How to Keep Your Job Search Under Wraps
June 7th, 2011Searching for a new job is stressful enough. But having your job hunt exposed to your boss can put your current position at risk – before you’re ready to jump ship. And with the economy still stagnating, there are no guarantees that you’ll find a new opportunity in a timely manner. To help you, here are some suggestions on how you can conduct an effective – and confidential – search for jobs in the Northwest:
1. Be discerning about where you send your resume.
Some job seekers take the approach of applying to every single opening under the sun. Not only is this not effective, it can also expose your job search much faster. So only apply to those Northwest jobs that you truly feel are the right fit for you, even if they are few and far between. Also, in your cover letter, let the employer know that your job search is confidential.
2. Keep your LinkedIn updates to a minimum.
If you’re regularly trying to polish your LinkedIn profile, and you’re connected to your boss or co-workers via the site, then they will be notified of those updates. Making a few edits is fine; everybody does it (or should be doing it) on an ongoing basis. But making numerous updates and getting recommendations week after week will most certainly shine a light on your job search.
3. Don’t use office equipment.
No matter how tempting it can be, don’t use any office equipment or systems, whether it’s the copier or the Internet, to conduct your job search. First, if those systems are monitored, then your job search will be exposed. Secondly, it’s just plain wrong to use resources belonging to your current employer for your job search. Instead, use your cell phone to check your email. And if you need to make a phone call, wait until your lunch break.
4. Dress carefully.
Warning bells will go off if your typical work outfit consists of jeans and a t-shirt and all of a sudden you start showing up wearing a suit and tie. So either build enough time into your schedule to go home and change, or bring a change of clothes with you.
5. Try not to disrupt your workday with job interviews.
If possible, try to schedule interviews after work or early in the morning. Hiring managers understand that you are currently employed and, as a result, some may be willing to schedule an interview at 7:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.
If that’s not possible, then try to use your lunch break for interviews. An interview may last longer than an hour, so you’ll need to let your current employer know that you will be using some personal time after lunch for an appointment.
Whatever you do, try to keep the disruption to your workday at a minimum. If you’re coming in late or leaving early regularly, without a good reason, your boss will begin to suspect you’re interviewing for jobs.
If you’re currently employed, and would like some help finding a new job, please contact Provisional. Not only can we uncover rewarding jobs in the Northwest that are a fit for your skills and personality, but all of our searches are conducted in a completely confidential manner. Contact us today if you’d like to get started.
