AtlasAdvancement

The worst time to look for a new job is when you need one.   What if your company goes under or needs to downsize and you’re on the list to be laid off?  You will immediately be in a hurry to find another job, and you may be desperate to find something fast and could make a mistake.  Also, if you’re unemployed, you do not have much room for negotiating a high salary for yourself.  Therefore, the best time to look for a new job is while you still have one: you have negotiating room plus the security of an incoming paycheck.  Recruiters and career experts offer several tips for conducting a successful search while still employed:

1.  Assess your risks of getting caught by your current employer:
   If your current employer finds out you are unhappy and are planning on leaving your current company for another, it may cost you your job.  However, if you are working in a contract position, you will be leaving when the contract ends anyways.  Assess the risk of your employer knowing about your job search; some employers are happy to support you in your career move, while others are quick to terminate you for not contributing to the company, lack of loyalty, or frustration at having to find a replacement for you.
   
   
2. Be careful where you send and where you post your resume:
   Websites such as monster.com, careerbuilder.com are great places to start looking for a job, however, be aware that your boss could easily find your resume posted on one of these websites.  Companies frequently find resumes of their own employees on the internet.  If you send your resume to a friend who’s going to pass it on, make sure you know who’s receiving it and what they plan to do with it.  If you write blogs on the internet, be careful what you say regarding your dissatisfaction with your current job.
   
   
3. Be careful when networking:
   Although networking can be crucial when finding a new job, be careful who you talk to.  If it’s important to keep your job search confidential, be sure you can trust who you talk to.  Be clear about your need to keep your job search quiet; tell the person (s) up front not to tell anyone without your permission.  Networking with as many people as you can increases your chances of coming across a good opportunity, but you need to make sure you can trust them to be discreet.
   
   
4. Choose your words wisely:
   Instead of saying, “I hate my job now, I’m not getting paid enough; I want to find a better job now,” which comes across as too frank and could haunt you if your current employer finds out; use neutral phrasing so your job search isn’t quite as obvious.  Say something like, “I am always open to learning about new opportunities that could enhance my career.”
   
   
5. Keep your job search completely personal and away from work:
   You are obligated to do your job while you are at the office, and should never search for a new job at work, even if on a lunch break or after work hours.  Using company equipment to aid you in your job search, even if you’re not on the clock, is considered unethical and you could get caught. Don’t give out your work phone number to employers.  You won’t be able to discuss your resume or schedule an interview when you’re at work because someone could overhear you.  Never use your work e-mail; at some companies, incoming e-mails are screened, or in rare circumstances it could fall into the wrong hands (i.e. if an employer walks by your computer and glances at your screen.)  Only give out your cell phone or home phone number and your personal e-mail address.  If you give your cell phone, make sure it’s your personal phone and not company issued.  Employees have been fired for conducting a job search with their company phone.
   
   
6. Emphasize with prospective employers to keep your job search a secret when doing reference checks:
   Ask prospective employers to keep your inquiry confidential.  If you speak to them over the phone, mention it then, but it’s also a good idea to include a line in your cover letter or at the bottom of your resume.
   
   
7. Continue to stay focused at your current job!
   Once you’ve made a definite decision to leave your current job, it can be hard to stay focused.  You need to continue to work just as hard for three reasons.  One, you may not find your dream job right away, and could end up staying in your current job for months or even a year.  If you’re up for a promotion or a raise, you don’t want to ruin your chances of getting one, especially if this could impact your job satisfaction and make you regret choosing to leave.  Two, if you give up or start slacking off, you could get fired.  This would leave you unemployed with no room to negotiate a salary with a prospective new employer.  Three, if you are planning on using a current boss or co-worker as a reference check, you want to be sure they can attest to your hard work, effort, and determination.  You always want your co-workers and employer to hold you in the highest regard and respect your contribution to the company.
   
   
8. Let AtlasAdvancement do the work for you!
   You may not have time to do the proper job search for yourself, or you may be weary of your current employer finding out you’re looking for a new job.  If you form a relationship with AtlasAdvancement, we will never send your resume somewhere without first obtaining your permission.  We do the research for you and can quickly break down the job opportunities our clients have available.  At AtlasAdvancement, we value confidentiality and can assure you personalized career counseling and prepare you for interviews in an efficient, timely process.