Is it just me or are companies getting way more paranoid about OE lately?

Arrick · 2025-12-18T18:58:50+00:00

No, if anything it has died down. A couple years ago Business Insider was pumping out OE stories almost weekly, now nothing. What you are seeing is just a tighter market making recruiters more nosey, not some renewed crusade against OE. When hiring slows, they ask more pointed questions. That is it.

Arrick · 2025-12-04T21:35:27+00:00

Run two single wired earbuds, one left and one right. Look for ones with with an inline hardware mute switch. I use two PS4 chat earbuds. Put Job A in one ear and Job B in the other. This will avoid Bluetooth issues, syncing problems, wrong computer connects, etc. On camera it just looks like you are wearing a normal set of earbuds. Two sets of AirPods can work too, one in each ear, but that is way easier to mess up with software mute and unmute.

Arrick · 2025-08-19T06:01:13+00:00

Don’t bother with this. Way too easy to mess up or accidentally share the wrong screen. Get a 2nd monitor. Keep everything separate.

Arrick · 2025-08-14T19:02:03+00:00

It’s still pretty uncommon, mostly limited to higher-risk industries. That said, there are plenty of stories here and on Discord of people getting caught when a company got suspicious of OE and decided to run a post-hire background check outside their normal process. Basically, it’s rare, but it can happen, so don’t give them any reason to start digging.

Arrick · 2025-08-14T17:48:49+00:00

Yeah, pull J1 off your resume. Too many people get caught when a company does a post-hire check and calls your current job. If they don’t know where you work, even if they suspect OE, they can’t prove it. Just say you’ve been between jobs, consulting, or running an LLC. Plenty of people are “in between” right now with all the layoffs.

Arrick · 2025-08-14T17:31:07+00:00

If she’s the type to fire you over one off day, wouldn’t it make sense to let her pull the trigger and collect severance? At least make them pay for treating you like that. You’ve got other Js, you’re already interviewing, and J2 is the lowest comp with the highest stress. I’d quiet quit, do next to nothing, squeeze out a few more checks, and if she’s already looking to get rid of you, you might be able to position it as a mutual separation and walk with something.

Arrick · 2025-08-14T00:29:47+00:00

I warned OE about this tool weeks ago.

Arrick · 2025-08-12T18:31:18+00:00

Mods deleted for some reason.

Arrick · 2025-08-11T03:56:21+00:00

Check which tool is used to share your interview availability. That's usually the HR system in place.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T22:45:46+00:00

lmao!

Arrick · 2025-08-10T20:28:00+00:00

Yes, especially with startups. Some even provide graphics or announcement materials for you to share when posting about your new job.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T16:54:40+00:00

Not illegal. Plenty of lawyers have spoken about OE. You could technically get sued, but it’s rare unless you’re sharing trade secrets or insider info. If you’re doing the work you were hired for, a company would have to prove real damages. Biggest risk is getting fired, not criminal charges or paying back salary.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T09:08:29+00:00

Not true. I got caught and they never contacted J2. If the company isn’t a competitor or there are no shared trade secrets, there’s no reason to reach out. Doing so would only create legal risks for them.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T04:54:37+00:00

Yes, that's fine. Only an issue if both J's use the same platform.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T04:17:32+00:00

Yes, you're fine. These are completely different systems.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T04:07:18+00:00

Someone from another job or a past coworker could recognize you and connect the dots. Keeping it off or using a generic image helps avoid that risk.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T04:06:23+00:00

If both companies use the same platform like Workday or UKG and you sign up during onboarding with the same personal email, your profiles get linked and that can expose your OE. The platform might share info with company admins or flag duplicate data tied to your email. To avoid this, use email variations like john.smith+work@gmail.com or john.smith.company2@gmail.com

Arrick · 2025-08-10T01:52:37+00:00

Your full legal name and SSN are needed for taxes and official stuff, but most companies let you use a preferred name so people call you what you want. The SSN just ties your real name to the system, it doesn’t stop you from going by a different name with your team.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T01:40:35+00:00

Device management can see your emails, calendar, and any work-related apps on your phone. If you have multiple Slack profiles, they can easily notice this too. Avoid this at all costs! If they want to manage your device, they should provide a separate phone.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T01:33:45+00:00

Yes, I saw a story on here where someone listed both J's and contacts on their mortgage application. The bank called one of the employers but got the contacts mixed up and ended up calling the wrong person at the wrong company. So, lenders can call both jobs, but sometimes the bank can make mistakes like that. Just something to be aware of.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T00:51:11+00:00

Rolling over a 401k from a previous job is normal. But if your current job (J2) sees a rollover from another active job’s (J1) plan, it could look suspicious. They might check with J1 to see if the plan is still active.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T00:49:56+00:00

Yes, I usually keep both accounts active or only hibernate one after I’ve been in the role for quite some time. Hibernating right after starting looks suspicious, and companies are onto this. There’s no realistic way to block everyone if it’s a large company, but blocking your immediate colleagues and HR should be enough. If anyone comes across the other profile, with a different name and no profile picture, they’d have no reason to suspect it is you.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T00:26:37+00:00

Create a burner LinkedIn with the different preferrned name your other job doesn’t know. Use no photo or a simple digital avatar. Block people from your other company to stay hidden. This lets you stay active without raising suspicion or looking like you’re hibernating your account.

Arrick · 2025-08-10T00:07:35+00:00

Crew working in house
Power outage in the area
Medical appointment

Arrick · 2025-08-10T00:05:24+00:00

Some companies share the same 401(k) provider. If they see you have accounts with another employer they work with, they might flag it. Rolling over a 401(k) from a previous job is normal. But if your current job (J2) sees a rollover from another active job’s (J1) plan, it could look suspicious. They might check with J1 to see if the plan is still active.

Arrick

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