Dear Coco,
I’m applying for a new job at a different company, and I’d like to list my current manager as a reference, but I don’t want to damage my relationship with her or put my current job in jeopardy in case the new job doesn’t pan out. What’s the best way to approach this?
– Job Seeker
Dear Job Seeker,
Making employment changes can be tricky. On paper, it shouldn’t be a big deal; people coming and going is part of the normal life cycle of a business. However, often, it’s a bit stickier. Politics come into play and it’s impossible to know how things will play out until they come to fruition.
Using your current supervisor is a strong move from an employment standpoint to your new prospective employer. When you use your current supervisor, it demonstrates that you form good relationships with your coworkers and that you won’t leave a company without adequate notice. Moreover, it allows you to have a reference who can accurately speak to your present qualifications.
However, as you said, putting yourself on the radar as actively seeking employment can certainly impact your current job.
When employers are aware that someone may be exiting the company, they’ll naturally and understandably begin to make decisions about what’s best for the company with that transition. If you don’t secure the job you’re seeking, there is a risk that you’ll be pulling yourself out of consideration for possible opportunities in your company.
In these situations, you have a few options: you can use another reference who has worked with you in your current role, but would be able to keep the information classified. You could also use a past supervisor who’s no longer with your company, and just let your prospective employer know that you haven’t disclosed your application to your current employer yet. Or, you can be forthcoming with your supervisor.
In most cases, I’d encourage someone to be forthcoming with their current employer. If you do choose to tell your manager that you’re considering moving on, odds are good that they’ll be supportive, even if they’re disappointed to see you go. It will also give them the opportunity to make a counteroffer, potentially making your current employment a bit of a better fit.
Colleen Cook works full-time as the Director of Operations at Vinyl Marketing in Ashland, where she resides with her husband Mike and three young daughters. She’s an insatiable extrovert who enjoys finding reasons to gather people.
Prior to that conversation, consider what would need to change about your current role that you might be interested in negotiating for if that’s an option.
As an employer, I’m always very appreciative of an ample heads up when someone’s planning to move on. It puts less strain on the employees who are staying and it allows us to support the exiting employee well as they move onto the next phase of their career.
Career changes are a part of life, and great employers ultimately want people working for them who are satisfied with their employment. When something isn’t an ideal fit, and can’t be made to fit, it’s best for everyone to move on.
Best of luck to you in your job search!
– Coco
