How To Keep Your Confidential Job Search, Confidential

Looking for a new job? What would happen if your current employer found out? Some might bend over backward to keep you, but others might see you as a threat, a disruptive influence in the workplace, or might believe that you’re not putting in 100%. While it’s fair to say that the decision to further your career will have some impact on how you view your current role unless you behave unprofessionally it shouldn’t affect your performance and working relationships.

Easy to say, but unfortunately, human nature will inevitably change how your employer views you. That’s why it’s generally the best idea not to tell them, or anyone else at work, that you’re planning a move. However, people do slip up. Job hunting is demanding; it takes time and it can involve a bit of subterfuge, especially if you need to take time off to attend interviews. If you don’t keep your wits about you, it’s easy to accidentally leave clues to your intentions that your current employer could pick up on.

5 JOB SEARCH MISTAKES TO AVOID

Here are some common mistakes that candidates make, take note so you don’t repeat their fails!

1. Updating LinkedIn

Yes, of course, you need to update your LinkedIn profile, in fact it’s one of the most important things you need to do before embarking on your new job search but remember to turn notifications off! Otherwise, every time you make a change, however minor, to your profile it will pop up in your boss’ newsfeed alerting them to your goal. Notifications can be turned off in the settings area of your LinkedIn account—under "Choose whether or not to share your profile edits."

2. Using Your Current Employer's Time And Resources

While scanning a document you need for your application may seem like a minor infringement on your employer/employee contract, it can come back to bite you hard! It’s very easy to leave a digital trail of your activities at work, whether that’s the major no-no of using your work email address to communicate with a prospective employer, photocopying your CV, searching job boards on your company’s WiFi, or any other use of their resources and time. Instead, confine your job search activities to lunch breaks and your time off, and always use your own phone, tablet, or laptop for any digital non-work related tasks.

3. Dressing for Interview Success

Attending an interview during lunch, before or after work, or during a half day is fine. But make sure you don’t give the game away by turning up at work looking like that’s where you’ve been! If your work garb is suited and booted anyway then this won’t be an issue, but if you’re the master of smart/casual, you’ll need to allow time to change and work out the logistics of doing this before or after your interview.

4. Confiding In Your Colleagues

As mentioned above, it’s generally not a good idea to tell anyone at work that you’re looking for a new job. Even if you avoid the office gossip, someone may trip up and let your secret out by accident. But also confiding in a close colleague can have a negative impact on your professional relationships. They may feel disappointed that you’re going, or it might make them question their own job and position. They may even have their eyes on your vacant desk and this will put additional pressure on you. Factor in how long it can take to find the right opportunity and the setbacks you might experience along the way, and it can become quite stressful if your work colleagues are expecting you to leave within a few months.

5. Taking Your Eye Off the Ball at Work

Make sure you don’t give your current employer any cause for concern about your performance at work. If they suddenly see a dip in productivity because your focus is on your job search, they’ll start to investigate. If you’ve also just had a new haircut and started dressing smartly, they may put two and two together! Also, remember that you will need a reference at some point. Consider the remaining time you have in your current role as a way of gaining a great reference and also some additional achievements that can help you further your career.