You’re tired of your job. You’re tired of your boss. You feel you are undervalued or underpaid. The culture is toxic and affecting your personal life.
There are a thousand different reasons you could be job searching while you are employed, and we have all been there.
There are some very important dos, and don’ts, to job hunting while still employed. Don’t make major mistakes and it can go well, with you leaving your current job on good terms and entering a new position without issue.
#5: Do Not Talk About Job Hunting
The first rule of job hunting? Don’t talk about job hunting.
It doesn’t matter how close you are to the people you work with, or how much you think you can trust them. Keep your job search to yourself as much as you possibly can, because rumors can spread like wildfire.
If your boss or coworkers are going to find out, it should come from YOU, not Karen from accounting or Greg from HR.
#4: Don’t Talk Smack
Nothing is worse in an interview than a person talking poorly about their current company. You’re there for a reason, and you’ve stuck it out this long for a reason. Take the high road always, show some class, and avoid burning any bridges.
Potential employers know that if you’re going to talk badly about your company now to them, you could talk poorly about them to someone else.
#3: Schedule Your Interviews When You’re Not At Work
Don’t screw over your current employer just because you are planning on leaving. Schedule any prospective job interviews for breakfast meetings before work, personal days, or lunches.
If you experience any pushback from a prospective employer, explain that you are trying to keep your job search confidential and you do not want to hurt your current employer.
Sometimes they will be more flexible or accommodating once they understand your position.
#2: Don’t Use Company Resources
This is a no brainer, but seriously. Don’t do it. Do not use company time, company computers, company printers, fax machines, or phones in your current job search.
There is a good chance that your IT department is paying attention to what you do on your PC anyway, so they are going to be tipped off as soon as you start.
Plus, it’s just a jerk move.
#1: Don’t Advertise Your Job Search Online
This goes hand in hand with not talking about your job hunting, but it is probably the most overlooked piece of advice. Don’t post about your job hunt online, period.
Avoid posting your resume on job boards, because there is a good chance your current employer is using those same boards to find other employees and will see your name.
Don’t spread your search on social media, because any coworkers or friends of coworkers that see it will spread it around.
Keep it to yourself, apply to positions that work for you but don’t spam your resume or LinkedIn information everywhere. It will save you a huge headache in the long run.
The moral of this? To responsibly and easily job search while still being employed, keep it to yourself. Don’t use company resources, and don’t act differently.
The transition from one position to the next is only as hard as you make it out to be.
Happy job hunting!
