Speculative job chat - how to act?

JebRel

Hi guys,

I'm hoping you sensible lot could help give me some pointers for a sort-of interview next month.

A bit of background: I've been in my current job for five years, and while I love the work and get on well with my immediate team I dislike the wider company and the overall direction it appears to be heading in. So I've casually been looking for another job for the last two months, applied for one (and had several interviews for it), but wasn't selected.

A few weeks ago I had dinner with a colleague at a semi-competitor, who mentioned that their company was potentially looking to hire another staff member (for the same sort of job I'm doing now).

Last week I sent a speculative application to the company and they've asked me to come in for a chat next month. I'm pleased that they didn't immediately turn me down, but I'm not sure how far I treat the meeting as an interview and how to act. Do I prepare a business plan? Take some of my previous work in to show them? etc etc

Another thing I'm unsure of is whether I tell my manager about this meeting, and the fact that I'm considering leaving. I have a huge amount of respect for him and would hate for him to hear about the meeting from someone else (not unlikely as we're in a small sector). But likewise, if nothing comes of the job chat then telling my manager I'm thinking of leaving isn't going to help our working relationship. What to do?!

Would greatly appreciate any advice.

Cheers

Emmzi

prepare and dress as if it were a formal interview.

getmore4less

Any non competative clauses in the current contract

Its a business meeting/interview

Don't tell the current company untill you have an uncondition offer

Sambucus_Nigra

If it doesn't work out and he does hear about it - it was a fishing exercise on your part, to gain competitive advantage and find out what the competitor is up to.

If it does, it was still a fishing exercise on your part, but the offer was too good to resist.

VfM4meplse

Your "chat" is definitely an interview, find out all you can about the company, have good examples of your achievements to hand and potential ways in wwhich your experince can further the company's objectives.

There's no need to tell your boss - go to confession this w/end, or tell a tree if you need get it out of your system.

**Juice**

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Your "chat" is definitely an interview, find out all you can about the company, have good examples of your achievements to hand and potential ways in wwhich your experince can further the company's objectives.

There's no need to tell your boss - go to confession this w/end, or tell a tree if you need get it out of your system.

I agree with this!

InsideInsurance

JebRel wrote: »

I had dinner with a colleague at a semi-competitor

How can they be both a colleague (ie someone you work with) and a semi-competitor?

Whilst you should treat it as an interview make sure you are appropriately cautious in what you say regarding your current employers activities, particularly if you are intending to:

JebRel wrote: »

prepare a business plan? Take some of my previous work in to show them? etc

Especially if you dont get a worthwhile job offer you dont want it found out that you were giving corporate sensitive information to a competitor.

Mistral001

Agree with the rest. Treat it like an interview. I would go further and say that if they seem not to be treating it as an interview, then you need to make it clear that you are treating like an interview. If they reply in terms of "Oh we thought we could chat first" then be careful and do not give anything away about your present job or employer.

JebRel

I've finally had a chance to get to a computer and read all of your excellent advice - many thanks all.

getmore4less - there are some clauses in the contract but they wouldn't be an issue with this potential job (the clauses apply to sales)

VfM4meplse - you're right, telling my boss definitely isn't a good idea (the tree was very understanding)

InsideInsurance - I've worked with them in the past, but sure, let's say 'acquaintance' instead! Yes one of my concerns is that I tell the prospective employer some of my ideas, they say thanks, but don't offer me a position and keep my ideas!

Mistral001 - you've touched upon another one of my concerns, namely that I turn up and they don't treat the chat as seriously as an interview

Thanks again all for your suggestions - I'll treat the meeting just as I would an interview arranged through 'official' channels. I've never tried to get a job that wasn't advertised so this is all new for me!

Hezzawithkids

Sounds like you've got a great opportunity here through your own networking, so go for it and good luck to you! For future reference, maybe you could go onto develop your networking skills, they are a great way to make contact with potential future employers!

JebRel

Hi guys, I really appreciated your advice and am keeping it all in mind for when I go to meet the company in a couple of weeks' time.

Just a bit of an update as I've had an interesting month so far which could change things. When we came back from Christmas my manager asked if I would be interested in being promoted and taking on more of his responsibilities. I said yes, and I genuinely am, but I'm still concerned about the things I dislike about the wider company - although perhaps this gives me an opportunity to influence the way things are done more.

While the offer was very appreciated and gave me a boost, it's not the best timing - if the meeting with the prospective employer goes well and they make me an offer, I'll also need to consider the offer from my current employer (not that they've made me a formal one or indicated salary etc).

Essentially if I come across as playing games with the new company (salary negotiations etc), or turn them down, I've effectively ruined my chances of ever being considered for another job with them.

Anyway I'm getting very ahead of myself so I'll stop there - why worry about it unless I have to!