Internal Recruiter asks "Are you interviewing Externally ?"

Submitted by Kevin Carpenter
in
Career Management

BLUF = Should I have answered truthfully that, "Yes, I am interviewing externally ?"

This may seem like a "no-brainer" but hear me out.

----------------------------

I applied for an internal position with my current employer.  One of the questions the internal recruiter asked me was "Are you interviewing Externally ?"

I answered "No, I was not."

[Truth is I love working for my current, very globally large, employer.  But that I do occasionally like to hear about other career opportunities and a few times have actually gone on external interviews.]

Here is why I think perhaps I should have told the Internal Recruiter that I am interviewing externally:

Employees in my role are VERY difficult and costly to replace.

  • $100K of specialized internal training.
  • Valuable hands-on experience
  • A new employee would take 5 years to come up to speed.

Because replacing employees in my role is difficult, expensive and time consuming - they can almost never change positions within the company.

I've been here 9 years and have only seen one person change jobs.  Frankly that person couldn't do the technical work very well.  I suspect that was why they were allowed to take a different internal position.

 

Another point:  Lately there has been a huge focus on retaining technical talent. Plus major finders fees to help take talent of other companies in the industry.

- - - -

SO:  I'm wondering if one of this Internal Recruiters jobs is to triage the flight risk of high-tech employees applying for internal positions.  If there is no risk, then they don't get considered for the position.

I'm very qualified for the position applied for - but am getting little attention. I suspect they've been told not to consider me due to the cost of replacing me.

 

What do you think ?

 

 

Submitted by Samuel Beroz on Sunday June 3rd, 2012 4:53 pm

Mark is fond of saying  "you're entitled to an honest answer to any question to which you're entitled an answer." I would consider that question from my current employer to be out of bounds.  Hopefully you made it clear how much you love working for your current employer and what you see yourself doing down the road with the company.  I would be careful in making assumptions regarding the internal recruiter's intent. Advertising that you're looking around could result in a preemptive counter offer, but as soon as I hear about that an employee is looking for other employment I start working out how I'm going to replace him. Good luck - Sam

Submitted by Kevin Carpenter on Sunday June 3rd, 2012 10:25 pm

Thank you for the reply.
Just to clarify, I'm not looking for a counter offer - either monitary or in advancement.  [That would be a bad move.]
What I do want is for my employer to ALLOW me to advance if I am qualified.
The point/question is "Is my employer keeping me from advancement because I am too valueable in my current position."
And, if so, then what should I do about it ?
PS:> I do love working for my company and did make that very clear.

Submitted by Michael Mann on Tuesday June 19th, 2012 3:51 pm

It's unlikely someone will volunteer an answer to your question without asking.  Try something like, "What do you think about my qualifications for position X?"
Regardless of the answer your response must be professional... something to the effect of, "Thank you for your insight."
 
  Good luck,
--Michael