Colleague from my previous company gets interview for my current company and wants to contact me

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Long story short:



A good colleague of mine (henceforth OC) from my previous company applied for a job in my current company. Manager showed me OC's CV and I told the manager that OC is good news. So they decided to go for a telephone interview with OC. After OC got the news and learned that I work there also, OC sends me an email wanting to come in contact with me (possibly for small talk? but I am not sure).



I am not sure if I should reply. I mean OC is a really good individual and I'd love to have him in the company, but I feel like I am in a difficult position. Should I tell my manager about OC's email? Should I talk to OC? Should I just do nothing? Did the manager tell OC that OC got my thumbs up? What if OC starts asking what are the interview questions? I just feel like not involving until the formal process is over.



What do you think I should do? I just want to be professional.







share|improve this question


























    up vote
    5
    down vote

    favorite












    Long story short:



    A good colleague of mine (henceforth OC) from my previous company applied for a job in my current company. Manager showed me OC's CV and I told the manager that OC is good news. So they decided to go for a telephone interview with OC. After OC got the news and learned that I work there also, OC sends me an email wanting to come in contact with me (possibly for small talk? but I am not sure).



    I am not sure if I should reply. I mean OC is a really good individual and I'd love to have him in the company, but I feel like I am in a difficult position. Should I tell my manager about OC's email? Should I talk to OC? Should I just do nothing? Did the manager tell OC that OC got my thumbs up? What if OC starts asking what are the interview questions? I just feel like not involving until the formal process is over.



    What do you think I should do? I just want to be professional.







    share|improve this question






















      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite











      Long story short:



      A good colleague of mine (henceforth OC) from my previous company applied for a job in my current company. Manager showed me OC's CV and I told the manager that OC is good news. So they decided to go for a telephone interview with OC. After OC got the news and learned that I work there also, OC sends me an email wanting to come in contact with me (possibly for small talk? but I am not sure).



      I am not sure if I should reply. I mean OC is a really good individual and I'd love to have him in the company, but I feel like I am in a difficult position. Should I tell my manager about OC's email? Should I talk to OC? Should I just do nothing? Did the manager tell OC that OC got my thumbs up? What if OC starts asking what are the interview questions? I just feel like not involving until the formal process is over.



      What do you think I should do? I just want to be professional.







      share|improve this question












      Long story short:



      A good colleague of mine (henceforth OC) from my previous company applied for a job in my current company. Manager showed me OC's CV and I told the manager that OC is good news. So they decided to go for a telephone interview with OC. After OC got the news and learned that I work there also, OC sends me an email wanting to come in contact with me (possibly for small talk? but I am not sure).



      I am not sure if I should reply. I mean OC is a really good individual and I'd love to have him in the company, but I feel like I am in a difficult position. Should I tell my manager about OC's email? Should I talk to OC? Should I just do nothing? Did the manager tell OC that OC got my thumbs up? What if OC starts asking what are the interview questions? I just feel like not involving until the formal process is over.



      What do you think I should do? I just want to be professional.









      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked Oct 20 '15 at 21:57









      burnedWood

      313




      313




















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          12
          down vote



          accepted










          In my experience (US, high-tech) it's pretty normal to approach ex-colleagues at companies you're looking at. This is part of networking. OC isn't doing anything wrong or unusual. And so long as you don't create a conflict of interest, you won't be doing anything wrong by talking with him. Ignoring him, on the other hand, might make him think it's personal or that you don't want him to work there -- not what you want.



          So go have coffee or whatever, and when the topic of his application comes up, avoid crossing boundaries on either side -- don't tell him company-confidential stuff and don't reveal anything private he tells you to your manager/HR/etc. You can't tell him about interview questions, but you can probably talk about what it's like to work there more generally, whether you're happy there, etc. Similarly, you can tell your boss that you used to work with OC and think highly of him, but shouldn't pass on that OC is nervous about some particular aspect of the interview process.






          share|improve this answer



























            up vote
            6
            down vote













            You should say you are Happy to Help to OC.



            1. OC is a great individual at your previous company. He would potentially be one in your current company.

            2. You could mention to your manager that you know OC. If he asks for a personal recommendation, please do give. As you already know OC is good person to have.

            3. You could be friendly and ethical. You can say no to requests of interview questions, but you can still provide non confidential information like company work culture, how you currently enjoy your work etc.





            share|improve this answer



























              up vote
              1
              down vote













              I would ask your manager if there's anything that you shouldn't discuss with applicants, beyond the normal company confidentiality. Based on what your manager tells you, you can decide whether you think it's okay to meet with this person. If you do, and the person asks you something that you can't disclose, just tell him, "I'm sorry, but I'm not able to discuss that." If you decide you cannot meet with him, simply tell him that you're sorry, but you can't meet with him while he's in the interview process, because you're afraid of disclosing something to him.






              share|improve this answer




















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                3 Answers
                3






                active

                oldest

                votes








                3 Answers
                3






                active

                oldest

                votes









                active

                oldest

                votes






                active

                oldest

                votes








                up vote
                12
                down vote



                accepted










                In my experience (US, high-tech) it's pretty normal to approach ex-colleagues at companies you're looking at. This is part of networking. OC isn't doing anything wrong or unusual. And so long as you don't create a conflict of interest, you won't be doing anything wrong by talking with him. Ignoring him, on the other hand, might make him think it's personal or that you don't want him to work there -- not what you want.



                So go have coffee or whatever, and when the topic of his application comes up, avoid crossing boundaries on either side -- don't tell him company-confidential stuff and don't reveal anything private he tells you to your manager/HR/etc. You can't tell him about interview questions, but you can probably talk about what it's like to work there more generally, whether you're happy there, etc. Similarly, you can tell your boss that you used to work with OC and think highly of him, but shouldn't pass on that OC is nervous about some particular aspect of the interview process.






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  12
                  down vote



                  accepted










                  In my experience (US, high-tech) it's pretty normal to approach ex-colleagues at companies you're looking at. This is part of networking. OC isn't doing anything wrong or unusual. And so long as you don't create a conflict of interest, you won't be doing anything wrong by talking with him. Ignoring him, on the other hand, might make him think it's personal or that you don't want him to work there -- not what you want.



                  So go have coffee or whatever, and when the topic of his application comes up, avoid crossing boundaries on either side -- don't tell him company-confidential stuff and don't reveal anything private he tells you to your manager/HR/etc. You can't tell him about interview questions, but you can probably talk about what it's like to work there more generally, whether you're happy there, etc. Similarly, you can tell your boss that you used to work with OC and think highly of him, but shouldn't pass on that OC is nervous about some particular aspect of the interview process.






                  share|improve this answer






















                    up vote
                    12
                    down vote



                    accepted







                    up vote
                    12
                    down vote



                    accepted






                    In my experience (US, high-tech) it's pretty normal to approach ex-colleagues at companies you're looking at. This is part of networking. OC isn't doing anything wrong or unusual. And so long as you don't create a conflict of interest, you won't be doing anything wrong by talking with him. Ignoring him, on the other hand, might make him think it's personal or that you don't want him to work there -- not what you want.



                    So go have coffee or whatever, and when the topic of his application comes up, avoid crossing boundaries on either side -- don't tell him company-confidential stuff and don't reveal anything private he tells you to your manager/HR/etc. You can't tell him about interview questions, but you can probably talk about what it's like to work there more generally, whether you're happy there, etc. Similarly, you can tell your boss that you used to work with OC and think highly of him, but shouldn't pass on that OC is nervous about some particular aspect of the interview process.






                    share|improve this answer












                    In my experience (US, high-tech) it's pretty normal to approach ex-colleagues at companies you're looking at. This is part of networking. OC isn't doing anything wrong or unusual. And so long as you don't create a conflict of interest, you won't be doing anything wrong by talking with him. Ignoring him, on the other hand, might make him think it's personal or that you don't want him to work there -- not what you want.



                    So go have coffee or whatever, and when the topic of his application comes up, avoid crossing boundaries on either side -- don't tell him company-confidential stuff and don't reveal anything private he tells you to your manager/HR/etc. You can't tell him about interview questions, but you can probably talk about what it's like to work there more generally, whether you're happy there, etc. Similarly, you can tell your boss that you used to work with OC and think highly of him, but shouldn't pass on that OC is nervous about some particular aspect of the interview process.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Oct 20 '15 at 22:15









                    Monica Cellio♦

                    43.7k17114191




                    43.7k17114191






















                        up vote
                        6
                        down vote













                        You should say you are Happy to Help to OC.



                        1. OC is a great individual at your previous company. He would potentially be one in your current company.

                        2. You could mention to your manager that you know OC. If he asks for a personal recommendation, please do give. As you already know OC is good person to have.

                        3. You could be friendly and ethical. You can say no to requests of interview questions, but you can still provide non confidential information like company work culture, how you currently enjoy your work etc.





                        share|improve this answer
























                          up vote
                          6
                          down vote













                          You should say you are Happy to Help to OC.



                          1. OC is a great individual at your previous company. He would potentially be one in your current company.

                          2. You could mention to your manager that you know OC. If he asks for a personal recommendation, please do give. As you already know OC is good person to have.

                          3. You could be friendly and ethical. You can say no to requests of interview questions, but you can still provide non confidential information like company work culture, how you currently enjoy your work etc.





                          share|improve this answer






















                            up vote
                            6
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            6
                            down vote









                            You should say you are Happy to Help to OC.



                            1. OC is a great individual at your previous company. He would potentially be one in your current company.

                            2. You could mention to your manager that you know OC. If he asks for a personal recommendation, please do give. As you already know OC is good person to have.

                            3. You could be friendly and ethical. You can say no to requests of interview questions, but you can still provide non confidential information like company work culture, how you currently enjoy your work etc.





                            share|improve this answer












                            You should say you are Happy to Help to OC.



                            1. OC is a great individual at your previous company. He would potentially be one in your current company.

                            2. You could mention to your manager that you know OC. If he asks for a personal recommendation, please do give. As you already know OC is good person to have.

                            3. You could be friendly and ethical. You can say no to requests of interview questions, but you can still provide non confidential information like company work culture, how you currently enjoy your work etc.






                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Oct 21 '15 at 1:31









                            watercooler

                            2,34911022




                            2,34911022




















                                up vote
                                1
                                down vote













                                I would ask your manager if there's anything that you shouldn't discuss with applicants, beyond the normal company confidentiality. Based on what your manager tells you, you can decide whether you think it's okay to meet with this person. If you do, and the person asks you something that you can't disclose, just tell him, "I'm sorry, but I'm not able to discuss that." If you decide you cannot meet with him, simply tell him that you're sorry, but you can't meet with him while he's in the interview process, because you're afraid of disclosing something to him.






                                share|improve this answer
























                                  up vote
                                  1
                                  down vote













                                  I would ask your manager if there's anything that you shouldn't discuss with applicants, beyond the normal company confidentiality. Based on what your manager tells you, you can decide whether you think it's okay to meet with this person. If you do, and the person asks you something that you can't disclose, just tell him, "I'm sorry, but I'm not able to discuss that." If you decide you cannot meet with him, simply tell him that you're sorry, but you can't meet with him while he's in the interview process, because you're afraid of disclosing something to him.






                                  share|improve this answer






















                                    up vote
                                    1
                                    down vote










                                    up vote
                                    1
                                    down vote









                                    I would ask your manager if there's anything that you shouldn't discuss with applicants, beyond the normal company confidentiality. Based on what your manager tells you, you can decide whether you think it's okay to meet with this person. If you do, and the person asks you something that you can't disclose, just tell him, "I'm sorry, but I'm not able to discuss that." If you decide you cannot meet with him, simply tell him that you're sorry, but you can't meet with him while he's in the interview process, because you're afraid of disclosing something to him.






                                    share|improve this answer












                                    I would ask your manager if there's anything that you shouldn't discuss with applicants, beyond the normal company confidentiality. Based on what your manager tells you, you can decide whether you think it's okay to meet with this person. If you do, and the person asks you something that you can't disclose, just tell him, "I'm sorry, but I'm not able to discuss that." If you decide you cannot meet with him, simply tell him that you're sorry, but you can't meet with him while he's in the interview process, because you're afraid of disclosing something to him.







                                    share|improve this answer












                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer










                                    answered Oct 20 '15 at 22:16









                                    Kai

                                    3,358921




                                    3,358921






















                                         

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