Telling your current employer your interviewing

[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