PSA: Be careful when shopping for that new job

I work for an MSP, we have clients that have tier 1 internal IT then we get the higher level work as needed.

I was called into a sales meeting today for one of our larger clients (200 users, 1 full time desktop support tech). I was thinking "well this is odd, we just got done trying to convert them last spring..."

Turns out their solo desktop person had been working with recruiters and interviewing with other companies. One of the recruiters contacted this person current employer....and we can fill in the blanks. Our client figured it out about a week ago and started making plans to let them go at the end of the week.

Just a friendly reminder, be careful who you trust to shop your skill set around.

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Comments

kiam

Well I guess sometimes while trying to improve your career,
who you know, can be more important than what you know and how good you are at your job

markulous

Don't they have to have your permission to contact your current job? Not sure what the actual legality is behind it, but that's why you always say no, not until I've signed an offer letter.

--chris--

I believe it was a mistake on the recruiters part. That's how it was explained to me.

markulous

Yikes. Costly mistake. I'd be getting on the phone with that recruiter's manager saying you better find me another job ASAP.

Danielm7

I had a coworker the other day call a few of our vendors asking if he could use them as a reference. The vendor then called his manager asking why he needed a reference, awkward...

yellowpad

I honestly don't really trust any recruiter to ask for references first before the interview. I tested the market last week and numerous calls from recruiters; a few asked for it and noted that it's mandatory for references to make me look good during the submission. I plainly said no to it. A number of reasons why I don't like this approaches. One, I don't want to burn my references. Two, I like to keep my privacy until I have a solid yes. Finally and most importantly, I don't want my boss to find out that I am checking out the market.

I love my job now, I love the people I work with. The only reason I am checking out the market, because I don't get to do the things I have been studying for and certified.

pinkydapimp

--chris-- wrote: »

I believe it was a mistake on the recruiters part. That's how it was explained to me.

I had a recruiter email blast me once. In the email you could see his correspondence with other potential job hunters. he had blasted that email to his entire network.

NetworkingStudent

We had a guy that left.
He was out of vacation, so he started taking a lot of days off.

He would say he needed to talk to his lawyer regrading custody of his kid.

My boss believed when he was taking time off he was going to interviews and doing drug test.

My boss said to me" I know there are a lot jobs that pay more than we do, can you and insert co workers name give us a head if you're looking for work?"....so we can prepare. I just said ohhhhhh.

In my mind prepare means replace you.

Reading Chris's story has confirmed my belief that I shouldn't tell my employer that I have interviews.

Caiyenne

Hmmm since when is checking out the job market a legitimate reason for terminating someone? Most employees will at least give two-weeks notice once they find a new job. When layoffs are announced rarely does the employer give the same courtesy.

--chris--

Its the employer prerogative as far as I am concerned. Everyone should look out for #1. Including yourself.

techfiend

I've had a recruiter contact my current manager without me giving the information and without asking for my consent. My manager was off that day and the recruiter had the balls to leave a message asking him to call back in regards to me looking for openings. They looked the manager up on the company website. That was on a Friday and ironically I had an interview with the recruiter later that day. Monday my manager asked me what it was all about, I told him it's nothing of interest for me. I'm in an at will state and could have been fired on the spot, luckily he decided to keep me but the working relationship hasn't been the same since.

More recently I've had multiple calls at work on my direct line from 2 well known recruiting agencies. I've really had it with these recruiters. It's just a matter of time before I get terminated because some scum of the earth had, at one point, my name and employer. I wonder if there's charges I can press because this has to be illegal especially in an at will state.

Also a handful of times I've had the same recruiter email me the same position dozens of times over a few days. I just ignore them but it's relatively annoying at least it's harmless.

JamesKurtovich

Caiyenne wrote: »

Hmmm since when is checking out the job market a legitimate reason for terminating someone? Most employees will at least give two-weeks notice once they find a new job. When layoffs are announced rarely does the employer give the same courtesy.

Seems like retaliation to me. Maybe that's why he's looking to work for someone else.

636-555-3226

I just laugh when I hear about stories like this. Bad leadership through and through. I want my people to proceed professionally as well as personally. If they really really want a new job for x reason, I encourage it. My last person who left actually used me as a reference and went and doubled his salary somewhere else. Good for him.

TacoRocket

You mean there's people like me and you with common sense?!

Chev Chellios

It's great to hear there are managers like you guys out there. Unfortunately everyone I have worked for to date has not shared these values!

Danielm7

The issue isn't only having a good manager, but good people above them too. I've seen too many places with great mid level management who were begging to be able to give their good employees more than a 2-3% raise. Their hands were tied, great, understanding managers, who were unfortunately unable to pay their employees what they were worth.

vanillagorilla3

This would be a great thread to hear from the recruiter that's been posting here lately to see his take on all of this. I can't remember his screen name.

BradleyHU

markulous wrote: »

Yikes. Costly mistake. I'd be getting on the phone with that recruiter's manager saying you better find me another job ASAP.

basically...or if and when I get let go, you better pay me my current salary until i find something....

BradleyHU

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

Reading Chris's story has confirmed my belief that I shouldn't tell my employer that I have interviews.

wait....why was this even in your thought proccess in the first place? you NEVER tell your employer you're looking....NEVER!!!!

markulous

636-555-3226 wrote: »

I just laugh when I hear about stories like this. Bad leadership through and through. I want my people to proceed professionally as well as personally. If they really really want a new job for x reason, I encourage it. My last person who left actually used me as a reference and went and doubled his salary somewhere else. Good for him.

Agreed. If people have high ambitions and find something better, then why be upset about it?