When do you tell the boss you are interviewing elsewhere?

[The Six]

I have a screening interview in a couple of weeks. I am confident I will be invited to an on-site after that. When do I tell my current boss I am in the process?

[Snakebite]

I have a screening interview in a couple of weeks. I am confident I will be invited to an on-site after that. When do I tell my current boss I am in the process?

I don't know your relationship with your boss, but I personally would have an offer in hand before disclosing any information. 

The human condition is always a factor, and resentment or a change in demeanor/culture can ensue if it doesn't work out with the new firm you are entertaining.  I always give companies that I leave a 3-4 week notice, though.  That gives them a better chance to figure out coverage or replacement, and also gives them opportunities for counter-offers should they not want to lose you. 


The absolute best way to maneuver is to follow your own convictions.  At the end of the day, you are the one having to navigate it all and you understand all the dynamics at play.

[Snaggletiger]

I don't know your relationship with your boss, but I personally would have an offer in hand before disclosing any information. 

The human condition is always a factor, and resentment or a change in demeanor/culture can ensue if it doesn't work out with the new firm you are entertaining.  I always give companies that I leave a 3-4 week notice, though.  That gives them a better chance to figure out coverage or replacement, and also gives them opportunities for counter-offers should they not want to lose you. 


The absolute best way to maneuver is to follow your own convictions.  At the end of the day, you are the one having to navigate it all and you understand all the dynamics at play.

^^This^^  Trust him, he's pre-med.

[The Six]

I don't know your relationship with your boss, but I personally would have an offer in hand before disclosing any information. 

The human condition is always a factor, and resentment or a change in demeanor/culture can ensue if it doesn't work out with the new firm you are entertaining.  I always give companies that I leave a 3-4 week notice, though.  That gives them a better chance to figure out coverage or replacement, and also gives them opportunities for counter-offers should they not want to lose you. 


The absolute best way to maneuver is to follow your own convictions.  At the end of the day, you are the one having to navigate it all and you understand all the dynamics at play.

Thanks. I have to play if very close to the vest at current place. One of the reasons I am looking to bounce - culture. I don't lay brick or anything actually useful, so office culture matters especially as I get older. I thought I could influence it for the better, but that's not happening. What I'm best at doing, I'm not really allowed to do here. So, it's best for me to move on and them to find someone to just do what they've always done. However, I could seriously make the minefield more precarious if word got out.

[Kaos]

I can answer in one word.

Never.

[GH2001]

I can answer in one word.

Never.

That ^. No reason to.

[WiregrassTiger]

I can answer in one word.

Never.

^^This. Absolutely zero about interviewing. Sure, give as much notice before leaving as your new will allow. I’m all for that.

Make up all kinds of shit for time away for interviews. Seriously. Sometimes you just have to. I love Billy Graham and the pope but they never did much hiring or firing. You will completely fuck yourself by even hinting at another job. No matter if you are certain you have it and want to flaunt it. Don’t do it.

[WiregrassTiger]

I don't lay brick or anything actually useful, so office culture matters especially as I get older.

I don’t know if I could be of any help to you but I have certainly laid my share of pipe in my day. Still do.

Hetero pipe. Just to be clear.

Seriously. Only hetero.

[wesfau2]

I have a screening interview in a couple of weeks. I am confident I will be invited to an on-site after that. When do I tell my current boss I am in the process?

Don't.

The 2 week notice and other bullshit "requirements" are just that...bullshit.  Your employer won't likely show you any loyalty and it's foolish to give them any.

[AUJarhead]

Agree with everyone here.  You never tell your boss you're looking.  And if the economy went in the shitter, would they think twice about sending you packing?  Fuck no.

You don't say shit until you have an offer in hand.  And I'm not sure I'd even tell my boss I had another offer and was thinking of leaving.

[GH2001]

Agree with everyone here.  You never tell your boss you're looking.  And if the economy went in the shitter, would they think twice about sending you packing?  Fuck no.

You don't say shit until you have an offer in hand.  And I'm not sure I'd even tell my boss I had another offer and was thinking of leaving.

Your post - 100%

[War Damn Six]

Screw what everyone else is telling you. 

Go take a Cleveland Steamer on his desk in the morning.

[The Six]

Thanks, all.

I’m half a mind if I do get it to just turn in the notice (contract says one month) but not tell them why and refuse the exit interview.

[Snakebite]

Screw what everyone else is telling you. 

Go take a Cleveland Steamer on his desk in the morning.

The hell you been, grandpa?

[Kaos]

Think of it this way. 

When do you tell your wife you’re thinking about cheating?  Going to dinner with another woman to see what it might turn into. 

You don’t. Why? Because even if you don’t do anything beyond the dinner, it will always be in her mind that you might have. 

[AUJarhead]

Thanks, all.

I’m half a mind if I do get it to just turn in the notice (contract says one month) but not tell them why and refuse the exit interview.

I'd do the exit interview, but you don't have to tell them why.  No need to burn a bridge.

[Snakebite]

I'd do the exit interview, but you don't have to tell them why.  No need to burn a bridge.

Good wisdom.

[CCTAU]

I'd do the exit interview, but you don't have to tell them why.  No need to burn a bridge.

Early in my career I had one of those interviews. I told
The girl to write this down, “Never ever ever hire me back. I NEVER want to work for this company again. I’d rather dig ditches.” She just looked at me oddly and laughed. I said “I’m not joking. The IT manager is a horrible manager. I can’t wait to get out of here.” The company went under a couple of years later. It was the worst six months of my career. I only stayed six months because my recruiter asked me to stay that long so he gets his money. He immediately found me a great job at a much better company.