Looking for a New Job While You Have One

Time Saving Tips for the Employed Job Seeker, by Brian Alden

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Looking For a Job While You Still Have One
 
It wasn't that long ago when everybody was looking to join a high-flying dot-com or to substantially increase their current salary by making a job change. A day didn't go by where someone you worked with was leaving for a better position with more money, or your company was growing exponentially and adding new people to the staff.
TIMES HAVE CHANGED!

Nowadays, people don't tell their co-workers when they are looking for a new job, and more often than not, your co-worker is getting a pink-slip instead of the big sign on bonus with stock options at a new company. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recently revealed that the “quits rate”, which serves as a barometer of workers’ ability to change jobs is at a near four-year low.  While the condition of the economy may keep you from going after your dream job, there are ways to search for a new career while hunkering down in your current position.

Before You Post Your Resume
Before posting your resume to a resume database search the jobs database first. Why is this important? Because you are looking to see if your current employer is using the database to post jobs. If they are, then there is a high probability they are searching the resume database as well, and may just happen to come across your resume in the database. Most resume databases now offer a confidential resume posting option. If you are worried about your current employer seeing your resume, choose the confidential option and “sanitize” your resume by removing your name, and company name information.

 
Don't Answer Blind Ads
When answering blind ads be wary as one might be from your current employer. If you answer it, there might be another job opening at your office -- yours.

Don't Use Your Company Email for Your Job Search
Most companies have "acceptable use policies" about company email. Additionally the policies may include scanning all incoming and outgoing email, with or without your knowledge. You don't want your boss reading your email about your job search. Don't put your company email in your resume either. To remain anonymous, create a separate email account exclusively for your job search using a free service such as hotmail or gmail.

Don't Give Out Your Company Voicemail Box
Use either your cell phone or your home phone for potential employers. . Don't give out your office phone. If you decide to give out your cell phone number, make sure that your voicemail greeting is professional sounding.
 
Never Do Your Job Search on Company Time
Not only will your employer find out, but also potential employers will figure out what you're doing and judge you negatively. Also don't use any resources of your present employer, such as stationery, postage, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.
 
Schedule Interviews During "Off Time"
Schedule interviews and make phone calls early in the morning, at lunchtime, during evenings and weekends. Use vacation time or personal days to job search. Potential employers will judge you better than if you "called in sick". The theory being that if you do it to your current employer you'll do it to a new employer as well.
 
Give References Outside the Company
Select people who may be able to reference you who have recently left the company. Insure that you first call them and explain how important their confidentiality is to your job search. Tell the potential employer you will give current references when a firm job offer is made.
 
Consider Using HeadHunters for Your Job Search
Headhunters typically work very confidentially and know where confidential jobs are. If you don't know any headhunters consider using a service like ResumeZapper http://resumezapper.com/ where they can email your resume to 1000s of headhunters who work confidentially and are looking to place candidates just like you.