I'd rather not say who my new employer is to my old employer, but I don't want to come of as snide, how do I go about this when my manager, HR, and friends/employees ask me this question?
Submitted by Mark O'Dell on Wednesday June 26th, 2013 6:04 am
I find this one quite interesting, I have not been in your position, only on the receiving end. I always find it annoying and I don't understand what is to be achieved by doing it. It just seems to me pointless as it will always become clear at some point in the future anyway.
Please would you explain to me why you want to hide this information, I'd love to understand it from the other point of view. It happens often so I must be missing something.
__
Chief Executive, Connect Support Services Ltd. - London based cloud & traditional IT services for SMEs http://uk.linkedin.com/in/markodell100 - https://twitter.com/mark_odell
Submitted by Daniel Rusteen on Wednesday June 26th, 2013 9:51 am
I am leaving this job within 5 months of starting and so there will be people who are undoubtedly upset and I don't know if they know someone at the next company where they can/would want to sour my reputation before I get there. Or, even worse, they know someone who is directly responsible for hiring me and the new company rescinds their offer. I am of the belief that it's not done until it's done, and until I start working, they can rescind my offer for any reason. If I resign from my current job and then my next job rescinds the offer because of some reason I could have prevented, that's on me. I know it's a small chance, but there is a chance and I wonder why the old employer needs to know besides out of curiosity? I just don't want to sound like an a**hole doing it.
Submitted by Mark O'Dell on Wednesday June 26th, 2013 10:09 am
Ah OK, that does make sense. Although I think you are worrying too much. Presumably the new employer knows from your CV/interview that you were only there for 5 months and if they knew someone they would already be aware of that too.
I have always wanted to know because it may help understand the reason somebody is leaving. Is there something about this other company that is particularly appealing, are there things we could learn from them. Also, is it a direct competitor and is there a conflict of interests to the point that I would want you to go on gardening leave. Finally, I must admit, out of curiosity.
I wouldn't stress too much over looking bad. If you are leaving after five months you don't have significant relationship with your current employer that you risk losing. Just be polite and explain that you would rather not discuss it, perhaps offer to let them know when it's all sorted out. If it does pose a conflict of interests you should tell them, you can still do that without naming the company.
--
Chief Executive, Connect Support Services Ltd. - London based cloud & traditional IT services for SMEs http://uk.linkedin.com/in/markodell100 - https://twitter.com/mark_odell
Submitted by Matt Palmer on Thursday June 27th, 2013 3:47 am
I'm having trouble coming up with reasons why you wouldn't want to tell *anyone* (You don't want to even tell your *friends*?) where you're going. It isn't as though they aren't going to find out sooner or later, unless you're a beancounter for the CIA, I guess...
If I happened to have a good reason for not telling anyone, II'd just go with a simple "I'd prefer not to say at this stage because <reason>". I suppose you could go with "I'd prefer to keep it quiet for now; don't want to jinx it!" with a smile on your face, at the risk of looking just a *little* kooky. The problem is that most people are happy enough to let people know where they're going (once people know *that* they're going) that taking a different path is going to stand out. You need to decide if standing out in that way is more, or less, damaging than people knowing where you're going.
Submitted by Tim L on Thursday June 27th, 2013 3:48 pm
If I you were interviewing with me and you did not answer this question, I would think you are hiding something. I would hold it against you. In fact, I would have a hard time offering you a position if there was still no resolution to this question at the end of the process.
Just to be clear, I know you have a good reason. I have empathy for your position. I am simply being honest in trying to help you see how this would be perceived. I would put this one into the category of the myth of the just world. I also remember on one of the CT casts, they referenced answering all questions you get from an interviewer, even the illegal ones (please correct me if I am wrong).
I find this one quite
I find this one quite interesting, I have not been in your position, only on the receiving end. I always find it annoying and I don't understand what is to be achieved by doing it. It just seems to me pointless as it will always become clear at some point in the future anyway.
Please would you explain to me why you want to hide this information, I'd love to understand it from the other point of view. It happens often so I must be missing something.
__
Chief Executive, Connect Support Services Ltd. - London based cloud & traditional IT services for SMEs
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/markodell100 - https://twitter.com/mark_odell
I am leaving this job within
I am leaving this job within 5 months of starting and so there will be people who are undoubtedly upset and I don't know if they know someone at the next company where they can/would want to sour my reputation before I get there. Or, even worse, they know someone who is directly responsible for hiring me and the new company rescinds their offer. I am of the belief that it's not done until it's done, and until I start working, they can rescind my offer for any reason. If I resign from my current job and then my next job rescinds the offer because of some reason I could have prevented, that's on me. I know it's a small chance, but there is a chance and I wonder why the old employer needs to know besides out of curiosity? I just don't want to sound like an a**hole doing it.
Ah OK, that does make sense.
Ah OK, that does make sense. Although I think you are worrying too much. Presumably the new employer knows from your CV/interview that you were only there for 5 months and if they knew someone they would already be aware of that too.
I have always wanted to know because it may help understand the reason somebody is leaving. Is there something about this other company that is particularly appealing, are there things we could learn from them. Also, is it a direct competitor and is there a conflict of interests to the point that I would want you to go on gardening leave. Finally, I must admit, out of curiosity.
I wouldn't stress too much over looking bad. If you are leaving after five months you don't have significant relationship with your current employer that you risk losing. Just be polite and explain that you would rather not discuss it, perhaps offer to let them know when it's all sorted out. If it does pose a conflict of interests you should tell them, you can still do that without naming the company.
--
Chief Executive, Connect Support Services Ltd. - London based cloud & traditional IT services for SMEs
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/markodell100 - https://twitter.com/mark_odell
It comes down to *why* you don't want to say...
I'm having trouble coming up with reasons why you wouldn't want to tell *anyone* (You don't want to even tell your *friends*?) where you're going. It isn't as though they aren't going to find out sooner or later, unless you're a beancounter for the CIA, I guess...
If I happened to have a good reason for not telling anyone, II'd just go with a simple "I'd prefer not to say at this stage because <reason>". I suppose you could go with "I'd prefer to keep it quiet for now; don't want to jinx it!" with a smile on your face, at the risk of looking just a *little* kooky. The problem is that most people are happy enough to let people know where they're going (once people know *that* they're going) that taking a different path is going to stand out. You need to decide if standing out in that way is more, or less, damaging than people knowing where you're going.
Gotta say it
If I you were interviewing with me and you did not answer this question, I would think you are hiding something. I would hold it against you. In fact, I would have a hard time offering you a position if there was still no resolution to this question at the end of the process.
Just to be clear, I know you have a good reason. I have empathy for your position. I am simply being honest in trying to help you see how this would be perceived. I would put this one into the category of the myth of the just world. I also remember on one of the CT casts, they referenced answering all questions you get from an interviewer, even the illegal ones (please correct me if I am wrong).