Job Searching While Still Employed

As somebody who considers themselves to be extremely fortunate to have found gainful employment in the current job market, I’m a little perplexed as to why anybody would want to try to make the jump from a sure thing to a not so sure thing. But they are out there, and since evidence points to the fact that it is far easier to find a job when you already have one, consider the fine art of looking for a job without endangering the one you already have.

First, ask yourself if it is worth it. Your current job may not be ideal, but it is employment, and if you are in good with the higher ups, it is relatively secure. Consider that any change you make could end up laying an egg and you could find yourself unemployed within a few weeks. It’s something to think about…..carefully.

Secondly, keep your mouth shut. Most employers will not react kindly to the news that you are looking elsewhere. You may find yourself out on your fanny before you have found another ship to jump to. Even if you have close friends in your workforce, you have to assume that anything you tell them will get back to your supervisors. Play it close to the vest.

Don’t use company resources to conduct your job search. One employee used the company fax machine to send his resume to another company. The problem? He left the original laying in the fax tray. Guess who found it? I sure hope he got the job, because the rest of us never saw him again.

Likewise, don’t conduct job searches or phone interviews on company time. Many companies monitor computer usage and phone calls, so any such activity is bound to be discovered. Make sure such activities are conducted during off hours and from private phone and internet lines.

Don’t post on internet websites or job boards. Would you want your employer to log onto the same site and find out that way that you have hung out your employment shingle? I think not.

Try very hard to schedule interviews outside of your normal work hours. Most prospective employers will understand this and try to accommodate you. If you simply must go during work hours, don’t feel the great need to explain where you are going beyond a simple “taking care of some personal matters” explanation.

By the same token, if your normal office attire is business casual, and you suddenly show up one day dressed to the nines, that is a surefire giveaway that you have an interview that day. Again, don’t do anything that spills the beans to your current employer. Before you make the jump, you want to make sure you have somewhere to land.

Don’t be afraid to ask interviewers not to contact your current employer. Most interviewers will understand this. Have some other options in mind for references.

Do not, under any circumstances, bad mouth your current employer. I don’t care if your current boss is the earthly incarnation of Satan himself, freshly risen complete with the smell of brimstone, speak highly of him and your current company. Bad mouthing will identify you to prospective employers as a trouble maker, boat rocker, or at best, a high maintenance employee.

Once you have been offered the new job, resist the urge to trash your desk, crank up “Take This Job And Shove It”, and give your boss the finger as you jitterbug out the door. Instead, give appropriate notice in writing, stating your intent to leave, thanking them for the opportunity, and offering to work at least a two week notice to allow time for them to find your replacement.

At the same time, be prepared to get out once you have given your notice. Many companies will not be interested in a notice and will respond with a very polite but firm “don’t let the screen door hit you in the posterior on the way out”.

If this turns out to be the case, be sure to completely clean out your desk and work area. Leave it better than you found it. Don’t make the next guy have to clean up after you. That is not the impression you want to leave behind.

Leave with some dignity and good grace. Even if your boss reacted like a jerk, stop and thank him again for the opportunity, shake his hand, and wish him well. Always take the high road, because it is virtually impossible to come out looking bad when you do so.

You can make this jump, and you can move forward without trashing your previous years of work experience. Just exercise some common sense and courtesy and you’ll come out okay.

Now go therefore and succeed beyond your wildest dreams…..