Job Search when you're working...

Question

I'm thinking of looking for something new, my job is going 'ok' but I'd like to find more and continue to grow my skills.  Certainly I don't want my current employer to know if I start searching - what's the best way to advertise, or can you, while keeping things confidential.  The field I'm in is a pretty 'small world' so I can't be sure that someone wouldn't say 'Hey this lady that works for you applied for us...' even though I would hope for better than that.  Thoughts?

Anonymous · Answer

I have been reaching out to folks directly and letting them know I am looking but ask that they keep it confidential.  I am in an IT support role in my company (publishing industry) and looking for other IT jobs but st companies unrelated to publishing so I hope there won’t be many connections.  LinkedIN does allow you to “blind” your current company so they don’t see your activity.

Jennifer A · Answer

You said 'it's a small world' and that makes it tough.  Close knit industries are sometimes like small families and secrets are difficult in families!

I agree that reaching out to 'trusted' people in your network and letting them know is key if you are planning to stay in the same network.   Additionally, if you don't need to stay in the same industry then as an IT professional here is what I did:

1.  Update your resume.  While you are at it, identify where you can customize it for each and every job you apply for.  Your resume should be reflective of the key words in the job add.   Same for the cover letter.  Also make sure you address the letter to a person.  LinkedIn and Google are great to find out names.

2.  Make sure your interview clothes are clean, easy to reach, and fit properly.  I once had 45 minutes to get from work to an interview - make sure you are prepared!

3.  Set up searches in the job search engines that are big in your area.  Set the searches up for multiple categories.  For me it was jobs over a certain salary, jobs within a certain radius and jobs with certain titles.  This will give you a good overview.  Have them delivered daily to your personal email and review every day.  See something, don't wait - apply.  When I was hiring, the first resume's in got most of my attention - not sure why but I think it's because I thought these were the people who were most hungry and I wanted go-getters!

4.  Turn off LinkedIn's - setting that informs your network when you make a a change and turn on the setting that says you are open to new opportunities!  You will get some spam out of this but local recruiters will see it too.

5.  Speaking of local recruiters - is there one who does a lot of placements in your area?  If yes, send them a note with your resume AND reach out weekly to semi-weekly to let them know you are there.  I had a recruiter once say that they get 100's of resume's but the ones that get jobs are the ones that can keep their name at the top of the list.  Be a polite but squeaky wheel.

Sorry about the detailed list - I'm a project manager and an IT professional... I tend to think in step by steps so that I can get it all done!

Good Luck!

TaschaB · Answer

I think its fairly rare for anyone to actually contact your current employer for this very reason - if it doesn't work out they don't want you to lose your job. But also make it known that they cannot contact your current employer if you are afraid, and provide at least 3 professional references instead.  You can make yourself open to recruiters on Linkedin but it won't share it to anyone else, though that is hard to say exactly how it works.

RoseG · Answer

to me I took on a similar  situation but I actually did it the safe legal and without implying that I was searching elsewhere for work...I made business cards and listed my title and generalized skills and I made a box print of it from Vistaprint  and I placed the cards in slots /at locations to be exposed/ and even in the DOL veteran department, because they are my legitimate business cards so you can try something in those lines my dear, and remember the business cards has your email so when u are contacted you can send your resume then.

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