How to move on to another job?

[Taz_Zoee]

That's how my company is. HR can only say an employee worked there and the time frame.
But Jessika's point is her current employer doesn't know she's looking for another job. So even someone calling to verify employment could cause issues for her.

[Jessika]

It will all work out the way it's supposed to.

Story of my life so far, and no complaints about where I've ended up. These were pretty much the exact words I needed to hear

That's how my company is. HR can only say an employee worked there and the time frame.
But Jessika's point is her current employer doesn't know she's looking for another job. So even someone calling to verify employment could cause issues for her.

Yes - exactly. And the "law" is they can only confirm employment. But in this industry, doctors are all friends, or they at least talk... they love to check resources on potential employees. So eventhough they are only allowed to verify employment, I know more is said. As I previously mentioned, my current boss called my previous employer without my knowledge or consent, and despite the fact she was not listed on my references. And I have a feeling other doctors are likely to do the same. Also, I work in a VERY small clinic. The HR is just our office manager, if not my boss herself. It isn't like I work in a corporate company where I am only a name.

[Edwina's Secretary]

There is no law about what a employer can or cannot say. There are only things it is stupid for an employer to say (and stupid is not illegal yet...)

With that...most employer are respectful enough not to contact your current employer without your permission. You do not want to work for one that would.

With that...from my 20+ years in hr...do not...repeat DO NOT quit until you have another job. Employers are leery of people who quit without another job. Lack of income is not the leap of faith you want to make. If I see someone who quit without another job I suspect they were near to being pushed out the door or they were actually fired or they are flaky.

Do not...DO NOT EVER say anything bad about your current employer. If someone is willing to tell me bad things about their current - or any former employer it is a GIANT red flag.

There are ways to be positive about anybody and any job. Practice doing that.

So...don't quit until you have an offer...don't worry about whether or not your current employer will be contact...just very politely say...I am still employed so please do not contact my current employer until you have made me an offer and be postitive!

[mrspunkysmom]

There is no law about what a employer can or cannot say. There are only things it is stupid for an employer to say (and stupid is not illegal yet...)

With that...most employer are respectful enough not to contact your current employer without your permission. You do not want to work for one that would.

With that...from my 20+ years in hr...do not...repeat DO NOT quit until you have another job. Employers are leery of people who quit without another job. Lack of income is not the leap of faith you want to make. If I see someone who quit without another job I suspect they were near to being pushed out the door or they were actually fired or they are flaky.

Do not...DO NOT EVER say anything bad about your current employer. If someone is willing to tell me bad things about their current - or any former employer it is a GIANT red flag.

There are ways to be positive about anybody and any job. Practice doing that.

So...don't quit until you have an offer...don't worry about whether or not your current employer will be contact...just very politely say...I am still employed so please do not contact my current employer until you have made me an offer and be postitive!

She's right on 100%. In my case, the only way out of this situation, in the state where I live, was to leave. Just too much abuse. We have no employee rights in this state. Seriously. I wouldn't trash another employer; it doesn't work and isn't positive, even if your employer is awful.

Just keep looking and working and hopefully it will work out!

[Jessika]

Oh I never planned on saying anything negative about my current employer, unless you would say saying something like "I would like a job with more opportunity for growth" is negative? I guess I can't say that "I don't feel fully utilized at my current job" to prospective future employer or would that be in a negative connotation as well?

I did a lot of research tonight on clinics nearby me. Hiring or not, I plan on writing out personalized cover letters for each clinic I'm interested in working in. There is actually one pretty close by that a friend and classmate from vet tech school is working at!! Don't think they're hiring, but at least I have an "insider" who can give a good word for me if they are hiring!

This is just so scary. Say I do get a job offer at another clinic -- how do I approach my current boss? She is the type that will spew "communication is key!!" to me; she will probably be "offended" that I did not approach her more about these issues (again, I have brought up some to her in the past, but not all of them. When I brought up my commute and the price of gas coupled with the fact that my car gets crappy gas mileage, she gave me a $0.05 raise....................). Also, from what I've been reading on my veterinary forums, the standard yearly raise is 10-15%, or $1; I received a combined ~7% raise for my yearly raise AND passing state boards; that's a 3% yearly raise and a little over 3% for passing state boards and she acted like it was a HUMONGOUS raise... seriously, she kept saying "this is a HUGE raise!!!!".

Bahhhh!! Thank you all for allowing me an unbiased area to vent!!!!! It isn't like I have never quit a job before!!! But every other job I've quit in the past I've had a stone cold reason (started school, moved hours away, divorced, etc). Never because I wasn't "happy".

[Alysser]

Could you possibly just leave it as, "a better opportunity has been presented to me" or something like that? I have never actually "quit" a job either, but then again, I've never had a real-world career YET. I don't think she really needs to know all the details personally.

[kitten645]

I agree. A simple "I've been offered an opportunity and I feel it's in my best interest to take it" is fine. No details. If you are valued, she will offer to negotiate but I doubt it. $.05 raise is an insult. I know, it's happened to me. She's essentially telling you that your time is worth five cents an our more with all your schooling, training and loyalty? Would you leave a nickle tip @ a restaurant? Better to say it just isn't in the budget and show appreciation in other ways? Thank you note, gift card occasionally? Your first responsibility is to yourself. You owe her nothing. Everything ES said comes from alot of knowledge and experience. Good luck! It's nerve racking I know but this too shall pass!

[Jessika]

Could you possibly just leave it as, "a better opportunity has been presented to me" or something like that? I have never actually "quit" a job either, but then again, I've never had a real-world career YET. I don't think she really needs to know all the details personally.

That's pretty much how I think I would present it. I would not do it until I had a job offer, and my honest-to-goodness main reason is the commute and gas. Pay, too, but I don't want to present it to her with reasons that she thinks she can work on fixing when I've already brought them up before.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Oh I never planned on saying anything negative about my current employer, unless you would say saying something like "I would like a job with more opportunity for growth" is negative? I guess I can't say that "I don't feel fully utilized at my current job" to prospective future employer or would that be in a negative connotation as well?

I have more to contribute than I can in my current position. It has been a wonderful training opportunity, but now I am ready to take it to the next level.

I did a lot of research tonight on clinics nearby me. Hiring or not, I plan on writing out personalized cover letters for each clinic I'm interested in working in. There is actually one pretty close by that a friend and classmate from vet tech school is working at!! Don't think they're hiring, but at least I have an "insider" who can give a good word for me if they are hiring!

Most job opportunities come from someone who knows someone!

Say I do get a job offer at another clinic -- how do I approach my current boss? She is the type that will spew "communication is key!!" to me; she will probably be "offended" that I did not approach her more about these issues (again, I have brought up some to her in the past, but not all of them. When I brought up my commute and the price of gas coupled with the fact that my car gets crappy gas mileage, she gave me a $0.05 raise....................). Also, from what I've been reading on my veterinary forums, the standard yearly raise is 10-15%, or $1; I received a combined ~7% raise for my yearly raise AND passing state boards; that's a 3% yearly raise and a little over 3% for passing state boards and she acted like it was a HUMONGOUS raise... seriously, she kept saying "this is a HUGE raise!!!!".

Let me say one thing...I haven't seen double digit raises in a long, long, long, long time.... 5% is outstanding these days...2.5 - 3% is normal. So is 0%. Careful with your expectations! She has not been able to charge more and her revenue is probably level at best.That said - she is your boss - not your mom. All you need to say is..."I have been presented with an opportunity about which I am very excited. I thank you for giving me the start in my career that will allow me to grow. You have been super. I know this is the best thing for me. What can I do to help with the transition?"