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When you are in your next job search, how do you let your current employer know about it? Or do you at all?

I'm thinking about switching newspapers after two years and wonder how to go about doing so, especially when it comes to listing references. How do I do so without harming my relationship with my current employer?

Hope you can answer this one. Thanks again,

Amy

This varies from case to case.

In most cases, people prefer not to be so frank with their editors. There can be some serious disadvantages to telling the boss you plan to leave. The greatest danger is the loss of opportunities for things like good assignments, training and sometimes even raises.

Joe Grimm

An editor might figure, "Why should I give her training? She plans to leave, anyway."

If you have cultivated a frank and open relationship with an understanding editor, you can be honest and even enlist a little help. Good editors will understand your career ambitions and help you achieve them. While they don't want to lose you, they might use their network to help you move to another paper.

So, evaluate your relationship with your editor. Start by seeking advice from more experienced colleagues at your paper. Depending on what you learn, you might list your references as you make applications -- or wait until someone gets really serious about hiring you and wants references as a last check.