Q. In general, if a paper was basically courting you (you didn't apply for any positions but they called you), and you do not want your current employer to know, could you ask the prospective employer to not call anyone at your current paper?

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If you listed some people from your current job as your references, could you instead provide other references for the prospective employer to check out?

I think it would be a weird situation for the current employer to know you're even entertaining the idea of leaving, especially if there's no job offer that comes out of it.

Joe Grimm

It is way too early for you to be giving references. And I would not give references at work until the other company says it is very serious about hiring you. Checking references with your employer should be a last step, not a first step, to preserve your job security and to prevent your employer from making a counter-offer too early.

Many people are concerned, with good reason, that if they are seen as looking, or as being halfway out the door, they will begin to lose opportunities with their employer. Those opportunities could be good assignments, training or even raises -- the very incentives that could be used to ward off outside offers.

What about you? Have you seen people get punished for looking? How? Click on Submit Your Comments.