Telling your current employer your interviewing

[generaltso]

What is your take on telling your current employer that you will be interviewing elsewhere? I fly for a 135 operation, the owner is pretty cheap and is kind of screwing me over. Low pay, on call every day... didn't fly? - it was a day off. No cell reimburse, no per diem on the road (just expenses). Come in and do office stuff on your off days. etc, etc... typical low end part 135 operator.

Anyway, I am looking to get out and am wondering if I should tell them I am interviewing.

On the one hand, I want to do the ethical thing and tell them I am interviewing so they can start looking for a replacement.

On the other hand, they haven't done me any favors. What if I tell them I am interviewing and don't get any job offers and they end up finding a replacement anyway? They won't hesitate to get rid of me once they know I don't really want to work there.

I don't want to burn any bridges, but I don't want to screw myself. I am leaning toward not telling them until I have an offer. Hopefully there will be a couple weeks in between the offer and the class date.

Any thoughts?

 

[Uncle Sparky]

The ethical thing to do is tell them exactly what you're doing. The safe thing to do is tell them "Gramma is sick and I need to visit for a few days" or something to that affect.
Seriously, make sure you always have an out before you rock the boat at your current job. I worked at a slave driver 135 as well. When I interviewed for my current job, I told them that I was going to do contract work. This particular excuse worked for me because it was really slow and all of the Capt's were fighting for work. One less complaining mouth wasn't missed for a few days!

 

[English]

I would recommend not telling them you are interviewing.

I worked at three different charter operators. When the time came to move to greener pastures, I gave the heads up to all three employers. The first two acted as if I was a traitor for even considering leaving, and made my remaining time in their employment somewhat uncomfortable. However, my last employer was very gracious and understanding when I told him I'd be leaving his employment to go to my current position. In fact, he was very supportive and let me leave on my time frame.

It just depends on what kind of individual you are dealing with. It sounds like the guy isn't really all that upstanding. Doing the right thing in this case just means giving two weeks' notice.

 

[smokinhole]

I'm with English on this one.......Don't say a thing. At the last place I worked, which sounds similar to your job, did'nt react well when I told them I had an interview and threatened to fire me and start looking for my replacement. I thought I was being courteous and honest by giving them a heads up. It ended up just making my life hell and creating alot of distrust and tension in the hanger. I did'nt get the job and I then had to worry about losing the one I had. As you can imagine......IT SUCKED! Tell em your second cousins granddaddys aunt passed away or you got the gonaherpasyplaids and need to go see the doc. You get the picture. But DO give the two weeks and shake hands on your way out the door no matter how bad the job sucked.

Best of luck to ya!

S.H.

 

[Gatorman]

Form you own opinion

If you are interviewing , taking time off to go do so and things at work are not going well with the whole company? I am pretty sure that the boss has added it up already that you are ready to bolt out of there. If he has not gotten it figured out, then he will when you turn in your 2 weeks notice.
I would not tell him I was interviewing or anything else. Keep plugging away like you are going to stay forever. If things do not get better and you nail an interview, drop that resignation on his desk. Tell him that you are being called to work elsewhere and would be happy to assist in training a replacement or the two of you can talk over a new contract which would include the items you had mentioned in your original posting.

...but hey, that is what I would do.

 

[pilotman2105]

Don't lie, but don't volunteer more info than necessary

Don't lie to your current employer. When requesting time off to do your interviews, just say that it is for "personal reasons" or "to spend some time with your family."

Unless you're the first person working for this guy, he's been through this before. I'm sure that he knows the signs of an employer getting ready to leave. Be upfront and honest, but don't volunteer more information than you need to inorder to take care of your business.

 

[Brett Hull]

The ethical thing to do is tell them exactly what you're doing. The safe thing to do is tell them "Gramma is sick and I need to visit for a few days" or something to that affect.
Seriously, make sure you always have an out before you rock the boat at your current job. I worked at a slave driver 135 as well. When I interviewed for my current job, I told them that I was going to do contract work. This particular excuse worked for me because it was really slow and all of the Capt's were fighting for work. One less complaining mouth wasn't missed for a few days!

If I would have known that, I would have turned your @$$ in!

 

[pilotyip]

call in sick

That is what sick days are for.

 

[flyifrvfr]

You don't have an ethical or moral obligation to tell your current employer that you are looking for another job if you do your job searching on your time. What you do on your own time is your business. This being said, if you tell your employer that you are currently looking for a better job offer, he will tell you you are no longer needed and replace you before you leave the front gate. This is why they make two week notice.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Dont tell ANYONE you are interviewing.

Its nobodys business but yours.

The only ethical obligation you have is to give as much notice as you can once you accept the other job. Minimum 2 weeks - if the job offer pends on you needing to give less -- its a $hit job also and you dont want it.

How much notice you think that $hitbag 135 outfit would give YOU if they were closing shop???

...about 30 seconds notice.

Dont be crazy, keep your interviewing to yourself.


Golden Rule:

Look out for #1 in this business.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Two weeks' notice is customary. And if he's nice to you, don't drop the dime on him to the FAA after you leave.

 

[bobbysamd]

Time off for interviewing

That is what sick days are for.

Is that what your staff does, Yip, when it interviews? What an interesting comment from management. Telling a company that you're interviewing is not necessarily ethical; calling in sick to get away for interviewing is unethical.

There is nothing wrong with asking for a few days off. You really shouldn't be asked a reason; it's none of their business what you do on your time off. If you are asked a reason, just say you have some personal affairs to handle. Getting a new job is a personal affair, so, you are not lying.

As far as giving notice goes, most states are "at-will" employment states, meaning you can quit anytime without notice and reason - and an employer can can you anytime without notice and reason. Yes, the irony is inescapable that you must give notice when you leave but the employer never gives you notice if it terminates you. Having said that, still try to be professional and give two weeks or more notice when you resign.

Good luck with your job search.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

There is nothing wrong with asking for a few days off. .

And if they say no, fukk 'em. Call in sick.

 

[bobbysamd]

When all else fails . . .

And if they say no, fukk 'em. Call in sick.

I agree there. Hopefully, it should not come to that. But calling in sick should not be a first option.

 

[j328driver]

Don't Say Anything

Try to sked your interviews for days that you have a good idea you won't get the call/page, etc. If you do, go to work. Be up front with the folks that you're interviewing with and tell them that you never get a sked day off and that you might have to re-sked on short notice. They'll appreciate the loyalty to your current employer.

Once you get the offer, just give last guy two weeks notice (previously mentioned as the accepted standard).

Cheers.

 

[Sctt@NJA]

I have always told my employers about my job hunting. But I agree it would depend on the employer.

If I had a very bad employer I wouldn't even worry about 2 weeks notice. I would dump them the same way they would fire me. No notice.

I always thought it was weird that if they want you gone you are gone on the spot. But if you are the one who wants to leave you have to give them a heads up. It is a courtesy is all.

Actually I did do this once now that I think of it. I had one flight instruction job that I only stayed at for 4 months because I couldn't stand the owners. When I left that job I did it management style... quick clean cut.

 

[vetteracer]

That is too bad that there are employers like this. But, in many cases it is some employees that start this cycle of crap.

Sure, I will be here for some time, I like this area, and if you type me in (whatever) I will stay here etc etc. 6 months later there gone.

Calling in sick, lying and interviewing behind the scenes is just not in keeping with honesty. Being honest to yourself will pay dividends, even if it seems the wrong thing to do.

I passed up opportunities simply by telling my employer that I may not be here 6 months from now, so send someone else to training. Or, during your interview, you tell the truth, YES, airlines are my goal, and when one calls, I am gone. But while I am here, I will work with every bit of diligence I would as if it were my destination job.

Honesty is the best policy. If you get screwed because of it, then so be it, no one will ever take your reputation from you. One bad report will mean nothing to the hundreds of good ones.

I don’t get passed over for promotions, and I am treated like a long-term employee. All at the same time using my BOSS' old typewriter to fill out job applications.

Be Honest, and be forth coming. If you are interviewing, then tell your employer that. I know some employers are the $hits, and are just unreasonble. But there is no reason to lower your standards.

Mark

 

[gear_guy]

Informing your employer

Worst mistake I ever made.

I was always up front and honest with my previous employer. So I decided to tell him I was interviewing. I told them not to worry b/c I would give them a standard 2 week notice. He told me that as soon as he found a replacement he was giving me a 2 week notice. They spent the next couple of days talking about how many resumes they had and I better get a job. It really had me worried b/c I had a 1 week old baby at home and my wife couldnt work. Luckily, I got the job. But if I didnt, I would have been unemployed. DO NOT TELL THEM!!!!

 

[j328driver]

Be Careful Burning Bridges

As tempting as it can be, be careful about burning those bridges. It may not seem so, but this is a small industry. You just never know where these former employers might show up in your future.

Keep in mind the three golden rules of interviewing. Never bad mouth any airplane, employer, or person; because chances are that someone you are interviewing with has either flown that airplane, worked for that employer, or knows that person.

I'm sure that you could fill this forum with "small world" aviation stories.

Try to search on your own time, don't use company assets to do your searching, and give them as much notice as you can. You'll be above reproach.

Cheers.

 

[Uncle Sparky]

Good advice re: not burning bridges.
My "foot in the door" job, was a job that I was called back to, after quitting. I worked as a mechanic left to be a CFI and came back to fly charter when they needed a hole filled.
When I left the first time, I wanted to tell them exactly how I felt. On the good advice of a friend, I didn't burn that bridge. As painfull as it was, I even went as far as thanking some of the key players at the company for their good treatment when I quit. I was told later, after I was re-hired, that my professionalism was a factor in their choice.
You may think it will feel good to finally let it fly, when it IS time to quit but the feeling is short lived and it can haunt you in the long run.

 

[Texan Driver]

I have to agree with the advice of not telling an employer you are interviewing. I was "chief" pilot of a banner tow operation in Southern California one time a few years ago and I needed time off for an interview in Florida...I was fired the next day and the owner told me he felt "betrayed". This was after I gave up a job offer to fly Beech 18's and DC-3's because he was short staffed and he was good to me when he hired me 4 years earlier when they didn't really need any pilots. Ugh. Never again.

 

[AA717driver]

The "No's" have it...

I agree with G200. Give them as much notice as possible but if you need to get out to get the better job, do it!

The worse the outfit, the $hittier they will be when you talk about leaving. They may even backstab you when someone calls about references later in life.TC