It’s a pretty reasonable desire: You don’t want your current job to end until you find another one. For many people, the best time to job search is when you already have a job. It benefits you because you don’t have to rush and are able to wait for the right opportunity to come along before you put in your two weeks’ notice at your current job. The fact that you are employed also benefits the prospective employer since they know you aren’t desperate and weren’t recently fired under negative circumstances.
But job searching while employed definitely has its challenges. You must cover your bases in order to maintain a discreet job search. If your current employer discovers you are job searching, they could choose to let you go before you have found another job. At the very least, you may spend the rest of your days at your current position in an atmosphere of mistrust and resentment from your boss and co-workers. Here are some helpful tips for job searching while employed:
1) Network with Discretion
One of the best ways to search for a job while you are currently working is by reaching out to your professional network. But you must use discretion regarding who you let in on the fact that you are ready to move on. Make sure that you trust the people you ask for help and advice, and that they will be discreet about your job search. Avoid reaching out to anyone that knows your current employer or could spread the word in a way your employer could find out.
2) Avoid Using Company Resources for Your Job Search
If you are job searching while employed, do not use your company’s computer, phone, fax or other resources for job search activities such as applying for jobs, working on your resume or scheduling interviews. Many employers monitor their employees’ Internet activity, and any documents you download related to your job search could remain on your company’s computer. Also, doing this looks bad to potential employers as well, since they will see you as untrustworthy and lacking loyalty to your employer.
3) Avoid Using Company Time for Your Job Search
Though you have every right to job searching while employed, you don’t have a right to do it on your employer’s time. To be discreet about your job search, do your best to schedule interviews before or after work hours or on weekends. If you keep leaving the office in the middle of the day for interviews, it’s likely to send a red flag to your employer. If you have an interview right after work, you may also want to change into your interview outfit instead of wearing it to work. If your office dress code doesn’t require you to wear a suit, people may start to wonder why you are so overdressed. Also, don’t make job search-related phone calls while at your current job. Wait until your lunch hour and leave the premises so no one can overhear you.
4) Be Careful Where and How You Apply
To ensure you are discreet as possible in your job search, thoroughly check out any jobs you are applying to. You don’t want to apply to an open position at your current company by accident. Also, if you are job searching while employed, keep recruiters informed about your need for confidentiality. Make sure they know not to contact your current employer, but also inform them of any other companies connected to your employer that you don’t want getting wind of your job search. Inform any companies you interview with about your discreet job search. If you upload your resume to online job boards such as EmploymentAlert.com and Jobdiagnosis.com, make sure your leave out your contact information since any employer would be able to see it.
Author: Jessica Cody
Jessica Cody, a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, has a background in online marketing and public relations. Currently, she works at VHMNetwork LLC in the role of Marketing Analyst. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she studied Journalism and Political Science. She is also an avid runner with a passion for the outdoors.
