Contacting current employer?

[kcdunlap]

If you say "yes" are they contacting your manager or just HR? and can you ask?

If you say "no" will they never contact your employer you said no about if it is your current employer.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I tell them not to contact my current employer unless it looks like we have a mutual interest in each other at the end of the interview. Its a good idea that they don't know you're planning to leave till you're ready to tell them. Of course, a blanket NO looks suspicious.

Most HR will only confirm job titles, dates of employment, and voluntary vs involuntary separation. But check with them if you are not sure

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

A "No" is no guarantee that a prospective employer won't contact your current employer--they may decide to do so anyway, even if you tell them not to. Nor does a "Yes" mean they definitely will call your current employer.

Also, your current employer may say anything about your employment provided that it is fact. Most stick to just confirming dates of employment and rehire status, but they can elaborate if they want to.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

Speak to anyone in HR and if someone is still working for an employer "No" is the typical response.

Inquiries from someone checking dates of employment is a red-flag that you are getting ready to leave. It will not hurt your chances of getting called for an interview.

Organizations know that searching for a job can put your current one at risk.

I always explain to HR that I have no problems with them contacting my current employer...as long as a firm job offer is on the table.

This has never, ever been a barrier to my securing employment.

I agree with the other poster that "voluntary vs involuntary" separation is a better thing to check for. I have worked for companies before, that if you ever left to work for a competitor, you were automatically put on the "do not rehire" list. Regardless of your work performance.

So the "do not rehire" is as subjective as it comes.

[Misskala]

I always explain to HR that I have no problems with them contacting my current employer...as long as a firm job offer is on the table.

This has never, ever been a barrier to my securing employment.

I interviewed with a hospital while employed at my first hospital, and after the interview, their HR called and asked if they could speak to my current employer. I said "no" for the reason being, I didn't want to tip them off that I was job searching. I told this to the new hospital HR person. She proceeded to ask me 3 more times. ?????? I kept saying no. I didn't get the job. Not sure if it was related. But next time, I would verbalize it as such: "If there is a firm job offer from you, and if my current employer can give you a positive review/referral, then yes you can speak to the HR dept. about my employment."

Not sure who they were trying to speak with, my current boss or the current HR dept.

Which is it anyway? Both hospitals I work at have a policy that managers cannot give referrals/recommendations. It has to go thru HR.