countries, many in the 3rd world, and they are not going to handle questions with discretion.
A good recruiter should be able to handle this with delicacy. Because it’s not an uncommon situation.
Basically, what you should be discussing with your recruiter is a way to get references from former colleagues and former employers, not current employers. Your current employer does not have to give a reference.
This is not an uncommon situation in professional situations where someone needs to find a different work situation and doesn’t want and can’t afford their current employer to find out.
Discretion Is Key: Your Role in The Process
Don't just assume that the recruiter that you're working with is a competent person. If you are working with a major recruiting firm, odds are, unfortunately, they are not. It's not as bad with smaller executive search firms, but even there you have to take ownership and make your intensions clear.
Always make certain that your recruiter understands that you cannot let your current boss know that you are seeking work. Make sure to tell them this over the phone, or in person if you happen to meet with them at their office.
In addition to stating very clearly that you need to undertake a discrete search, it's important to follow a few other additional steps:
- Leave Your Current Workplace Off Your Resume
- Leave a Link to Your LinkedIn Profile On Your Resume
- Make Sure Your LinkedIn Profile is Updated
- Never List References on Your Resume
I go into greater detail about how to conduct a job search while still employed in other articles, but the above suggestions are the key points that you need to understand. If you follow them, it's highly unlikely that your current boss will know that you are searching for work and therefore you can feel comfortable in your job search.
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