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[Azih]

So I'm working in the IT department of a financial company right now. Started Sep 04 on a one year contract, pretty happy here, no complaints. About a month ago I saw a job posting for a permanent position at a software dev place that'll be starting in September. That seems perfect and I apply.

So yesterday my boss pulls me aside and says that the feedback he's been getting on me is good and since he's got his department budget for this year he's willing to extend my contract through December, company beureaucracy being what it is it'll take a few weeks to get the new contract to me and signed. I'm pretty happy because hey, job security for an extra three months is great.

When I get home from work and check my mail, a message from the software dev place is sitting in my mail box saying my resume has been accepted and the next stage of the process is a written test on Saturday.

If my boss hadn't told me of the plans to extend my contract then none of this would be a problem (I woulda just gone ahead with the test and made a decision to go or stay if I was offered the position), but since I've gave him a verbal confirmation yesterday that I would be willing to accept an extended contract at the current place I'm sorta confused. A friend of mine says it would be professional courtesy to tell him that I am pursuing this other potential opportunity, but my sister says that there's no point especially since I'm at least two recruitment stages away from this other place even offering me a job (test, and then at least one interview for sure).

So What do you guys suggest? I'm going to go do the test for sure because it'll be a good brush up on my atrophying C++ skills in any case and I'm definetly one to keep my options open. But should I tell my boss or no?

If I'm going to tell him I gotta tell him either today or tomorrow (and in both cases I'd say that I got the email 'just yesterday')

HELP ME GAF!

 

[DarienA]

Never, ever, EVER tell your current employer that you are job hunting... I don't care how coozy you are with your boss, etc... no, no, NO. Now if you receive an actual salaried offer from the other place, THEN you can come back to your employer and possibly talk about a counter offer.

That's the rule I've used over the years and it's guided me well.

 

[Fragamemnon]

The time to discuss it with your employer is after you receive the software offer from the development firm, if you get one. Your answer to your current boss' proposition is still quite ethical-should the other job pursuit not pan out, then you will be more than happy to accept the extension.

If you do get an actual offer, then before you accept it, you go to your current employer and discuss that you are debating accepting it and try to-if you want-land a position at the current company. If you'd dead set on taking the new job, then it's your duty to help provide project transition and responsibly close as much business as possible before the start date of your new job.

This is all "general" advice-all bosses are different and what may be possible and even the intelligent thing to do for one boss may not be the best thing to do for a boss with a different personality.

 

[Azih]

Cool, thanks for the advice guys. I'll do as you say. Hopefully an offer or otherwise will come from the other place soon, before the new contract gets here. Otherwise I might end up with the slightly awkward situation of signing an extension to my current contract and then the next day saying 'sorry, I've got this other offer'.

 

[8bit]

Your friend is a fool.

 

[AntoneM]

if anything I would explain what's happening to the other company so that they can hurry and get your through the hiring process (tests, intervies, etc.) that way they can review the info and make an offer before you would have to make the decision to sign an extention at your current job.