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Career Advice to Help You Stay on Target
Job searching is hard. That’s why we make sure you navigate your job search and career as easily and successfully as possible with unmatched career resources.
Career Hub
Career Advice to Help You Stay on Target
Job searching is hard. That’s why we make sure you navigate your job search and career as easily and successfully as possible with unmatched career resources.
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Looking for a New Job While Still Employed
Follow these five do's and don'ts when searching for a job while still employed.
You’re ready to find a new opportunity, but you’re still employed. While this can be tricky, with the average tenure now at 4.6 years, almost everyone faces this situation as some point in their careers.
Until you have an accepted job offer letter in your hand, keep these five job hunting do’s and don’ts in mind:
DO keep your search quiet.
While it may seem obvious, many people make the mistake of sharing their job search with co-workers. Unfortunately, this news can accidentally (or not) spread across the office. This can lead to uncomfortable situations and can negatively affect your work relationships. Instead, share the news with as few people as necessary – stick with close friends and family.
It’s also wise to keep your search quiet on social media, refrain from posting your resume on job boards, and use only past supervisors and co-workers as references.
DON’T change your habits.
On a similar note, don’t give people in the office any reason to wonder if you are searching for a job. Wearing a suit to the office when your office embraces business casual is a dead give-away. This will raise red flags and start office chatter. If needed, keep your interview attire in your car or allow extra time to stop at home to change before interviews.
DO keep your search outside of the office.
Put yourself in your employer’s shoes for a minute. If your employees were looking to transition to a new employer, would you want them searching on your dime? Of course not. Don’t use the company computer, fax machine, or phone in your search. Schedule interviews during non-work hours or take vacation time for longer interviews. If your employer catches you job hunting while on-the-clock, you may find yourself with a lot of (unwanted) free time.
DON’T slack off.
You don’t have that new job yet! (And even if you did, there’s no need to burn bridges.) Stay focused on your current job, remain positive, and do your best work. It’s the respectful and professional thing to do. Plus, by continuing to put forth quality work, you’ll be in a better position to receive a glowing reference when you search for your next opportunity.
DO work with a staffing firm.
One of the challenges of job hunting while you’re still employed is lack of time. Looking for a new job is a job in itself! To save time and increase your chance of success, partner with a staffing agency. They can keep an eye out for opportunities during all hours of the workday and, with permission, submit your resume on your behalf.
What if?
If your cover is blown and your manager asks if you are looking for a new employment, it’s typically best to confess. It’s better to tell the truth than jeopardize your credibility.
Searching for a job when you already have one may be tricky at times, but it’s ideal! Rather than accepting the first job offer just to pay the bills, you can take you time to make sure that you find the best opportunity for you. You’ll also be in a better position to negotiate salary and benefits. By following these do’s and don’ts you can feel good about your transition and may be able to turn your current manager into a future reference.
- Need more tips?
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