Seeking a job while you have one - problems?

[Jakea222]

Situation - first off I come from the non food world first. I spent 12 yrs as a white collar exec before finding my passion for food. It was not uncommon for execs to look for jobs, but the minute it was known to the company 9 times out of 10 they went ahead and released you with 2 weeks pay ---

My question is - If you have an employee like a Sous Chef looking for a job and you find out through the grape vine of exec chefs, how do you handle - do you work em until they give notice - let em go early - make them clean out the grease trap with a dixie cup --- what????

[BigboyDan]

Every person in the kitchen, except maybe the Executive Chef, is always looking for his next job - we all know it, we all support it.

[MattJohnson]

I don't work in the food industry, however the best bosses I've had have always supported furthering my career. I'd say support your staff in their decisions. It will breed honesty and good will that will likely pay for any inconvenience caused.

My $0.02.

[alanamoana]

it is probably best if you're subtle about your search when you start off looking for another job, but when it gets serious (like you have gone on an interview or maybe a tryout) you talk to your boss about it.

it can bite you in the ass if you're not forthcoming with information (and i refer to restaurant industry as well as other industries): your prospective new boss decides on his/her own to call for references before you've mentioned your intentions to your current boss...this is usually a bad scenario.

sometimes you can save yourself the effort of looking for a new job if your boss is open to cross-training you in different areas.

i got tired of working in the kitchen at one of my jobs and was able to move over to the front office for the remainder of my time with the restaurant. it kept me happy and they didn't have to train me because i already knew what was going on..win/win. had i stayed in new york, i might still be working for them in a different capacity.

[rconnelly]

Situation - first off I come from the non food world first.  I spent 12 yrs as a white collar exec before finding my passion for food.  It was not uncommon for execs to look for jobs, but the minute it was known to the company 9 times out of 10 they went ahead and released you with 2 weeks pay ---

My question is - If you have an employee like a Sous Chef looking for a job and you find out through the grape vine of exec chefs, how do you handle - do you work em until they give notice - let em go early - make them clean out the grease trap with a dixie cup --- what????

←

A great employer no matter the business will support an employee if they are looking for other work. Maybe by asklng why.

you might learn something important about being a better boss.

Besides, the rule of thumb for anyone is to "Never quit a job until you have another one". So be kind.

Edited September 14, 2007 by rconnelly (log)

[Jakea222]

Oh yeah I support everyone - the last place I worked the Exec Chef told the dishwasher/stewart he would always be this and it really pissed me off. I had many conversations with him and told him to go to school and do anything he wanted - the exec chef was pissed at me - the guy ended up taking a class while I was still there amd when I left I heard he walked out one night and is graduating with a 4.0 - so I think it very imporant to "nudge" employees and hey getting them back would even be better....

[Mr. Delicious]

I was fired from my last because I was opening my own business, I told him what I wanted to do, then it happened faster than expected, when I signed a lease he was pissed and I was called a liar.... Anyway I was let go after giving a 2 month notice because I wasnt focused. I now sell them their desserts, but never heard the words i wanted to hear "Congratulations"

I did just have a good friend who had been promoted to a GM responsible for supervising 3 company restaurants in south florida and was then fired 2 weeks later when his resume was still online

[Mikeb19]

I've always found it easier to look for a job while not working... Makes scheduling interviews and whatnot easier, not to mention the industry is tough, and it's nice to have a break in between jobs... Not to mention it always gives me time to visit friends in the industry that I don't see often enough.

[AdamD]

IMO never look for a job when you dont already have one unless you are independently wealthy or have at least 6 months of operating expenses saved up. Not having a job makes you desperate unless you can land your dream job within the first week or two of looking, which doesnt always happen. Then at that point you start to get a little desperate and any job offer starts to sound good.... until you start working there and realize this place is worse then the last, and the only reason you took it was because rent was coming up or you had to put gas in the car. Always negotiate from a position of power, ie "why should I work for you, I already have a job...?" Instead of "Can I please have a job I need some money?"

[Mikeb19]

IMO never look for a job when you dont already have one unless you are independently wealthy or have at least 6 months of operating expenses saved up.  Not having a job makes you desperate unless you can land your dream job within the first week or two of looking, which doesnt always happen.  Then at that point you start to get a little desperate and any job offer starts to sound good.... until you start working there and realize this place is worse then the last, and the only reason you took it was because rent was coming up or you had to put gas in the car.  Always negotiate from a position of power, ie "why should I work for you, I already have a job...?"  Instead of "Can I please have a job I need some money?"

←

If I need money while unemployed usually I'll just do some part time work for friends under the table... However I always like to have at least several months pay saved up in my bank account, so that I'm never desperate for money.

But totally agree that you cannot show ANY signs of desperation in an interview, and that you need to negotiate from a position of power.

The problem with looking for a job while having one is that you look disloyal - like a job-hopper. The new employer will think that if you already have a job yet are looking, that you might do that to him as well. He'll question your motives. I know if I had a cook looking for a job behind my back, I'd fire him on the spot. On the other hand if he told me or put in his notice in a professional manner, I'd support him.

However if you tell them you left your previous job because you needed a change or whatever, and you'll thouroughly yet carefully looking for the right fit while taking a little time off, it makes you look better and more professional. Not to mention you'll be able to do a couple trial shifts and show them what you really can do, without worrying about scheduling around your current job.

[AdamD]

IMO never look for a job when you dont already have one unless you are independently wealthy or have at least 6 months of operating expenses saved up.  Not having a job makes you desperate unless you can land your dream job within the first week or two of looking, which doesnt always happen.  Then at that point you start to get a little desperate and any job offer starts to sound good.... until you start working there and realize this place is worse then the last, and the only reason you took it was because rent was coming up or you had to put gas in the car.  Always negotiate from a position of power, ie "why should I work for you, I already have a job...?"  Instead of "Can I please have a job I need some money?"

←

If I need money while unemployed usually I'll just do some part time work for friends under the table... However I always like to have at least several months pay saved up in my bank account, so that I'm never desperate for money.

But totally agree that you cannot show ANY signs of desperation in an interview, and that you need to negotiate from a position of power.

The problem with looking for a job while having one is that you look disloyal - like a job-hopper. The new employer will think that if you already have a job yet are looking, that you might do that to him as well. He'll question your motives. I know if I had a cook looking for a job behind my back, I'd fire him on the spot. On the other hand if he told me or put in his notice in a professional manner, I'd support him.

However if you tell them you left your previous job because you needed a change or whatever, and you'll thouroughly yet carefully looking for the right fit while taking a little time off, it makes you look better and more professional. Not to mention you'll be able to do a couple trial shifts and show them what you really can do, without worrying about scheduling around your current job.

←

I think it really depends on the person who is doing the hiring, and their personal perspective. For me when I am hiring if someone says that they are unemployed that equals "Fired". And if they are saying they left to find something better I think "Liar". Both of which would make me not want to hire that person for any reason regardless of their resume. In my life, and experience I have never left a job before I had the next one lined up, assuming I will put in a two week notice and finish out my previous job on good terms, but I have almost never found the "right job" in two weeks so starting your search when you put in your notice, or even waiting until that notice is over and you are unemployed to start looking just smacks as irresponsible to me. But then I know what I am capable of and I know that whomever I work for is lucky to have me, not the other way around, so I guess it also depends on the state of mind of the one looking for a job as well. Maybe that makes me conceded but I just see it as confidence...

[Jakea222]

I think we have gotten off topic - the question is more how do you treat the person you have that you hear is looking for a job - not interviewing candidates and what they tell you while you are talking to them - and I have to say I have the freedom to job jump and if someone is treating me like sh-- I hope I am not called a "liar" for looking for better circumstances - jeez I hop I never have to explain any holes in my career life to you.

But the question still is - how do you treat someone you hear is looking to leave?

[RAHiggins1]

I think we have gotten off topic - the question is more how do you treat the person you have that you hear is looking for a job - not interviewing candidates and what they tell you while you are talking to them - and I have to say I have the freedom to job jump and if someone is treating me like sh-- I hope I am not called a "liar" for looking for better circumstances - jeez I hop I never have to explain any holes in my career life to you.

But the question still is - how do you treat someone you hear is looking to leave?

←

You can't stop them from leaving, unless you re-evaluate their worth and compensate them accordingly. It might be better pay, it might be more responsibility. Try to understand what your employee really wants for themselves and then determine if that is within your means or not. Then, you start looking for their replacement. You can accept resumes and interview people to call upon once you need them.