Welcome to the New Year.

A new year means a new job?

Are you currently thinking about getting a new job?

If that is a yes, it may be tricky to pull off a job hunt if you are still employed because your current employer may be tipped off that you are going to resign. Once they do find out, it will put your current job at risk and you may find yourself fired (or worse, isolated) even before you can secure a new job.

If you are on a job hunt to replace your current job, here are some tips you can use to help with your search without risking your current employment:

1. Prepare What You Need

Just like any job search, you need to make sure your resume, cover letter, references and LinkedIn profile is updated. You are hoping for a career advancement so you need to make sure your profile is perfect.

2. Do Not Use your Work Computer

When doing your resume, searching for jobs or communicating with potential employers, use your personal computer. If you use your work computer, there is a high possibility your employer will find your browsing history. Same goes with using your company’s WIFI.

3. Use your Personal Email 

Do not use your personalized work e-mail address from your current employer when job hunting. Always use a different account preferably your personal email – for these transactions.

4. Use your Personal Phone and Mobile Number

Just like the previous number, use your personal phone and mobile number on your job applications. Do not use your office phone number because it can be monitored by your current employer or worse, overheard by a malicious gossiper in your office – the next thing you know, the whole office even the janitor knows you are looking for a new job.

5. Focus your Job Search

To make your job hunt more successful, use job search tools to help you find the job you are after. Job search engines allow users to set up email alerts so they know when new offerings are available.

Alternatively, you can always approach a headhunter to get you the job you want, just let him know you need it to be discreet.

6. Do not tell anyone you are looking for a new job

Do not advertise to anyone – may it be offline or online – that you are trying to look for a new job or if you do not like your current job now. There is a possibility that your words would come back to your boss and that could be dangerous.

7. Make discreet inquiries with your contacts

If you will need to speak to others about your job hunt, make sure they can be trusted and ask them to forward any leads if possible. You must also be discreet in asking them for reference for your job search.

8. Do not list work references

Considering that you are still employed, you should not put in your current supervisor or co-workers to provide references. If the hiring manager of your desired job is asking your permission to talk to your current manager, you should tell them that you will need to have a job offer from them first.

9. Do not do your interviews from work

If you are going to be discreet, you should make sure that your phone interview is done at home or in a private office. Try scheduling these interviews during your lunch break or when you are free and not at work.

10. Schedule the interview on a different day

You should also try to schedule the interview on your day off or during the weekends if your job is every weekday. If it is not possible, schedule it before or after your current job.

11. Give your notice when you finalized your new work

Once you have secured the job, wait until your new employer checks your references and gives you a start date before you hand in your notice. When you do hand in your notice, assist in the transition so your former employer will be able to sort things. Remember, don’t burn your bridges.

Conclusion

There is nothing wrong with trying to find a new job while you are currently employed, especially if your aim is career advancement. However, you must be very discreet because you may alienate the people around you if you do it openly.

If you do it correctly, the transition to your new job will be smoother and you will be able to remain on good terms with your former employer.

Going for an interview? Here are some tips to help you:

Should You Send A Thank You Note After Your Interview?

Interview Calls

Interview Types & How To Smash Them For Six

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