Approached by a rival company

Santiago1_2

Hello,

This is my first message in this forum, hopefully I won't be booed or anything :rolleyes:

I am being 'head-hunted' by a direct rival to the company I currently work for. To be honest, I have not been looking for a job, my current position feels quite secure and the money/position/location/etc. are decent. I have so far played along and I am in some sort of discussions with the other company (which is a bit smaller than the one I am currently working for and the job profile is somewhat different to what I am currently involved in).

I do feel a bit twitchy about talking to them and I am not sure what questions I would like to ask you ppl in this forum )!) but I would appreciate any advice for dealing with the 'competitors'. For instance, during the initial contacts, how much do I need to reveal of what exactly I am working on? About my salary? Do I ask about my salary prospects with them? Do I agree on the spot to meet them? Do all these show something (negative) about my loyalty to my current company?

Thanks in advance for yaking time to reply to such a vague post!

1984ReturnsForReal_2

How did the headhunters get your details?

Caroline73_2

Why not see what they want - don't give anything about your current role away, see what they offer and they go back to your current company, explain you've been head unted and ask for a payrise

-BA-

I would give nothing away about what you currently do in your role, what your salary is or anything that could be misconstrued by your current employers. The reason I say this is that discussing salaries can often be classed as a disciplinary issue within a company when done with colleagues, let alone when done with a direct competitor. Be up front with them and state why you aren't prepared to share the information, don't be afraid to say you are happy with your current situation and have agreed to meet them out of curiousity and politeness. Cover your back and at the first sign of dodgy dealings, go straight to your boss.

I am a firm believer of, "If it's not broken, don't try to fix it." I am also not one to stifle ambition but I would play your cards very close to your chest.

pinkshoes

Check your contract carefully to see if there's anything about not being permitted to work for a competitor...

A friend of mine was headhunted by a competitor, ended up taking the job for good money. The old company tried to sue him for breach of contract (i.e. no working for competitor within 12 months of leaving), and then after 18 months with the competitor, he was made redundant, as they brought him in for a specific role to do a specific project, then when it was all finished, they no longer needed him!

-BA-

Also in support of that, leaving your current employer will almost certainly burn your bridges with them. Politely refusing the headhunters, quoting things such as being incredibly flattered, not inclined to make such a drastic desicion due to the current climate, etc, will only leave you in a good light with them and with opportunities for the future.

eamon

As with other posters be cautious. But I would be honest with present employer and ask them straight up. But don't put a gun to their heads in case they call your bluff.

DKLS

Like the other posters be cautious, I was headhunted about this time last year. The package was great, but I was way oversold the role and the company.
Within 3 days I knew I had made a mistake, I hated the new job with a passion, couldn't abide the back biting staff and the Muppet MD, and it took me another 6 months to find another role as I had burnt some bridges in the process of moving.

Santiago1_2

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

How did the headhunters get your details?

Not sure. Is this important?

Santiago1_2

-BA- wrote: »

The reason I say this is that discussing salaries can often be classed as a disciplinary issue within a company when done with colleagues, let alone when done with a direct competitor.

Thanks for this. I had gathered that but is good to have it confirmed.

Santiago1_2

Thanks to everybody for the good and cautious advice. I would like to ask you all this:

- assuming that there will be some telephone discussion and potentially a more formal interview later, would it make sense to let my current employer know about all this? If yes, when? Now, after the phone call or after the interview or even perhaps after a potential job offer? I am not really the kind of person who will go an demand a salary raise 'or else I'm gone' and I do not believe in destroying long-term relationships in the name fo ambition.

Many thanks!