Allowing a potential employer to contact current/former employer “After acceptance of conditional offer”

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I am filling out a job application, and one section says




When may we contact this employer?



[ ] Now



[ ] After acceptance of conditional offer




I am wondering which option is better, from the prospective employer's point of view? It feels like "Now" is the best choice, but I am not sure.







share|improve this question




























    up vote
    10
    down vote

    favorite
    1












    I am filling out a job application, and one section says




    When may we contact this employer?



    [ ] Now



    [ ] After acceptance of conditional offer




    I am wondering which option is better, from the prospective employer's point of view? It feels like "Now" is the best choice, but I am not sure.







    share|improve this question
























      up vote
      10
      down vote

      favorite
      1









      up vote
      10
      down vote

      favorite
      1






      1





      I am filling out a job application, and one section says




      When may we contact this employer?



      [ ] Now



      [ ] After acceptance of conditional offer




      I am wondering which option is better, from the prospective employer's point of view? It feels like "Now" is the best choice, but I am not sure.







      share|improve this question














      I am filling out a job application, and one section says




      When may we contact this employer?



      [ ] Now



      [ ] After acceptance of conditional offer




      I am wondering which option is better, from the prospective employer's point of view? It feels like "Now" is the best choice, but I am not sure.









      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Jul 30 '12 at 18:58









      yoozer8

      4,10442955




      4,10442955










      asked May 21 '12 at 18:12









      Adel

      3,571104180




      3,571104180




















          1 Answer
          1






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          12
          down vote



          accepted










          Choosing the "Now" option opens up the door for your current employer finding out that you're looking for a new job and have actually applied somewhere that is taking your application seriously. If you don't end up getting a job offer at that company, then you have uneasiness with your current employer who knows you're looking.



          Choosing the "After conditional offer" option limits that since they're only contacting the current employer after they've shown a more genuine interest in hiring you. This is helpful in keeping your application 'secret' from your currently employer until closer to the point where you'd actually be transferring jobs. If you don't have anything to hide, there's no reason it should eliminate you at either stage in the game.



          If you're not currently employed, choose the "Now" option. There's no reason to beat around the bush. They're basically saying they are going to check at some point, so just get it out of the way rather than waiting until later. If you do have something to hide, don't make them waste their time because it's possible they'll take it a lot more seriously if you make them wait longer to get the information.






          share|improve this answer
















          • 1




            This is a very good answer. I would hope most people who have a job request the second option. The response to get into contact with your supervisor before the offer really is meant for people not currently working with said supervisor for whatever reason. Waiting to tell your employeer until you have an offer on the table is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, they wouldn't tell you until they were ready to let you go, honestly it stops any possible "bad" blood.
            – Ramhound
            May 22 '12 at 16:21










          • I am curious how common it is for new employers to do something like this -- post hiring background check with the most recent or one of the previous employers. Any insight into this particular practice?
            – amphibient
            Sep 26 '12 at 19:10










          • In many places, the only thing the previous employer can legally respond to is, "Were they employed by you and in what position?" And even in places where more is legal, many companies will not say anything for fear of getting sued.
            – Peter Rowell
            Sep 26 '12 at 20:55










          • @foampile: It's not really a full background check, but most companies probably want to verify that you did work at these places at some point. Like stated, it's more to prevent uneasiness at the current job. You don't want to verify their employment there if it's going to cause problems with their boss, now that they know they're applying elsewhere.
            – animuson♦
            Sep 27 '12 at 1:52










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          1 Answer
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          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

          votes








          up vote
          12
          down vote



          accepted










          Choosing the "Now" option opens up the door for your current employer finding out that you're looking for a new job and have actually applied somewhere that is taking your application seriously. If you don't end up getting a job offer at that company, then you have uneasiness with your current employer who knows you're looking.



          Choosing the "After conditional offer" option limits that since they're only contacting the current employer after they've shown a more genuine interest in hiring you. This is helpful in keeping your application 'secret' from your currently employer until closer to the point where you'd actually be transferring jobs. If you don't have anything to hide, there's no reason it should eliminate you at either stage in the game.



          If you're not currently employed, choose the "Now" option. There's no reason to beat around the bush. They're basically saying they are going to check at some point, so just get it out of the way rather than waiting until later. If you do have something to hide, don't make them waste their time because it's possible they'll take it a lot more seriously if you make them wait longer to get the information.






          share|improve this answer
















          • 1




            This is a very good answer. I would hope most people who have a job request the second option. The response to get into contact with your supervisor before the offer really is meant for people not currently working with said supervisor for whatever reason. Waiting to tell your employeer until you have an offer on the table is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, they wouldn't tell you until they were ready to let you go, honestly it stops any possible "bad" blood.
            – Ramhound
            May 22 '12 at 16:21










          • I am curious how common it is for new employers to do something like this -- post hiring background check with the most recent or one of the previous employers. Any insight into this particular practice?
            – amphibient
            Sep 26 '12 at 19:10










          • In many places, the only thing the previous employer can legally respond to is, "Were they employed by you and in what position?" And even in places where more is legal, many companies will not say anything for fear of getting sued.
            – Peter Rowell
            Sep 26 '12 at 20:55










          • @foampile: It's not really a full background check, but most companies probably want to verify that you did work at these places at some point. Like stated, it's more to prevent uneasiness at the current job. You don't want to verify their employment there if it's going to cause problems with their boss, now that they know they're applying elsewhere.
            – animuson♦
            Sep 27 '12 at 1:52














          up vote
          12
          down vote



          accepted










          Choosing the "Now" option opens up the door for your current employer finding out that you're looking for a new job and have actually applied somewhere that is taking your application seriously. If you don't end up getting a job offer at that company, then you have uneasiness with your current employer who knows you're looking.



          Choosing the "After conditional offer" option limits that since they're only contacting the current employer after they've shown a more genuine interest in hiring you. This is helpful in keeping your application 'secret' from your currently employer until closer to the point where you'd actually be transferring jobs. If you don't have anything to hide, there's no reason it should eliminate you at either stage in the game.



          If you're not currently employed, choose the "Now" option. There's no reason to beat around the bush. They're basically saying they are going to check at some point, so just get it out of the way rather than waiting until later. If you do have something to hide, don't make them waste their time because it's possible they'll take it a lot more seriously if you make them wait longer to get the information.






          share|improve this answer
















          • 1




            This is a very good answer. I would hope most people who have a job request the second option. The response to get into contact with your supervisor before the offer really is meant for people not currently working with said supervisor for whatever reason. Waiting to tell your employeer until you have an offer on the table is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, they wouldn't tell you until they were ready to let you go, honestly it stops any possible "bad" blood.
            – Ramhound
            May 22 '12 at 16:21










          • I am curious how common it is for new employers to do something like this -- post hiring background check with the most recent or one of the previous employers. Any insight into this particular practice?
            – amphibient
            Sep 26 '12 at 19:10










          • In many places, the only thing the previous employer can legally respond to is, "Were they employed by you and in what position?" And even in places where more is legal, many companies will not say anything for fear of getting sued.
            – Peter Rowell
            Sep 26 '12 at 20:55










          • @foampile: It's not really a full background check, but most companies probably want to verify that you did work at these places at some point. Like stated, it's more to prevent uneasiness at the current job. You don't want to verify their employment there if it's going to cause problems with their boss, now that they know they're applying elsewhere.
            – animuson♦
            Sep 27 '12 at 1:52












          up vote
          12
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          12
          down vote



          accepted






          Choosing the "Now" option opens up the door for your current employer finding out that you're looking for a new job and have actually applied somewhere that is taking your application seriously. If you don't end up getting a job offer at that company, then you have uneasiness with your current employer who knows you're looking.



          Choosing the "After conditional offer" option limits that since they're only contacting the current employer after they've shown a more genuine interest in hiring you. This is helpful in keeping your application 'secret' from your currently employer until closer to the point where you'd actually be transferring jobs. If you don't have anything to hide, there's no reason it should eliminate you at either stage in the game.



          If you're not currently employed, choose the "Now" option. There's no reason to beat around the bush. They're basically saying they are going to check at some point, so just get it out of the way rather than waiting until later. If you do have something to hide, don't make them waste their time because it's possible they'll take it a lot more seriously if you make them wait longer to get the information.






          share|improve this answer












          Choosing the "Now" option opens up the door for your current employer finding out that you're looking for a new job and have actually applied somewhere that is taking your application seriously. If you don't end up getting a job offer at that company, then you have uneasiness with your current employer who knows you're looking.



          Choosing the "After conditional offer" option limits that since they're only contacting the current employer after they've shown a more genuine interest in hiring you. This is helpful in keeping your application 'secret' from your currently employer until closer to the point where you'd actually be transferring jobs. If you don't have anything to hide, there's no reason it should eliminate you at either stage in the game.



          If you're not currently employed, choose the "Now" option. There's no reason to beat around the bush. They're basically saying they are going to check at some point, so just get it out of the way rather than waiting until later. If you do have something to hide, don't make them waste their time because it's possible they'll take it a lot more seriously if you make them wait longer to get the information.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered May 21 '12 at 18:27









          animuson♦

          3,016124068




          3,016124068







          • 1




            This is a very good answer. I would hope most people who have a job request the second option. The response to get into contact with your supervisor before the offer really is meant for people not currently working with said supervisor for whatever reason. Waiting to tell your employeer until you have an offer on the table is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, they wouldn't tell you until they were ready to let you go, honestly it stops any possible "bad" blood.
            – Ramhound
            May 22 '12 at 16:21










          • I am curious how common it is for new employers to do something like this -- post hiring background check with the most recent or one of the previous employers. Any insight into this particular practice?
            – amphibient
            Sep 26 '12 at 19:10










          • In many places, the only thing the previous employer can legally respond to is, "Were they employed by you and in what position?" And even in places where more is legal, many companies will not say anything for fear of getting sued.
            – Peter Rowell
            Sep 26 '12 at 20:55










          • @foampile: It's not really a full background check, but most companies probably want to verify that you did work at these places at some point. Like stated, it's more to prevent uneasiness at the current job. You don't want to verify their employment there if it's going to cause problems with their boss, now that they know they're applying elsewhere.
            – animuson♦
            Sep 27 '12 at 1:52












          • 1




            This is a very good answer. I would hope most people who have a job request the second option. The response to get into contact with your supervisor before the offer really is meant for people not currently working with said supervisor for whatever reason. Waiting to tell your employeer until you have an offer on the table is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, they wouldn't tell you until they were ready to let you go, honestly it stops any possible "bad" blood.
            – Ramhound
            May 22 '12 at 16:21










          • I am curious how common it is for new employers to do something like this -- post hiring background check with the most recent or one of the previous employers. Any insight into this particular practice?
            – amphibient
            Sep 26 '12 at 19:10










          • In many places, the only thing the previous employer can legally respond to is, "Were they employed by you and in what position?" And even in places where more is legal, many companies will not say anything for fear of getting sued.
            – Peter Rowell
            Sep 26 '12 at 20:55










          • @foampile: It's not really a full background check, but most companies probably want to verify that you did work at these places at some point. Like stated, it's more to prevent uneasiness at the current job. You don't want to verify their employment there if it's going to cause problems with their boss, now that they know they're applying elsewhere.
            – animuson♦
            Sep 27 '12 at 1:52







          1




          1




          This is a very good answer. I would hope most people who have a job request the second option. The response to get into contact with your supervisor before the offer really is meant for people not currently working with said supervisor for whatever reason. Waiting to tell your employeer until you have an offer on the table is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, they wouldn't tell you until they were ready to let you go, honestly it stops any possible "bad" blood.
          – Ramhound
          May 22 '12 at 16:21




          This is a very good answer. I would hope most people who have a job request the second option. The response to get into contact with your supervisor before the offer really is meant for people not currently working with said supervisor for whatever reason. Waiting to tell your employeer until you have an offer on the table is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, they wouldn't tell you until they were ready to let you go, honestly it stops any possible "bad" blood.
          – Ramhound
          May 22 '12 at 16:21












          I am curious how common it is for new employers to do something like this -- post hiring background check with the most recent or one of the previous employers. Any insight into this particular practice?
          – amphibient
          Sep 26 '12 at 19:10




          I am curious how common it is for new employers to do something like this -- post hiring background check with the most recent or one of the previous employers. Any insight into this particular practice?
          – amphibient
          Sep 26 '12 at 19:10












          In many places, the only thing the previous employer can legally respond to is, "Were they employed by you and in what position?" And even in places where more is legal, many companies will not say anything for fear of getting sued.
          – Peter Rowell
          Sep 26 '12 at 20:55




          In many places, the only thing the previous employer can legally respond to is, "Were they employed by you and in what position?" And even in places where more is legal, many companies will not say anything for fear of getting sued.
          – Peter Rowell
          Sep 26 '12 at 20:55












          @foampile: It's not really a full background check, but most companies probably want to verify that you did work at these places at some point. Like stated, it's more to prevent uneasiness at the current job. You don't want to verify their employment there if it's going to cause problems with their boss, now that they know they're applying elsewhere.
          – animuson♦
          Sep 27 '12 at 1:52




          @foampile: It's not really a full background check, but most companies probably want to verify that you did work at these places at some point. Like stated, it's more to prevent uneasiness at the current job. You don't want to verify their employment there if it's going to cause problems with their boss, now that they know they're applying elsewhere.
          – animuson♦
          Sep 27 '12 at 1:52












           

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