Job Search While You Have a Job

Job searching when you already have a job can be difficult, but sometimes it is the best thing you can do for your career. Many people only look for a job when they are forced to. Doing it on your own time gives you more security and flexibility to find the best possible offer. Searches have to be kept quiet in order to avoid problems in your current workplace. Update your resume and hone your interview skills as you apply for new roles. While you still have to balance your old responsibilities, you can use your job search to take advantage of bigger and better opportunities.

Steps

Searching Successfully for New Work

1. Make a short-term and long-term career plan. Searching for a new job is a big undertaking, so get the most out of it. Ask yourself about your current role and what you’re hoping to find in a new job. This could be the difference between staying in your current line of work and doing something completely different. Be as honest with yourself as possible.
   • For example, ask yourself, “What do I like and dislike about my current job? What would I change about it?”
   • Determine what your strengths, weaknesses, and skills are. These are all useful for advertising yourself to potential employers. Also, figure out if you’re happy in your current role and if it’s allowing you to reach your full potential.
   • Hashing out a plan allows you to understand yourself better and come up with a clearer idea of what direction you want your career to go in. You may even decide you prefer staying in your current role or company.
   • Making detailed career plans will help you to stay focused on your goals. Consider setting a 6-month plan covering what you need to do in the near-future and a 2 to 5 year plan for long-term goals.
2. Identify the kinds of jobs you feel comfortable applying for. Once you know where you want to end up, start figuring out how to get there. This will depend on what kind of work you enjoy doing and are trained to do. Besides a salary and benefits, jobs come with the opportunity to learn new skills and take on new challenges. You may decide that you need to go back to school, take a different role in the company, or even relocate to find what is right for you.
   • Compare your current role to similar roles with other organizations. Also, look at jobs in higher levels and in different sectors to see what you skills you have and are lacking. If you know what kind of role you want, you can start working toward it right away.
   • Don’t be too concerned if your skills or experience level aren’t exact matches for the jobs you’re searching for. Get a sense of what is available and what you’re interested in.
3. Update your resume to include your current job. It’s easy to forget about your resume until you need it. If you haven’t already, set aside some time to indicate your current employment and any skills you have gained from it. Relate all of this information to your goals and what you’re looking for in a new job.
   • For example, if you want to change careers, prepare a functional resume to show off your transferable skills. However, if you are looking for a similar position to the one you currently hold, write a chronological resume that highlights your most relevant and beneficial work experiences.
   • Get into the habit of updating your resume every 3 months so you’re not stuck doing it while juggling a job and a job search. It is useful for analyzing your own performance and future goals. Even if you’re not actively searching outside your current company, you never know when a good opportunity will show up.
4. Write a cover letter tailored to each position you apply for. A cover letter is the front page of your resume and introduces yourself and your qualifications. It is designed to make you look like a valuable job candidate. For that reason, read the job description for the position you are applying for and write a brief couple of paragraphs about why you want it. Use it to draw attention to the most important parts of your resume.
   • Before you start the job search process in earnest, write up a sample cover letter. Tweak it over time to make it relevant for specific jobs. Having a basic template saves you time later on.
   • While you can submit a generic cover letter to each job, that is boring. A good cover letter makes you stand out from other applicants and shows employers that you want to work for them.
5. Look for job listings in postings online and in print. There are many ways to look for a new job, but most people start with quick searches for open availabilities. Check out your local newspaper, job posting boards in your community, or go to a job posting website. Look for recent jobs that match your skills and qualifications. Send your updated resume and cover letter to start the process of transitioning from your old job.
   • Keep in mind that job hunting can be a lengthy experience. You might not find anything you like and you may not get called into interviews right away. If you’re certain you want to leave your old job, stay with it and be patient as you search.
6. Find jobs by networking with other people. Many people hear about new openings from people they know. Through networking, you extend your contacts to the roles you’re interested in taking. Your current coworkers are a good starting point, so listen for any opportunities they discuss. Speak with outside sources you know and forge new connections for more opportunities.
   • For example, go to a networking event for professionals in your area. If you’re looking at a specific industry or company, reach out to people in those roles. Send an email or invite them out for coffee.
   • Another option is through social media. Update your profile information, but be discreet about it. Tell only people you trust that you’re looking for something new.
   • Networking is the fastest way to get into an interview, so having a big network is helpful when you’re looking to make a change. It beats blindly applying to every interesting job opening you see.

Staying Discreet and Professional

1. Keep your job search a secret from your boss and coworkers. Even though there is nothing wrong with exploring new opportunities, your current employer may take your search personally. It often becomes a distraction when an employer doesn’t take it in stride. Your boss may think you’re not focused on your current job, or they may treat you differently. Remember that your bosses and coworkers have their own priorities, so your job search isn’t a great subject of conversation at work.
   • Letting the news leak could harm your relationship with your current employer. Bosses and supervisors may no longer consider you for new opportunities or promotions. The job search is often a long process, so keep your options open and don’t burn any bridges.
   • Be careful about telling your coworkers, since that increases the chance that your boss hears the news through the grapevine. If you’re leaving, your boss needs to hear it from you first, not through office gossip.
2. Search for jobs on your own time instead of at work. One of the most important considerations when searching for a new job is timing. Keep up business as usual while you’re searching. Most companies have the ability to monitor online searches and emails done at the office. Using company resources to search is inconsiderate and could get you in trouble.
   • Think of it this way: you’re thinking of leaving, so your employer has plenty of reason to let you go if you’re doing something wrong. Stay professional by focusing on your work. Maintain a good relationship with your employer.
   • You’re going to have to make time for the job search, such as during evenings and weekends. Maintaining a regular job while searching for new opportunities can be tiring, but it pays off once you’re able to leave on amicable terms.
3. Leave your current boss off the reference portion of your resume. It backfires when your prospective employer rings your current boss. Unless your boss knows you’re planning on leaving and gives you their blessing, this is a bad way to break the news. Don’t be surprised if your boss trusts you less. Your boss could even be shocked enough to serve as a negative reference.
   • You still need 3 to 7 references on your resume, so find people you trust. Former employers, colleagues, teachers, and supervisors are a few examples of good references. Give your contact a heads-up to let them know you’re listing them as a contact.
   • Try to avoid using current coworkers as references, since that would spoil your secret. If you have to use a current coworker, choose someone you’re sure you can trust.
4. Limit what you post to social media sites. Although professional networking sites are a great tool for self-promotion, they could also spoil your search. Update your profile so it’s current, but don’t post anything more than that. Expect your boss and coworkers to spot anything out of the ordinary. Criticism of your current job, as well as sharing job openings you are interested in, could get back to your employer.
   • When using these sites, don't advertise the fact that you are actively searching for new jobs. That means no status updates! If you don’t have any work contacts on your profile, set it to private.
   • Be wary of uploading your resume to online job websites. Someone in your company could see it and alert your boss.
5. Take calls from other companies outside of your office. Leave your work email and phone number off of your resume. The search is your private business. You wouldn’t let your boss barge into your home to make work calls, so be respectful of your surroundings. Use a personal email address and phone number to ensure your current job and your future one don’t cross.
   • If you have to speak to a potential employer during the workday, try to do it on your lunch break using a cell phone. Step outside on your call and head for your car or another private location. If you have your own office, you could go there and shut the door to ensure you get a little privacy.
   • Check your personal email and phone number at least once a day when you get home from work. Try to refrain from checking anything at work. If a message is time-sensitive, wait for your lunch break to reply.
6. Accept a new job offer before resigning from your current job. Wait for the potential employer to check your references and give you a firm starting date. The last thing you need is for the offer to be withdrawn right after you submit your resignation. In the meantime, keep your options open. Get through your current work responsibilities while keeping an eye on other opportunities as they arise.
   • There are some times when leaving your job is the better option. For example, it could give you more time to search and learn new skills, especially if you’re unhappy with where you’re at. Use your discretion to make the best choice for your situation.
   • Remember to stay professional by giving your current employer adequate notice of your intentions. At a minimum, give at least 2 weeks’ notice so your boss has time to prepare for your departure.

Succeeding in Interviews

1. Rehearse for potential questions you may be asked at an interview. After applying to a few jobs, you will hopefully hear back from a few of them. Prepare for these interviews by reading more about the company and your potential job duties. Come up with some basic answers about what skills you’re bringing to the company and other questions you are likely to hear. Try practicing by answering questions in the mirror or with some friends.
   • Remember to follow up after an interview if you really want the job. Contact your interviewer to thank them and ask them for a status update.
2. Come up with a good reason for leaving your current job. An interview isn’t a good place to air your dirty laundry. Potential employers are looking for positive, hard-working employees with a lot to offer. Simply tell them that you want to join a company that values your skills and will let you utilize them more fully. Avoid harshly criticizing your current job if you can help it.
   • For example, if you don’t like your current boss, say, “Although I like the company’s mission, I decided it was better to go in a different direction.”
   • It’s okay to say that you want new challenges to continue to grow. You could also point out that you were a bad fit for your old job. Try to point out your current job’s positive points so you don’t sound too grim.
3. Schedule interviews outside of your ordinary work hours, if possible. Set your interviews before or after your work hours. Try to organize them for the weekend or during your lunch break if those are options. This all depends on your own work schedule and how it syncs up with your potential employer. As long as you aren’t slipping away from work when you’re on the clock, you’re taking a professional approach that your employer has to respect.
   • If you have no other alternative, take time off for the interview. Schedule a half-day or take off for personal time, but don’t lie if you can help it. Instead of calling in sick, tell your employer that you need time off for “personal reasons” or “family business.”
   • If you end up scheduling an interview around your work schedule, be aware of what you’re wearing. Your boss and coworkers will know something is up if you suddenly show up in a suit and tie. Store your interview clothes in a bag or stop at home if you need to change.
4. Stay calm and collected when going through interviews. Interviews are stressful, so it’s not surprising that a lot of people get nervous. Control your energy so you are able to treat interviews like a conversation. Stay friendly and answer questions to the best of your ability. It will increase your chances of getting hired.
   • Interviewers get plenty of potential candidates who talk quickly and loudly because they are so ready to get out of their old job. They can spot when a candidate is desperate to leave a position. Focus on the job you’re applying for instead of the one you’re leaving.

Tips

• Staying in your current role during the search means a steady paycheck, but it also looks good on your resume. If you’re still working, that makes you seem like you’re in demand and a good candidate.
• Most employers will ask you if they are allowed to contact your current boss as a reference. Say no so your boss doesn’t get a surprise phone call letting them know you’re looking for another job!
• One of the most important parts of the search is staying professional. A past employer could be your best reference or your worst enemy depending on how you leave the company.

Warnings

• Job searching while on the job is tricky and can cause problems if you aren’t careful. Employers need focused employees who will stick around, so keep your search quiet and private.

References

See also

• Leave a Job You've Outgrown
• Downsize Your Own Job
• Get Out of Job Jail
• Get Your Last Paycheck and Team Hot Check After Transferring
• Retain Your Job in Crisis
• Recover From Unemployment
• Give Up Your Job and Feel Good
• Work Beyond 65
• Handle Anxiety About a Promotion
• Tell If Your Career is Stalled

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