The Delicate Balance of a Stealthy Search
Navigating the waters of job hunting while employed is a tricky task, to say the least. After all, you don’t want to jeopardize your current position, yet you’re looking to explore new opportunities. This situation calls for a well-planned and discreet approach, coupled with ethical conduct and professionalism. To help you achieve this balancing act, let’s delve into the dos and don’ts of job hunting while still employed.
Dos: Best Practices for a Discreet Job Hunt
1. Be Mindful of Timing
First and foremost, choose your timing wisely. Specifically, try to schedule interviews during your own personal time. If, however, your potential employer insists on a meeting during working hours, ensure you take a personal day or use vacation time. Doing this not only respects your current employer’s time but also alleviates suspicions.
2. Use Discretion with Current Colleagues
When job hunting, it’s essential to maintain confidentiality. For instance, don’t discuss your plans with co-workers, even if you consider them friends. Remember, office walls have ears, and you don’t want to fuel the gossip mill.
3. Network Smartly
Even though networking is crucial for any job search, discretion should be your guiding principle here as well. Instead of broadcasting your intentions on LinkedIn, focus on sending individual, targeted messages to people in your network. Furthermore, ensure that your online profiles don’t advertise that you’re looking for a new opportunity.
4. Separate Professional Resources
Similarly, use a personal email account, and preferably, a personal phone for your job search. This distinction keeps your job hunting discreet and also ensures that your communications remain confidential.
5. Be Honest but Tactful in Interviews
During interviews, it’s likely you’ll be asked why you’re considering leaving your current job. In this scenario, maintain a balance between honesty and diplomacy. Rather than bad-mouthing your current employer, emphasize your desire for new challenges or opportunities for growth.
Don’ts: Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Don’t Use Company Resources
Under no circumstances should you use your current employer’s resources, including computers, phones, or office supplies, for your job hunt. Aside from being ethically questionable, this behavior risks exposure and could lead to termination.
2. Avoid Slacking Off in Your Current Role
In the midst of your job hunt, it’s easy to lose focus on your current job. Nevertheless, continue to excel in your role. After all, you might need a good reference from your current employer down the line. Additionally, maintaining performance levels ensures that, if your search takes longer than expected, you still have a secure position.
3. Refrain from Broadcasting Your Search
While it might be tempting to update your LinkedIn status or profile to indicate that you’re open to new opportunities, this is not advisable. Even though your current employer may not actively monitor your social media, word has a way of getting around.
4. Don’t Schedule Back-to-Back Interviews
Although you might feel the urgency to take on as many interviews as possible, refrain from scheduling them back-to-back. Not only does this prevent you from fully preparing for each one, but it also increases the likelihood of your current employer catching on.
5. Don’t Leave a Paper Trail
Lastly, avoid leaving any evidence of your job search. Whether it’s printouts of job listings or emails confirming interview schedules, these should not be found lying around your workplace.
Strive for Professional Integrity
To sum it all up, job hunting while employed is a delicate operation that demands a cautious and thoughtful approach. While it’s entirely acceptable to look for a new job when you’re already employed, it’s crucial that you go about it in a way that is respectful to your current employer. By adhering to these dos and don’ts, you’re not only safeguarding your current job but also setting the stage for a graceful exit, should a new opportunity materialize.
So, as you tread the fine line of seeking new employment while holding onto your current job, remember to be ethical, discreet, and above all, professional. Good luck in your job search!
