5 Tips for Finding a New Job While Still Employed
Changing jobs is a natural progression in a person’s career. After working in a company for a few years, most employees start looking for better opportunities or simply a change of environment. The need for changing jobs usually comes as a part of the human need for growth, or perhaps a promotion in designation and/or salary, which may not be possible in their current role for various reasons. However, whether you wish for a salary hike or a change in the job role, finding a new job while still employed can be a tricky path to tread.
It is crucial for employed individuals to follow some necessary steps when looking for jobs to ensure that the most relevant prospective employers can find them while discretion is maintained.
5 Tips to finding jobs while employed.
Tip 1: Do not post on Job Boards:
Job Boards make your profile public, leading many employers to contact you. If many employees keep contacting you, firstly, you will be distracted at work, thereby affecting performance in your current office. Additionally, if any employers contact you abruptly during the day, this can also cause suspicion in your workplace. When finding a new job while being employed, being discreet is vital. Reach out to companies privately through LinkedIn or the company’s careers portal itself. Write a detailed cover letter each time, customized to align with the goals of the company and your career goals as well.
Tip 2: Update LinkedIn
Speaking of LinkedIn, it is essential to keep it updated. This is essential because LinkedIn is a compelling networking platform, and prospective employers now ask candidates to link their LinkedIn profiles in the cover letter or in a separate section. They use the LinkedIn profile to assess the profile of a candidate in addition to their resumes and cover letter. It is much more critical to ensure that your profile updates are hidden from your connections, especially your current employers and colleagues. Do not put on a “looking for a job” tag on your profile for obvious reasons.
Tip 3: Don’t mess up in your office
While you are looking for jobs, it is crucial to ensure that you do not start messing up at your current job. Even if you are ahead in the selection process and are confident of getting the job, do not adopt a “who cares?” attitude until you have an offer in hand that you are ready to sign. Make sure that your work gets the same amount of effort and care as it would if you were not looking for jobs. Often, even if the talks are going well, negotiations can cause you or the company to decline the final joining. As such, until a satisfactory contract is received, signed, and accepted, focus on your current job well.
Tip 4: Scheduling Interviews:
Interviews in new companies take a significant amount of time and care to crack. The good part is that all employers now understand the plight of an employee looking for a change. As such, they are willing to schedule the interview at a time that is mutually agreeable. Work from home has, however, made this process a little easier, where people can identify possible breaks and schedule interviews then. Schedule your meetings outside of your working hours or when you are certain of a long enough break and are not on the office premises. It is essential to ensure that the office does not get any hint of you finding employment in another company because this can have adverse effects in case you do not find a suitable opportunity and decide to stick with the present employer.
Tip 5: Carefully List References
If you are trying to hide the fact that you are looking for jobs elsewhere, putting down your current employer or a colleague as a reference is possibly the worst thing you can do. Wondering why? Well, employers do not inform you that they will be checking out your references or contacting them to talk about you. They do it as they seem fit. Now suppose you have not told your current boss that you are looking for jobs, and he receives a call from another company asking about you and informing him about your interest in that firm. One can only imagine the scenarios that will follow. Be smart and don’t put your current bosses or colleagues as your reference.
There are many more things to keep in mind when looking for jobs while still employed; however, the ones mentioned above are the most crucial. Remember that it is necessary to take all the steps to prevent your current boss and colleagues from finding out about your plans. Additionally, it is also crucial not to get in over your head and develop a reckless attitude, especially until you have accepted a job offer, and probably even after that, to maintain your own good habits.
