Looking for a job is stressful, it can even feel like a full-time job. And balancing a job search with your current job responsibilities can be even more challenging.
But if you navigate your search with discretion, confidence, and good judgment, finding a new job while you’re currently employed can be a much less stressful process than while you’re unemployed.
Read on for our guide to finding a new job while currently employed and properly preparing for the next opportunity.
1. Get clarity on what you’re looking for in a new job.
The first step is to define how you want your next job to be. You can start by listing aspects of your dream job, such as:
- Industry
- Hours
- company culture
- Functions and responsibilities
- Deeper purpose of work.
Try to organize your thoughts into a list or journal entry to better understand your own needs.
Once you know what you want, you can focus on opportunities that seem to fit your needs as a professional and as a human being.
2. Be discreet when looking for a new job.
You may be tempted to hint to your co-workers about your dissatisfaction with the current situation or your excitement about a promising lead. Don’t If word gets out at your workplace that you’re looking for a new job, it could create a tense situation or even get you fired.
This means you should also not post on your social media accounts or LinkedIn about your job search. Being discreet will allow you to find the right replacement job without rushing.
3. Update your resume and LinkedIn.
Please take a moment to update your resume and LinkedIn, if you haven’t already. You’ll want to put your best face forward with this new opportunity, so make sure your professional image looks its best for new employers.
Be careful when updating your LinkedIn so you don’t alert your co-workers and boss in the process.
Considerations when updating your LinkedIn include:
- Turn off public notifications for updates to your LinkedIn profile
- Skipping any mention of looking for a new job.
- List only skills that match your current position
4. Use your personal devices to search for work.
Do not use company computers to search for job opportunities.
For one thing, it’s unprofessional to do this in your current company time. More importantly, it could draw attention to your workplace if someone sees a search engine autocomplete related to your job search or if an IT worker mentions unusual activity on company computers.
Please only use personal devices to visit job search sites and wait until you’re home to look for work. This way you will maintain professionalism and avoid scrutiny of your company.
5. Prioritize networking, rather than just applying to job boards.
Networking gives you a variety of advantages in your job search, including:
- Allowing you to leverage your current connections
- Minimize the time you spend chasing red herrings
- Reduce unnecessary/problematic visibility as a job seeker in the online realm
Searching for job boards can be tricky because it takes time and your boss may be watching. Networking allows you to leverage connections in a new job through meaningful interactions.
Visit our page at networking tips to help develop this vital soft skill.
6. Don’t use any current co-workers as a reference.
If possible, avoid listing current co-workers as references on your resume.
If you list someone as a reference and your prospective employer calls you, you’ll be broke. The co-worker can alert your workplace that you are looking to leave before the opportunity is a done deal.
Please note that you can always offer references upon request. You can postpone providing references until a prospective employer indicates that they are needed.
The situation is different if you are working on a limited contract or if you know your employment will end soon. Even then, list only co-workers you trust and ask them before including them.
7. Schedule interviews outside of business hours.
In the course of your job search, you will need to schedule interviews. Repeatedly leaving work for interviews is likely to arouse suspicion, so schedule interviews outside of business hours if possible.
Sometimes your interviewer is only available during business hours. In these situations, you can make up an excuse as a fallback tactic and use PTO. But doing it frequently can cause problems.
This even applies to telephone interviews. The need to “take a break” in the middle of the workday for a phone interview is a stressful and avoidable situation.
Set limits for yourself by telling potential employers which hours work and which don’t.
WATCH: Your Ultimate Guide to Preparing for a Tech Job Interview
8. Keep doing your best at your current job.
Avoid the temptation to slack off in your current job. You don’t want to get fired before you have a new job lined up. It’s not a good idea to ruin a professional relationship that could help you in the future.
Don’t try to spite your current employer or behave immaturely. Keep doing your best work despite the difficulties you face. Consider it practice for your next job.
9. Be patient and take care of yourself while looking for work.
Remember to practice self-compassion during the process of finding a new job. There will be red herrings that will lead to dead ends. The process might end up taking longer than you thought.
Remind yourself that you’re better off finding a new job while you’re unemployed. While the situation is not ideal, at least you are not facing the additional financial pressures of unemployment.
Don’t rush and don’t be hard on yourself. Remember that with persistence you will find a good fit in time.
10. Once you have accepted a job offer, send a letter of resignation to your current employer.
Now that you’re fully ready to start working on a better job, your next step is to submit a resignation letter to your current employer.
Submit your letter of resignation at least two weeks before the last scheduled day. It should be concise and polite. Alert your current employer to your plans, wish them well, and offer help with the transition.
A good resignation letter is not just a courtesy, it will allow you to leave your current employer without burning bridges.
11. Start your new job with confidence.
Now that you are about to embark on your New job, start with the right attitude. While it’s true that your last work experience wasn’t great, that doesn’t mean this one can’t be different!
Remember that you have the tools at your disposal to get a different result from this new opportunity. Use the lessons you learned in your last job and face the new one with confidence.
A positive and proactive attitude can help you overcome new job anxiety and set the right tone for the road ahead.