Many people prefer hunting a new job before leaving the old one. And it is the right decision! After all, a work search can take a lot of time, and no one wants to lose financial stability. But how to do it? How to find a new position without getting yourself into trouble?
As we all know, work hunting is a challenging affair. Professional recruiters often emphasize that job search is also a job. It means that you need to spend a lot of time and energy on preparing a resume, searching vacancies, writing a great linkedin profile (if you do not have one), and go through the interview process.
This task is quite complicated, especially if your specialty is competitive in the labor market. But the situation becomes even more difficult if you want to find a new career place without having quit your old position. You will have to do 2 jobs at the same time, and one of them (the searching process) will most likely be your big secret. Not all employees can just inform their boss that they will continue to work until finding a better place. No one will like it!
Many employers find this behavior “unethical.” However, not everyone can afford to spend 2-3 months in search without a monthly salary. It depends on everyone’s financial situation. Therefore, such a decision can be quite reasonable. Therefore, read on and find out “how to search for the new job if you are still employed?”
Table of Contents
1st Rule. Office Confidentiality
You should not report that you are looking for a new position, not only to management but also to colleagues. Even if you have a great relationship with co-workers, keep this information with you. It will avoid unnecessary conversations and gossip.
When you are creating a resume paper, you would like to provide more contact information. But you can’t indicate your work phone number in the resume, limit yourself with mobile and home number. The same rule applies when you create your profile and add resume to linkedin.
It also applies to email: do not add corporate mailboxes to your resume (cover letter), only your personal mail. Do not send resumes nor conduct correspondence about new positions via the corporate mailbox.
Avoid storing a file called “resume” on your office computer. Browse job search websites via your personal devices.
Do not negotiate the offer (even interview) in the presence of colleagues. A recruiter who calls you during the workday understands that you cannot always communicate. Therefore, many begin a conversation with the question: “Is it convenient for you to talk now?” You will have to apologize and ask when you can recall. The experienced recruiter will perfectly understand what you mean.
2nd Rule. Online privacy
Most likely, your company, from time to time, is looking for new employees. It means that your recruiters visit recruiting websites. They post vacancies and view resumes of potential employees. But what does this mean for you?
Do not make your resume visible for everyone. Find out all the features that the recruiting portal offers you. For example, sometimes you can make a resume available only to companies whose vacancies you have responded to.
Respond to vacancies of the company directly on its website. You can fill out an application form on the official website or send a resume to the personnel department.
Do not write in social networks and the blog that you are looking for work. You should not rely on confidentiality in social networks, no matter what account settings you use.
Writing a great LinkedIn profile, you also should not indicate that you are seeking a new position. However, you can write that you are available for propositions. It is your right to be open to cooperation or the provision of services to others.
Remember that a good LinkedIn profile increases your career chances by 90%. Therefore, if you still do not have a profile (or it is not filled in), fix this situation.
3rd Rule. Confidential interview
Think in advance about how you will attend job interviews in the work time. You are lucky If your working routine is connected with traveling or business trips. But if you are an office worker, attending interviews can be a problem.
You can “gather” several interviews in one day and agree with the boss about a day off for personal reasons. If your company does not require an official sick leave, you can skip a couple of days under the pretext of sickness. It may be an excellent option.
Also, you can try to arrange an interview with the recruiter before of after the working hours. Unfortunately, it does not always work because, most often, recruiters provide meeting in the middle of the day.
Perhaps the most convenient option is to hunt a new job during the vacation. Of course, you will not be able to relax. But you can competently focus on the work search process, and most importantly, visit the interviews any time of the day.
4th Rule. Explain the situation to the recruiter
Typically, recruiters treat this situation with understanding, but a lot depends on the company and the particular specialist. Think in advance how you will explain your position to the recruiter, because the best option is to tell him/her the truth. Follow the same rules as usual:
- do not scold your current employer;
- do not criticize the boss;
- do not complain about problems with colleagues;
- just say you want career growth.
Conclusion
When you find the perfect new position, it is essential to leave the old one with dignity. You need to maintain a reputation of a decent and responsible employee. Since you cannot know precisely how your life and career will turn in the future, the more colleagues and managers consider you a reliable professional, the better.
Explain the situation to your boss. Define how important the work in this company was for you (under his leadership), mention how much you learned. If you are sure that your job search has remained a secret for everyone, you can say that you did not have any serious plans to leave, but received an exciting offer in professional and career terms. Emphasize that you are ready to complete all urgent matters.
