Conducting a Confidential Job Search: Part 3

Often times on job applications there will be a section asking you to list your current supervisor, which is usually followed by a question asking if they may contact your current employer.

If you plan to use your current supervisor as one of your references, provide your supervisor's name, but indicate that you are conducting a confidential search and request that they notify you prior to contacting your supervisor.

If you do not want to use your supervisor for a reference, indicate that you are conducting a confidential search and provide another name for them to contact. A good suggestion would be a former employee you used to work with at the company. A second suggestion would be a current coworker whom you trust -- but be careful (see Part 2).