If You’re Still Employed and You’re Looking for a New Job, Be Sure to Follow These Tips
RDC-Kinshasa. 05-03-14. First Job Fair of MONUSCO organised by MONUSCO Administration. Photo Myriam Asmani / MONUSCO
Looking for a new job while you’re still employed is actually ideal; in case you wish to see if the grass is indeed greener on the other side. You may find yourself contemplating on moving in another company or trying a new career for various reasons. Aside from the possibly higher pay, other reasons could be career satisfaction and trying out new things. The reason why the ideal time to start looking for another job or company is while you’re currently employed is because of the financial and employment security. Your current job can support your daily needs and you still have work even if it takes time to find the new job that you like. Here are some of the things that you must keep in mind when you find yourself in this situation.
Maintain Quality Performance at Work
Since your mind is set on moving to another company, you may not have the same motivation to do well in your current work as you did before. Push yourself to still give your best performance. First, in case the new employer calls your old company, they would have nothing but good things to say about you. Second, in case you realize that your current job is much better than your other options, you wouldn’t have problems staying because of your consistent performance.
Don’t Let Anyone in the Company Know
Keep it a secret so that your days would be as comfortable as possible. You might feel awkward going to work knowing that everyone is talking about you looking for another job. If it reaches the higher management, it may also be difficult for you to get a raise or promotion since you are planning to leave anyway.
Let Friends and Family Outside Work Know
While you want to keep everything a secret with the people at work, it should be the opposite with your trusted friends and relatives outside the company. They may know of a position that fits you. Ask them to look out for job openings that you could consider and update you so you can see more options. This would make finding a new job a lot easier and faster than having to search all by yourself.
Search on Your Own Time and with Your Own Resources
It might be tempting to search for a new job while on duty, especially if you have all the resources in front of you. However, it’s not professional to use the company’s phone, computer and other resources for your plans to move to a new company. This could also distract you from work because instead of doing your daily tasks, you spend time on something that doesn’t benefit the business. Moreover, there’s a possibility that you would be caught and it would not be a good thing for your record. Do this when outside work or at least during your break.
Avoid Absences to Get to Interviews
Your attendance is equally important as your performance. You should also see to it that it’s not negatively affected by your job search, especially when you get to the interview part. As much as possible, schedule your interview on a date and time that would not affect your regular schedule at your current job. You may also have it scheduled on your break or take a leave so you can attend to the interview without sacrificing your time in your current work. This would also give a good impression to potential employers as it would show how responsible you are even when you’re already in the process of looking for a new job.
You may be asked by the interviewer if your current company knows about your job search. There’s no need to lie about it. Honesty is always the best policy. You can always ask them to keep it confidential at the moment. If they need references, you can always give the companies you worked for prior to your current one.
Photo Attribution:
Featured and 1st image by MONUSCO Photos (MONUSCO Job Fair) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
2nd image by Ferencz Thuroczy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
3rd image by bpsusf (http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfbps/4607149870/) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) or CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
