Subject: Need Advice: Current Employment Disclosure to New Employer
I’m currently working at a small startup, but I’ve recently accepted an offer from a larger company. During the interview process, they didn’t ask about my current employment status, and I chose not to disclose it since my previous experience was more relevant to the role I was applying for.
I’ve had to change jobs a few times in the last couple of years due to various reasons, including a relocation from the US to the UK, which raised some concerns about job-hopping during the interviews. However, they still decided to move forward with my application.
Now that I’ve signed the offer, they require me to complete a background check through HireRight, which involves sharing my current employer’s information for verification. This means my new employer will discover that I’m still employed, and I’m worried they might rescind my offer because I didn’t mention it earlier.
Here are my potential options:
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Email the recruiter before I officially give my notice, explaining that I didn’t consider my current job relevant enough to mention in the HireRight form.
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Give my notice and submit the HireRight form without informing the recruiter. If they decide to terminate the contract after that, I risk losing both jobs.
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Omit my current job from the HireRight disclosure. I’ve read that they typically check only the information provided. However, I’ll also be sending a P-45 that includes my complete employment history, which complicates things.
I’d appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation!
RCadmin
It’s definitely a tricky situation you’re in, but honesty and transparency are usually the best policies in these scenarios. Here are some thoughts on your options:
Communicating with the Recruiter: This seems like the best approach. Sending an email to the recruiter explaining your reasoning can help clarify your intentions and demonstrate that you aren’t trying to hide anything maliciously. You can frame it as wanting to focus on the experience most relevant to the position, rather than omitting anything intentionally. It also gives the recruiter a chance to discuss this with the hiring team before they see the background check results.
Giving Notice and Completing the Background Check: This could potentially put you in a difficult position if they do decide to rescind the offer. If you proceed this way, and they find out about the omission through the background check, it could lead to trust issues with your new employer before you’ve even started.
Skipping Your Current Job on the HireRight Form: While it might be tempting to not include your current position, this could lead to significant issues down the road, especially if they discover the discrepancy. Employers often do background checks, and any inconsistencies can be grounds for rescinding an offer or even termination later on.
Remember that many people have complex career paths, and job changes don’t necessarily reflect poorly on you. If your new employer values your skills and experience, they may understand your situation and appreciate your honesty. Ultimately, it’s best to act in a way that maintains your integrity and keeps the lines of communication open with your new employer.