Job application without current employer knowing

[summersoversnoopy]

How do you apply for a new job without your current employer knowing? Obviously they contact previous employer before interview for references then you need to attend the interview - how can this be achieved without current employer knowing you are looking elsewhere? I would really like to apply for another job without my current employer knowing - any advice? thank you:)

On your application form tick the box which says do not contact referees prior to interview. Book annual leave for the interview and if they ask say it is a Dentist appointment

Where are you working - public sector?

In the rest of the economy, you always apply without your employer knowing - having bunked off the for the interview etc.

Current references will not be taken up until you have accepted the new job.

Employers generally don't request references until an offer is made - or about to be made. There's no way (in my experience at least!) that references are taken up before interviews. That would be an administration nightmare for employers.

So you should be able to apply and interview at will, and it's only when you get an offer, your current employer will need to be informed.

Normally they don't ask for references until they offer you the job (I know there are some exceptions to this i.e. Teachers), it is acceptable to leave your referees off your CV.

For interviews is it not possible to take a day of annual leave?

Agree with pp just take a days annual leave for the interview. You only need to tell your current employer when you hand your notice in.

I work in the public sector, guessing that’s why I can’t apply without employer knowing:(

I worked in the public sector for 20 years and always applied for jobs without my employer knowing.

I don't really know why you think you can't apply without your employer knowing?

When you fill in application just tick the box that says they are not allowed to take up references prior to interview. I always did . It doesn't disadvantage you.

There doesn’t seem to be a box for that on the application forms I have looked at, time off is difficult too. I will have another look, many thanks for your replies - there must be a way!

I recently changed jobs within the public sector without them finding out until I accepted the offer. At that point references were taken up.

Go for it. What’s the worse that’ll happen? Your line manager will realise you’re not happy - well as a line manager I would be disappointed but wouldn’t stop you.

Obviously they contact previous employer before interview for references then you need to attend the interview

If you are looking to leave the organisation and go external, you have control over when you tell your current employer, by ensuring you do not give the new company clearance to contact them, until you have been made an offer of employment. You can even decline them to contact your current employer at all, especially if you have meaningful employment history in your previous role (eg 10 years, but only 1 year at current employer).

If the new job is an internal move, the normal protocol is to inform your manager only if you are accepted for interview as it gives them the heads up you're looking for a new role.

thank you for your replies:)