OT - Need advice on a potential new job

I've never done it. I've always just told them exactly what you just said and they always understood. Of course I'm only ever applying for engineering positions, don't know if it works differently for exec level positions.

Certainly no easy answer here. You didn't make it clear if this was a position was at a different company, I assume it is. And if that's the case then I don't think it's a wise move to do that. And I would also have to believe that this new opportunity hiring manager/HR staff would have to understand this and can't hold it against you.

The ONLY way I can see saying yes to this is if you have a very good relationship with your direct manager and can have a bit of a heart to heart with him/her. Even then that's risky.

If it is an opportunity within your organization then it should be an easy yes and fairly standard.

If you don't turn over the info, your chances of landing the job are going to take a hit.  If your boss is a decent human being, he won't begrudge you the opportunity for a promotion.  The person who asked for it--ask him/her if that request means you are receiving serious consideration, then ask for a day to let your supervisor know.  Your supervisor is more likely to be red-assed that the request came out of the blue without prior knowledge.  It's important you let your boss know before he/she receives a reference call.  

This post is really funny if you read it imagining that it's Gattis talking about applying for the Rutgers job

I would hope your current employer would realize your just trying to advance yourself. I would talk to your boss and explain it that way. Tell him your not unhappy but don’t see the chance to advance in your current situation and your goal is executive level and you are going after it now 

I have nothing to offer but...

Good luck!!

I wouldn't do so, if you feel that doing so would jeopardize your current position. If you feel you should refuse I'd explain your position to them, in the most professional and confident way possible. It's possible they may only be testing your response to a potentially unreasonable request. 

The best part of the replies here is that they are all genuine. Well done, mgopeeps. 
 

Both answers are appropriate - decline and let them know why or speak with your current supervisor first. You’ll have to decide which is right for you. 
 

Best of luck to you! 

Went through it last week.  I was offered and accepted a position with a new company.  I put my current boss down as a reference, but since he was on vacation, I asked them to hold off on making that call until he got back and I could talk to him in person first.  They understood and I received no negative feedback.

So in summary, give them the info, but make sure they don't make contact unless they are 100% on you and are going through the motions. 

Hard “no” from me. I don’t know what you mean by exec level, but I know many director and above industry types, and they’re not giving out that sort of information when they job hop. 

These guys either want you or they don’t. If the former, saying no won’t change that. If the latter, you’re not getting the new job either way. 

Don’t.  There is no reason you should give a potential employer the right to call your current employer.
 

And there is no reason why they would want to.  

My mother in law has held some exec level positions and this isn't uncommon. Tough call here, probably no one here is going to be able to give you meaningful advice without knowing your relationships and standing with your current company. 

This seems like a red flag to me, but only because I'm assuming that you disclosed to somebody at the prospective employer early on in the process that this was a confidential pursuit.

It could conceivably be some kind of test, but that would also be a red flag.

Trust your instincts here, and while others have made some valid points, under no circumstances would I accede to this request unless my current boss already knew I was looking around and was generally supportive.

Isn't it kind of a faux pas for a prospective employer to request the contact info of a current candidate's supervisor?

This strikes me as a highly unusual request. I would say no. Don't overthink it. 

I find it extremely unusual they would expect you to be ok with them contacting your current boss.  I would consider it bad form. 

The correct answer is to adk them why they want this info...and simply say if my employer is contacted it will cause me problems.  Pretty normal conversation...if they say they want to c9ntact him then there is something odd about who you're interviewing with...in general it's never done.

My job position is vastly different from yours. However . . . imhe, it really depends on where you are in the process, and where the prospective employer is as regards you.

1. Are they prepared to offer you the position, but are doing final vetting? That's one thing.
2. Assuming you are in the home stretch, I would want to talk to your current employer first, before they contact your supervisor. This, of course, is contingent on a good relationship with your current boss.
3. Assuming they are doing final reviews, are prepared to offer you the position, and you have talked to your boss first, this seems a good thing.
4. This shows your own transparency. It also allows your current employer not to be blindsided, and to make a counter offer, should you receive a new position.

I have had a director under me pursued by several other potential employers. This director has had other offers. I appreciate having an open relationship with my employee . . . this allows for good communication, and has been helpful.

Beware. Only a Sparty would ask to speak with your supervisor. 

I think that this is an unusual request for them to make before offering you the job.  I think most people, when you're at the C-suite or partner level, know that job searches are a little tricky when you're going outside of the organization and will do the search discreetly.  You've gone this far in the search process and they must think highly enough of you.  Is your direct supervisor/boss' opinion (who may end up retaliating) really going to make that big of an difference?  

I do pre-employment screenings for a living. We never contact current employers unless an applicant gives written permission. A prospective employer (or its background check company) should not contact its applicant’s current employer unless given permission. The current manager could decide to fire the applicant if he or she is seeking other employment, if said manager is an asshole. There are some people in this world who are not assholes, though, and would be understandable if he or she learns one of his or her employees is seeking new employment. My advice is to tell your prospective employer that you don’t want your current manager or HR department contacted unless a job offer is made in writing. I assume the references you provided are confidential ones from your current employer or former supervisors who no longer work there. Some of my clients ask my team to interview listed supervisors instead of references. I deal with this situation almost every day with my job.

I agree with this answer.

if it’s a clear promotion, any reasonable person should understand. People look for better jobs, and promotions. Period. Id cover your bases here though. Make sure the new company isn’t just like sending some pool questionnaire his way (force them to tell you how many people are still under consideration). Also confirm that they will actually contact your current boss.  
 

And you need to be the one to tell your current boss first if you know the new company is definitely going to contact him. 

I would not provide it to them. Have a discussion with them explaining that you've been through an extensive interview process, you have already provided them with multiple references, and you are all in for this role but providing them this information could jeopardize your current job. Ask what questions or concerns they may still have with you in the prospective role and work with them to answer those. 

No way.  If you are going for an executive position/compensation -- the hiring org has to do their 'own homework' without you jeopardizing your current role.  

Nearly all bosses will 'react negatively' to a subordinate letting them know "I'm thinking about leaving".  

Just some $0.02 

Good luck. 

I love a circle jerk on Monday morning!

Seeking advice on a college football message board.

Yep, we all have the best advice. Hence, thousands of posts all day long on each and every thread that pops up, no matter how innocuous. 

I say screw it. The company you, ahem, work for will jettison you like yesterdays leftover meatloaf, like the old secretary when a new hottie steps in, like your eldest kid as soon as the new young hot (third) wife presents you with kid number 8, like the starting QB on your favorite college football team, like Bill Bellichek the night before the Super Bowl releasing a player who has started all season long.

Give out your contact info to anyone and everyone. Pizza Delivery, though, is not exactly Executive Level. Just ask any of the hundreds of posters here.