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Honesty/Ethics In Job Applications?

Posted by michael on from the penitent-man-will-pass dept.

jt007 writes "I am a student in the UK who graduates from a computing course in a matter of weeks, and am starting to look for graduate jobs. One problem though, a friend and I are going travelling in about 15 months (obviously I need the job to pay for the trip!). Do I tell my employers this before I start work and potentially harm my chances of getting the job, or do I just shaft them in 15 months time? I would be interested in finding out in particular how IT managers out there would react to being put in a situation like this? Would it harm any chances of a reference for a future job? So the question is: is it best to keep quiet about my plans, or is honesty the best policy?" Look at it this way: if the company planned to close your office in 15 months would they tell you? If you were leaving in a much shorter period of time I'd think you should tell them, they might be rather annoyed to train you in a job and then have you depart and you might not be able to use them as a reference in the future. But 15 months? If you tell them, not only would you risk not getting the job because of it, your plans might change before then and you'd have lost the job for nothing.

4 of 66 comments (clear)

  1. Real slick idea. by Wakko+Warner · · Score: 2, Funny

    What happens when your second employer asks you, after your trip, why you not only left your first employer after only a year and three months, but then spent the next few months cavorting about before getting another job? What will you tell them?

    "Well, I shafted my first employer, then went to Amsterdam and smoked pot for 8 weeks. It was a fuckin' blast!"

    I can guarantee you that, unless you walk quickly, the door will hit your ass on the way out.

    - A.P.

    --
    "Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"
  2. Experience too! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    How many job descriptions are along the lines of:

    Minimum qualifications:
    6+ years exp with XML
    10+ years exp with Java
    HTML and CSS knowledge a plus

    1. Re:Experience too! by danielrose · · Score: 3, Funny

      or ...
      Wanted:

      Java Programming (10+ Years exp)
      Oracle 9 DBA (5+ Years exp)
      Graphic Design and Multimedia (20+ Years exp)
      XML experience (6+ years)
      Must be MCSE+, CCNA, APS, DCSE, and HP certified.

      Base pay $19,000.

      --
      i hate pansy republicans
  3. On Slashdot? by stevey · · Score: 3, Funny

    By asking here you've probably told everybody anyway ;)

    Would now be a good time to mention that I too am looking for a job? Sysadmin for hire, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK