Mentioned eight weeks ago that I changed jobs, without revealing the name of the employer. That seemingly odd–to some, at least–omission affirms traces back to my consulting days.

When I started in tech, the sea of money awaiting professionals willing to jump ship seemed almost endless. It was a special time in both business and history, when dollars really did more than just trickle from above; they pelted the economy and many of its participants from every direction. Good times, indeed. Like all cycles, that one came to an end, though I have faith another boom will happen.

Even though jobs back then were plentiful, and there were far more employers looking for workers than the reverse, it actually was hard to find a position that was really better without dealing with a recruiter. Besides staying at the new job for at least 90 days ( the minimum tenure needed to collect their placement fee ), recruiters demanded some discretion. In practice that discretion really meant the following:

1) Tell no one at the current job you are looking for work.

2) When you get the new job, tell no one where you are going except your immediate family, until you have been there for a few months.

While the first rule was relevant in markets both good and bad, the second was much harder in practice. No third party agent guided this job change, but I’ve acted from the old advice once again without thought.

And thus explains the secrecy.