When should I tell my current employer I am interviewing for another job?

Question

I have been working with my current employer for 5 months. Its a good enough job and I have been treated well and have performed well. I got a very favorable review at a recent performance evaluation. All in all things are very positive. However, another employer asked me to apply and is now interviewing me for what would be a "dream job". Should I tell my current employer I am interviewing at all or wait until I have a firm offer from the prospective employee? If I should tell, when? My interview is in 4 days.

Answer 1

Ask yourself - what would you (not your current employer) gain by telling him that you're looking for another job. Just to save you the trouble, here's the correct answer: you gain nothing. But, if you tell your current employer that you're out there testing the job market, then he knows that you are a disloyal employee and although very upfront (that's a catergory you'll NEVER see on a performance evaluation) he had better start looking for someone to replace you. And guess what, whether it's in two days or two months he will replace you irrespective of your job searching. So do not share anything with the current employer.
Now, if you interview for the other position and get it, then you meet with your current employer, advise him of the offer and ask, "So what can you do for me? I'd like to stay here, but...."
I've done the foregoing twice so far; once I ended up staying and the other time I took the "dream job." Both worked out just fine...
Good luck and keep quiet....

Answer 2

Under the circumstances you do not tell your current employer that you are interviewing. You have only been there 5 months, you are still under probation. If that happens and I am your supervisor, I would tell you to come back at 5:00 pm for your final check. . .bye-bye.
What if the other job did not materialize, everybody in your work environment would know you were contemplating an exit. As a result from there on, you would be bypassed for any promotion or. . .What is this your first job?

Answer 3

The group above has it right. Don't say a thing. If this falls through then you'll be in deep waters with your boss.

There's always going to be a better job. Similar to finding the perfect shoes on sale or perfect suit on sale, it's pretty much always the case. The grass is always greener on the other side.

One thing your next-next employer, not this or your dream job, your interview will look funny because how do you explain why your employment for 5 months - you say dream job - he thinks fired.

If this is your dream job, seriously imagine if you will be able to commit for 36 to 48 months on it. Your career depends on it.

Answer 4

Do not tell him until you know that you have the job. Than give him two weeks notice. Never tell the employer what you are doing. Hope you get the dream job. Also, if this is a dream job to you than take it. Don't feel obligated to your current employer. You have to look out for #1.

Answer 5

Not until you have a written offer.

Why would you say anything before then? What would you hope would happen?

I know... it's because you're nice and you don't want them to be surprised. Fact is, no matter when you do it, they'll be surprised.

If you want to be nice, offer to stay on 3-4 week (instead of the usual 2). But don't announce until you have a firm offer and, actually, have accepted it.

Answer 6

If you told your girlfriend you plan to break up with her in a month, do you think she'd stick around for it? Same goes with your employer. Keep it to yourself. Just because you get an interview doesn't mean you have the job.

Answer 7

I would wait till you are putting in your resignation. Just in case you don't get the job as to not have the awkwardness of telling your present employer that you did not get the job and are now staying.

Answer 8

never tell anyone anything until you have a firm offer and you are officially resigning.

Answer 9

wait till you have it, wanna get fired?