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Hi everyone. Thought I'd look for some helpful suggestions on here. I am currently working in local government (think district attorney, county prosecutor, county counsel, city attorney, city prosecutor) where the probation period for every new employee is one year. I've been at this job for approx.11.5 months. A government job opening (similar position and same type of work) came up in a city close to where I am from and where I really want to be in the long run, and I am thinking about applying. Nothing is wrong at my current job, have been getting good reviews and feedback, people are easy to work with, etc. (I am not in danger of being fired or asked to resign, is what I'm saying.)

1. Is it acceptable practice to apply for a job before formally getting off probation/staying for the full one year? I know it's generally not a good idea to leave before you've stayed a year at one position, but I am pretty close...and tbh by the time they screen for interviews I would be at my current job for more than a year.

2. How do you guys respond to the "May we contact your current or most recent employer" question? I definitely do not want my boss to know I'm applying for another job. But telling people not to contact my currently employer makes it seem like I have something to hide when I don't.

This is probably more relevant for government practice than other fields...but any inputs or thoughts would be appreciated!

I don't think it's really different for government jobs vs the private sector. I did this from one federal agency to another when I had about two years (probation period in federal govt is two years) on the job. I said that they could not contact my current employer. At the interview they asked about this and I just said that my current employer does't know that I'm applying to other jobs. I got an offer so they must have been fine with it. As long as you'll be at your current job for more than a year before switching to the new job I wouldn't worry about it.