Your statement sounds much like the old “if you get caught doing $x at school it will go on your permanent record”. BigTech is so vast that unless you do something egregious it’s hard not to get hired back at the same one, let alone a competitor.
For every you that wouldn’t hire the parent posters, there are hundreds of managers that will.
No part of the hiring loop at major tech companies for ICs that I am aware of involves checking references. We definitely don’t do that as part of the loop. Our entire hiring process is based on how well you do in the interview.
Elsewhere in this thread I pointed out that you would want to future proof your actions for the rest of your career. I wouldn't bet on the visibility of my actions being the same today as it will be in 20 years from now.
I’m 48 and I’ve been in the industry since I was 22. I’ve worked in companies with 10 people all the way to second largest employer in the country. In 20 years if I’m still having to work, I need to rethink my life choices.
That being said, especially with the acceleration of remote work (I live on the opposite coast) Opportunities are vast.
For every you that wouldn’t hire the parent posters, there are hundreds of managers that will.
No part of the hiring loop at major tech companies for ICs that I am aware of involves checking references. We definitely don’t do that as part of the loop. Our entire hiring process is based on how well you do in the interview.