Why would a prospective employer want to remain hidden?

I actually read a government publication over lunch a few days ago that explained what a prospective employer can and cannot ask an applicant. I think the link was here, in a thread about being asked for a photo? (forbidden BTW...)

As I have been an employer, my interest in this had enough basis to have me spend my lunch hour wading through page after page of beaurocratic gobbledygook...

This publication reinforced my previous decision to never ever ever again employ anyone.

But if I did, I would remain anonymous until time to fill out the W4 in triplicate.

kcmoedoe wrote:
Same way many businesses operate. Too many people have watched too many TV shows and think the way to get a position is to dress up like a clown and barge in on the CEO....

Reminds me of a guy I interviewed once while on a week-long business trip. We talked, I looked over his samples, got his list of references, etc. and told him I'd get back to him in a week when I returned to the office. Two or three days later I called my partner to check in, and he asks, "Did you hire So And So for the such-and-such job?"

I said that I'd talked to him, but after checking his references had decided he wasn't the right guy.

"Well, he showed up to work yesterday and said you'd hired him, so I showed him his office and got him started."

:S Some people!

newk wrote:
I normally kept my business's name out of it when advertising nationally for key employees. They sent their information to "blind box XXX". I didn't want to be bothered by dozens of calls from hopefuls who may not be anywhere near qualified. I'd go through the resumes, call the most qualified for a phone interview, then invite (at my expense) the best one to visit face-to-face. If I was still impressed, I'd offer the job. If not, I'd go to number two and invite him/her for a visit.

It certainly wasn't because we didn't have a good reputation. We did.

Same way many businesses operate. Too many people have watched too many TV shows and think the way to get a position is to dress up like a clown and barge in on the CEO. Also, by keeping the business name private, the current employees will not get worked up over what is or isn't going on. Finally, you will get an honest resume and other correspondence, the applicant won't be able to attempt to color their qualifications to what they believe the employer might want.

HOw can an employer who hides his identity expect a prospect to tailor a cover letter for his specific situation?

I normally kept my business's name out of it when advertising nationally for key employees. They sent their information to "blind box XXX". I didn't want to be bothered by dozens of calls from hopefuls who may not be anywhere near qualified. I'd go through the resumes, call the most qualified for a phone interview, then invite (at my expense) the best one to visit face-to-face. If I was still impressed, I'd offer the job. If not, I'd go to number two and invite him/her for a visit.

It certainly wasn't because we didn't have a good reputation. We did.

I don't know and it really doesn't matter if that is what they have chosen to do. Perhaps they don't want to deal with a big influx of apps because they love their privacy

HappyKayakers wrote:
Maybe the person currently in the position doesn't know they're about to be fired.

I would agree that they may want to fill a position that is currently filled. Sometimes it can be a key position that requires skills that other employees (or the boss) does not have.

mikeleblanc413 wrote:

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
I often do recruiting for firms who wish to remain anonymous initially so they do not have to go through 300+ resumes that are deadbeats. I go through the resumes to screen and provide perhaps 5 or 6 candidates to the client AFTER I have checked them out. The rest go in the can.

That is not a reason to hide the name of the potential employer. Don't prospective employees have a right to know who they might be working for?

You do have the opportunity to say no if/when you do get a request for an interview.

This is very common. Sometimes I will email the listing company explaining that I would no sooner send my resume or any other information blindly to a company that chooses to remain anonymous than they would send me their financials not knowing who I am. Never received a reply. If a company will not identify themselves, I am not going to apply. It might be a company that I would not work for at all. Regardless, that seems to be the way most companies choose to advertise for help.

Maybe the employer is Freddy Krueger and he would rather you not know until the first night.
:E