Job search while employed is a popular notion because of the belief that prospective employers always prefer already working candidates to fill their vacancies. An actively working jobseeker is preferred because not much training need be given to the candidate. Moreover, the employer can expect continuity in the work because of an experienced candidate. Unemployed candidates face rough weather in trying to break into contention.
But searching for a job while still employed has its problems. Your present employer will not like to lose you that way. So, you will have to search for another job in a clandestine manner. But there are certain government jobs wherein you have to send your job application through proper channel, which means sending it through your higher officer, which you cannot obviously do.
You do not want your boss to know anything about your job trials because it will alert your boss to find your immediate replacement. You do not know when your efforts will prove successful. If your current efforts are leaked out, then there is this danger of losing even the current job. So, here are some tips to do job search while employed without exposing yourself:
Tips on Job Search While Employed
Play Safe with Email: You will have to do active searching for new job even while working at the office. It is not a good idea, but you will be forced to respond to emails etc. So, it is better to open a new email account and correspond with prospective employers through the new email. Try and work during your lunch time or after office hours. But most important advice: Try and find out your office regulations regarding usage of internet accessed through office computers. The office administrator may block certain email sites and whatever you do on office computers may be recorded and stored on the computer without your having the accessibility to change settings. Never give current office address or email ID to any prospective employers for communication.
Keep Mum: Obviously you want your efforts for a new job to remain confidential. So, do not reveal anything about your efforts or even about your new email address. You should keep the new email strictly for your job efforts. It is better to avoid any unimportant emails flooding your new email account making it difficult to search for important mails in the inbox.
Manage your job search: Schedule any interview only during lunch time or after office hours. Do not use any of the office machinery or stationary. Keep prospective employer informed about your availability. Request the new employer to maintain confidentiality. Never leave current job when it is most inconvenient to management. Never talk ill of the present employer. It will reflect badly on you.
Plan wisely: Try to utilize your day off wisely. Try to plan any interviews, or meetings, or any breakfast meetings on such days. You let your prospective employer know your predicaments. And you can peddle any excuses for late arrivals at the work place.
Use outside phone: Your cell phone may be restricted for use in office premises. Go out and call new employers away from office premises, like payphones. You have to invent excuses for your frequent disappearances from your table.
Be secretive with colleagues: Co-workers have a knack of smelling something that is out of place. Do not get into a situation that may force to reveal your new job trials. Jealousy may expose you prematurely. So, keep your job trials entirely to yourself.
Mind your Dress Code: You cannot afford to wear normal office working dress for the interview. The attire for the interview should be formal with suit and tie, which you normally do not wear for regular office. When interview is fixed during office hours, you have to somehow manage to change into formal dress and attend the interview without arousing any suspicion at the current working place. If interview is fixed during lunch hour, then it will be fine.
When to Tell Your Boss: When your new job is confirmed with written appointment order and when you are required to give notice of resignation to the current management, that will be the time to come out into the open. But try to come out amicably after discharging your current responsibilities diligently.
