Dear Boss, I Have An Interview With The Competitor Tomorrow

If you’re planning to seek employment elsewhere and you are very much employed at the moment, will you tell your boss that you are applying with other companies?

The thought sounds silly to me. In fact, I’ll be a 100% idiot if I do that. Should I decide to quit my current job, I would never ever tell my boss that I am looking for a better paying job, let alone tell my boss, in his face, that my salary is just not enough.

Here’s the scenario.

California is bankrupt. We all know that. A lot of businesses are struggling to keep the business afloat. I know that for a fact because my supposed salary increase and bonuses were put on hold. Still, I am thankful that the boss decided to keep me and that applies to my co-workers as well.

In light of the no increase this year, it is normal to look for other opportunities. But to tell your boss that you are actually applying to ABC Company or worse, you are attending interview #1 tomorrow and interview #2 the week after, is just beyond me.

First, you don’t have to tell your boss of your future career plans that doesn’t benefit his company. Second, it is just so stupid giving the boss a blow by blow account of what transpired in your job hunting endeavors. And last, you don’t tell your boss that your salary is not enough; whether the salary doesn’t cover your bills, mortgage, day care, etc., because that is not your boss’ problem. Employers compensate based on performance and your contribution to the company. The boss will not give you an increase because your salary can’t keep up with your expenses or any other reasons that do not concern your duties in the workplace.

Another thing, you don’t brag to your current boss that you’re moving to a much bigger company, even if it’s the top 1 company in your industry, you just don’t. You’ll piss him off and he will cut your hours further.

The most important rule of all: do not tell people, let alone, your boss that you are moving to a new company when you’re not even hired yet!

If you are thinking of leaving your job, do it with finesse. Avoid making stupid mistakes. Creating a bad blood between you and your not so current boss will certainly affect your references in the future.