Time and time again, studies show that the old adage that it’s easier to find a job while employed than unemployed is true. If you’ve decided it’s time for a change, the best time to search for a job is while you are still employed by your current employer.
This begs the question, how does one go about searching for a new job while employed? After all, searching for a new job is time consuming and can feel like a full-time job.
Here are some tips to help you if you’ve decided you are ready for a change.
Keep your job search quiet
It may be difficult to keep things quiet, especially once you start having some promising interviews, but it is very important you keep your job search quiet.
Even if you are careful to keep your search a secret from your boss, office gossip can spread quickly, be cautious about sharing details with co-workers or friends in the office.
If your boss catches wind that you are leaving, he or she may prematurely begin planning for your successor and you could end up in the unfortunate situation of being let go from your current employer before you have another offer in hand.
Here are some steps to take to keep things quiet:
- Don’t search or apply for jobs at work
- Refrain from posting about your job search on social media
- Continue to dress in line with the company dress code. This may mean changing in your car or a public bathroom for an interview
- Don’t use company email addresses, phone numbers or fax for your job search
Use your lunch hour
If you have the ability, try to move your lunch hour to outside of the noon – 1pm window. This will allow you to have some time to schedule interviews with potential employers.
You should also use your lunch hour to network. Schedule lunches with contacts to try to get your foot in the door and learn more about potential job leads.
Time block
Finding the time to actually craft a tailored resume, cover letter, and other necessary documents is often the hardest part of finding a job while employed.
A good way to handle this is to block off an hour each week to devote to your job search. Think of this as an important meeting you cannot reschedule and block it off on your calendar.
Review your employment contract
Do you have a non-solicitation clause or a non-compete clause in your current employment contract? Such clauses can limit you in your new position.
It’s important to make sure you understand your current employment agreement so that you can take appropriate steps and make appropriate disclosures to new potential employers so as to avoid any threat of litigation.