Searching for a job while you have a job

Searching for a new job while you still have one is a great idea. While interviewing for a new job you will have leverage because you already have a career and are searching for a better option.

Here are some tips to aid in your covert search:

#1 - Do not search for a job from your present workplace. Keep searching to an absolute minimum from your current job because you don't want them to find out! Inevitably you will get careless, leave a job website open, print a copy of your resume or leave a file on your computer named "resume" and you will get caught. Resist the temptation to search for jobs online from work. Someone is always watching your internet traffic. Use your lunch hour, nights/weekends and computer at home to do the bulk of the work.

#2 - Set up a free web based e-mail account to send and receive all your e-mails. Any service like Hotmail.com or Yahoo! will work. Do not have anything sent to your work account. Someone is always watching you there. Check the free account during work hours but be very careful.

#3 - Get in your car and go to a parking garage to make calls. Make calls in your car away from your current employer's parking lot. Don't get caught in your car sitting there with resumes everywhere while on the phone. Use your lunch hour to get away.

#4 - Keep a copy of your resume on a "thumb drive" instead of on your hard drive at work. Small keychain thumb drives are very cheap now. Keep this with you so anytime someone needs a copy you can e-mail it to them.

#5 - Try not to tell anyone at work that you are looking. Your trusted friend can also slip up too so it's best not to tell anyone at the start. When you start to get offers, tell only a select few people you can trust so they can be your references (and remain your advocate) before anything negative breaks out.

#6 - Use anonymous/confidential names and company names on your online resume when possible. When you put your resume out on Monster.com they give you an option to remain anonymous. Don't forget to put "Confidential" for your current employer too. Keep info out of snooping recruiter's hands and others who may stumble across you on the internet. This will not hurt your chances, only protect your current job.

#7 - Keep interview clothes in your car so you can stop at a restaurant or gas station to change into this outfit after leaving your present job for an interview. Do not wear interview clothes to your present job. People automatically ask you if you're interviewing whether you are or not.

As always, do you best in your current job and find that next great career!

Till next time... Good luck! Scott