latency of inter-corporate grape vine

June 7, 2010 9:25 AM

I applied for a job through a recruiter. It turns out that the job is at a company that my boss' boss used to work for. What are the chances that my boss' boss will get wind of the fact that I am looking for a new job? I am in IT.
posted by goethean to Work & Money (7 answers total)

Best answer: Depends on several factors relating to your boss's boss and the hiring structure of the company you applied for - if he was tight with the department when he left and maintains close contact, then there is a possibility they might call up and ask about you.

I wouldn't really be worried about it if the company you work for and the company you're applying to are sizeable companies. The HR people will be sorting the resumes to begin with and probably pass along your resume directly to the person who would be your boss, rather than anyone higher up. Unless this new boss person is buddy-buddy with the person in question, and you particularly pique his interest, then he probably won't bring it up until after an interview at least.
posted by lizbunny at 9:41 AM on June 7, 2010

How high up are you, how big is your company, and how big is the other company?

Like, if your boss's boss worked for IBM, and you applied to IBM, and you're not a VP-level candidate, and you're not high-level at your current company, the odds are tiny.

If you applied for a senior position at a five person startup that your boss's boss founded, then the odds approach 100%.
posted by zippy at 9:41 AM on June 7, 2010

Response by poster: the other company is very big (you have shopped there). My company is mid-sized (hundreds of employees). I am a low-level grunt.
posted by goethean at 9:46 AM on June 7, 2010

Best answer: I'd say the chances are pretty slim then. It's likely that anyone in a management position at a company that size is aware of the implications of chatting to your current employer about your application before you get hired. I assume you're not using anyone at your existing employer as a reference anyway, but they won't even check your references without permission from you.
posted by IanMorr at 10:09 AM on June 7, 2010

Best answer: the other company is very big (you have shopped there). My company is mid-sized (hundreds of employees). I am a low-level grunt.

The chances are tiny.
posted by zippy at 10:13 AM on June 7, 2010

And even if they do find out...it's not like it's against the law to explore your options. If anything, it might be an opportunity for a conversation about what is lacking in your current job that led you to explore your options.
posted by COD at 11:07 AM on June 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

Recruiter talking here ...

If you haven't shared your concern with the recruiter, do it NOW! No one has more incentive to protect your interests in this situation.
posted by John Borrowman at 1:16 PM on June 7, 2010 [1 favorite]