[win2bet]

I’m currently working at an 11/hr small CPA firm, and had promised my current employer about 3 weeks ago I would stay this tax season (after unsuccesfully finding a new job)

So now a few days ago HR from a well known midsize firm in NYC called about a possible employment opp- I got the call while at my current job and I told HR i cant since i promised i would stay here (since my coworker hears everything I say on the phone and is my boss’s pet, didnt want him to tell him I may leave) , but i would be interested in summer/ fall. I thought it over & decided that I have to pursue this oppurtunity now.

Any advice on how I should contact HR? I dont want to look like a person who breaks promises, should I say i spoke to my current boss and hes okay with me going to the new job (before even talking to him) & see if they are still interested. or maybe spin it a different way?

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[Anonymous]

Go with your gut

[win2bet]

Gut says to try to secure this new job, & once I have a good feeling that I will actually get the new job then I will tell my current boss I am out

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[Anonymous]

I'd wait until you def have the new job, then let your current boss know.

Good feelings can be deceiving.

[Anonymous]

1) Never take calls about future employment at work. Let it go to voicemail and step out and call back. If you accidentally pick up, explain to the person that called that you are currently in the office and ask if it would be possible to call back in five minutes.

2) Call HR back, explain to them you changed your mind and are very interested in the position if it's still available. No need to say more than that. Don't lie. They probably don't care how your current boss feels about losing you before busy season.

3) Don't tell your current boss until you have your offer letter in hand.

[How many letters do you need]

I would definitely take that approach. Never tell your boss you are looking it just doesn't do anybody any good. As for how you approach HR….I would just say something to the tune of….”after some contemplation and followup discussion with my boss, a potential opportunity to at your firm is something I just can't pass up. I would prefer a start date after busy season but if that will essentially eliminate the opportunity I would consider an earlier start date…” or something like that.

As a side note…consider just not picking up the phone at work. Be sure you have a professional and clear voice mail message clearly identifying yourself. ..but once you do let that sucker go to voice mail and call them back as soon as you can….good luck!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[mla1169]

What AICPAs Beach said, word for word.

Do NOT under any circumstances say you've already talked to your boss about this. You'll be called out on that pretty quick when they ask to call for a reference and you haven't given your current boss a heads up. Theres no need to lie, just say you reconsidered.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
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Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[win2bet]

@bill @howmanyletters Thanks for all the responses every1! Seems I should wait til I have an actual offer before telling my boss I am leaving. I really feel I wont have this oppurtunity again after this tax season, the job market can change quickly

@AICPA beach, its a laidback job, taking calls isnt too big of an issue, even my coworker talks to his GF sometimes haha, I do like your approach I think I will go with it, no need to mention how my boss feels.

Amazing how hard it is to get even an interview even for an internship! these days, & im an MS tax student with high GPA, was on swim team nd have a year small firm expereinnce. very tough out there, esp given the call I got came from a recommendation and not from me actually applying via jobsearches

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[mla1169]

win2be, I'm guessing this is your first job? It doesn't matter HOW laid back your office is you do not take calls about potential jobs. Trust me your peers see and hear everything and while its ok to talk to a gf, once they get the idea you're looking they're NOT going to wait until you give your notice to start looking for your replacement especially with busy season around the corner.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[win2bet]

@mla Yea first “real” job -I really had no idea it would be a call about a potential job, those pretty much stopped after on campus recruiting ended at my school. I probably shouldve just said I would call back though.

I agree no need to lie about having told my boss since I dont even plan on doing that unless i have an actual offer, I just want to make the best 1st impression . thx for the advice!

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[win2bet]

So i called HR back and they scheduled me for an interview next week on the 9th, which coincidentally is the day the CPA results come back in.

Will keep my current employer in the dark for now until I get an actual offer. Thanks for the advice guys, will be a big day!

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[troppy]

Good luck!

Becker Self Study
AUD Oct 2014: 94
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[fuzyfro89]

It may seem obvious to some, but NEVER tell your current employer about another job until you have an offer and are willing to or have already accepted the offer.

In the future, if it's a recruiter calling, just say that you are not able to talk at the moment, ask for their number and name, and call them back later.

I don't care how much your boss loves you or how awesome and laid back your job is. You NEVER discuss leaving a current employer until you are actually leaving…

[win2bet]

@fuzy yea I completely agree with you, its just my first time dealing with a situation like this. It would just make the working experience very uncomfortable if they know you are on the verge of leaving.

You simply cannot please everyone in this world, need to do whats best for yourself

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[FDR8703]

AICPA Beach is 100% right in that any future employer won't care about what you told your current boss. They won't give two thoughts about whether you lied or not. They are simply trying to fill a need of their own anyway they can.

One thing I always advise young people entering the work place for the first time post-College, is that loyalty doesn't exist from an employer, and don't be fooled it does. A Company will always make decision's in what's best for the Company, and not the employee, and that's okay. However, you also as an employee only need to reciprocate the same loyalty, and not think twice about doing what's best for you, because that is okay as well.

Additionally, as others have said, don't tell your current employer (or anyone there that you deem as friends) until you've secured the job. Good Luck!

[Author]

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