Resume - Is it standard to identify your current employer?? 2

[tweedledee]

Is it standard to identify your current employer on your resume?.
My boss has been around for a while, and is fairly well known by other Engineering companies here in Boston.

I'm applying for new jobs, and obviously I don’t want him to know.

I know that if I make it to the interview, the new employer will know who I work for anyway, but I don’t want to be excluded before I even make it to the interview??

Should I indicate the projects I've worked on, but leave out whom my current employer is??

 

[MikeHalloran]

If you don't identify your current employer, some helpful soul might just send your resume to your boss, who is always looking for people like you.





Mike Halloran
NOT speaking for
DeAngelo Marine Exhaust Inc.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

 

[TheTick]

I would reject a resume that doesn't list the current employer. Plenty of other aplicants out there who don't need to hide information.

I could be the world's greatest underachiever, if I could just learn to apply myself.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[corus]

It is normal practice to state who your current employer is, but it is also normal practice for prospective employers to ask your permission before they contact your employer. Any agency or employer breaking this rule will have problems recruiting later as word gets round.

corus

 

[FalsePrecision]

I would certainly list my current employer. It has always been standard practice. You can always include whether it would be OK to contact him for reference or not. Also, many potential employers are very forgiving about negative feedback. We all have made mistakes, and frequently are forced into situations which shed bad light on us.

 

[jmw]

It would be usual to include the current employer but prospective employers usually will not contact your current employer for a reference without permission exactly because it may create problems.

Of course, this does beg the question of how many prospective employers actual check references, qualifications etc anyway. It would seem that a significant proportion are very lax in this area.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[HVAC68]

I've always put my present employer in my resume. It's a customary practice to seek permission from you before your prospective employer checks about you with your present employer.

During my last interview, I was asked by the prospective employer whether they can check with my present employer about my credentials. I politely said "NO" and that was the end of that.

HVAC68

 

[MedicineEng]

tweedledee:
I understand your position:
When I switched jobs I was also afraid that this might be known, specially because I was quite pleased with my job, so I didn't want to create any friction if the things didn't work out. When I applied to my actual position I clearly stated that I would give and demand confidentiality in the handling of my application. Specially because both my actual and future company owners were personal friends. Two days later I receive a call from a friend of mine (that was not HR)that was working in that company: "So, you want to join us?". Imagine how I was completely frozen. I am trying to keep it confidential and then now everybody knows!!! It turned out that everythig went Ok, I switched jobs and I have a quite good relationship with my former colleagues and boss.
So, my advise is:
1-You have to say who your employer is. Nobody will loose time with you without that information;
2-Ask specifically for confidentiality;
3-Even so, you have to be prepared that your job hunt might reach the ears of your actual boss.

Hope that helps.
PR

 

[explortainment]

You can just say that you keep your resume updated and on your personal website...for anyone to see or contact you. You should realize you are a valuable commodity and so should your employer.

 

[tweedledee]

Thanks to everyone for the input..

T

 

[Sparweb]

I was in a similar situation, weighing wether I should put my current employers' name on my resume, when he knows (and occasionally has lunch with) many of the people to whom I would apply. I decided to leave it off, and the strategy DIDN'T work.
If you're contemplating leaving, it is for a good reason anyway. Be prepared to leave the day you send your resume out. If it does come back to your boss, you could always say something like "Wow, that recruiter must have kept me on file all these years...".

STF

 

[sms]

While working for a consulting group, I heard about an open position at one of our client companies that we had done a lot of business with. I sent in my resume for consideration, and a few days later my boss shows up wanting to know what the heck is going on. Seems that when the client got my resume he immediately called my boss to find out why his people were trying to jump ship. I was pretty fed up with this boss anyway, and I was indeed actively looking, so my response to my boss was "In todays environment it is foolish to not continually check the market and see what is available. I know that I have no guarentee of employment here, so why wouldn't I be looking, and if you don't have a resume on the street you should really consider doing so as well." He kind of huffed and stomped off, and within a couple months I had moved on. Within a year he was gone as well.

 

[vonbad]

I am currently in the same position. As mentioned in this thread, it is basically required to list your current employer. Also as mentioned, I am hoping that customary and professional people will ask BEFORE they contact my current employer.

Also, by listing your current employer people are more apt to work within your schedule, even in the off hours (after 5).

 

[BobPE]

vonbad:

first rule of thumb for engineers, never assume. If you list your current employer and you wish that the prospective employer not contact them, say it.

I have done that many times in the past using statement like:

As I am currently employeed by XYZ firm, I request that no contact be made with them until such time that they are in a position to accomodate my transition.

Letting people know your thoughts is the key.

Bob

 

[aamoroso]

I always send my resume with this statement in the email or on the cover letter:

"I have enclosed my Resume in confidence for the position ..."

Most interviewers or HR departments understand the statement and if one doesn't you could always defend yourself to your current by stating that a number of HeadHunters have had your resume for some time. If you have been with the current for a long period of time then he should be more surprised this hasn't happened sooner and their is no crime in looking for a better opportunity. I have made it clear to my current when hired that I was and always will be looking for the best possible opportunity for me. Just as he looks for the best possible employees and customers.

 

[mshimko]

When reviewing resumes, gaps in employment tend to stand out. Leaving out your current employment looks like a gap, PLUS denies the benefit of your current emplyment.

While not all companies/managers do as I do, I would NEVER call a candidate's current employer without checking with the candidate first. Even then, I'm very cautious when I talk to one's current employer, because (a) will the boss simply give a good recommendation because they want to get rid of this person, or (b) will they give a poor recommendation because they want to keep the candidate? For these reasons, I tend to give more credence to the candidate's PREVIOUS employer rather than his/her's current employer (assuming, of course, it's within a reasonable number of years).

Last (and in reply to SMS above): if you send a resume to company XXX, and they immediately call your current boss and ask why people are jumping ship, doesn't that tell us a lot about company XXX?

 

[SusTestEng]

I say put it on there. It is only a matter of time before your boss figures it out anyway. I mean, you can only have so many doctors and dentist appointments before he starts figuring it out! Even if he does "get the call", if you are a good employee, he will sit down and talk with you to see what your needs/reasons are.