There might be several reasons for why you might be looking for a new job. And for many of us, the best time to look is when you are already employed. But this search requires us to be equal parts strategic and stealthy to avoid having any awkward conversations with your current employer.
How to Pursue a Job While Still Employed
Finding a new opportunity while already employed can be easily doable but you need to take the right approach. If you’re feeling like a change is in store for you, the following job search tips can help you find your next gig and leave your current one on a good note.
1. Check Your Company’s Internal Job Opening Database
Sometimes your dissatisfaction stems from your current position than the work environment. If that’s the case, investigate what additional roles are currently open at your organization. When it comes to filling vacancies, many employers prefer internal candidates.
2. Keep your job search out of the office
Remaining discreet is key when searching for a new role to avoid having your job security threatened. Fortunately, one way to do this is to avoid using any office equipment to search or submit resumes, as many devices save files to internal servers that can be monitored. Your company may also track your phone use, so it’s best if you use your personal cell phone to further your job search, but make sure no one at work overhears your conversations.
3. Keep it to yourself
Your job search is a personal decision. Even if you trust your colleagues, you can’t control what they share with others. It’s best to stay quiet about your plans so your intentions don’t get around to the wrong people. During the interview process, it’s also important to explain to prospective employers that your current company doesn’t know about your job hunt and ask them to not contact your supervisor or coworkers. Also, be careful about listing current coworkers as references — you never know whom they may tell.
4. Avoid neglecting your current role
The responsibilities of your current job come first, so it’s important for you to dedicate time outside of work hours to search for a new position. Even if you’re unhappy with your current job, remember that you’re still getting a paycheck, so you need to stay positive and focused on your tasks. When you do find a new job, you want to leave on good terms, with your manager and coworkers feeling positive about your contributions to the office. You never know when you might run into them again.
To job search effectively, it’s important to figure out a consistent schedule to meet your needs to avoid distractions and keep you focused on applying. For many, this can mean carving out an hour or two before work, after work, or on your lunch hour.
5. Schedule smartly
Most hiring managers understand that you’ll need to make arrangements to communicate or meet outside of office hours. If possible, ask if interviews can be scheduled before or after work, or during your lunch break if time allows. Not only does this allow you to avoid any unexcused absences from your current employer, but it also communicates to prospective employers that you have integrity.
6. Monitor your vacation days
Remote interviews over the phone or on video calls have become increasingly common, especially for preliminary screenings of applicants. But if you’re a finalist within the interview process, you may be asked to either complete an in-person interview with the company or commit several hours with the organization’s leadership team. If you know you’ll be ramping up your job search in the coming months, be cognizant about how you use your personal time off to make sure you have enough time to commit to interviews.
7. Don’t dress differently than normal
If you show up to work in a suit and tie because you have a job interview that day, but you never wear a suit and tie to work, this will raise suspicions. Bring your interview clothes with you to work and change in the car or in the restroom when you get to your destination.
8. Leverage ClearanceJobs
If you’re looking for a new role as a cleared professional, there’s no better way to these opportunities than to use our website. More than 1,900 companies are looking to fill combined 62,000 open roles. They are using our platform to find security-cleared professionals like you. Simply create your account today for the chance to find your future professional home.
9. Finish strong
If you’ve decided to leave, give ample notice, offer to ease the transition process in any way you can, and work hard right until your departure. You just never know where your boss could show up next. And who knows where life takes you? Leaving as well as you can is only going to help your situation.
