If you’re planning on finding a new job and quitting your current one, you’re not alone. The Great Resignation is still going on. According to a Resume Builder survey, one in four workers plan to find a new job in 2022, and half of them are looking for better wages and benefits.
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Whatever your reason for looking for another job, it’s crucial to do it the right way. To help you out, here are some professional tips from employment experts to get you on the right track if you’re looking for a new job while still employed.
Be clear about your motivation for leaving your current job
“A new director? asked Jen Emmons, talent strategist at Carex Consulting Group. “Lack of opportunities or increase in total compensation? Do you want a smaller or larger business? Another culture ? Have you grown up and want something new? Or maybe if you’re being honest with yourself, maybe you’ve cut ties and want a fresh start? Self-knowledge is essential. »
Emmons said it’s important to know the real reasons you’re looking for a new job. “It will help you present yourself differently and avoid repeating past mistakes in your next role,” she said.
Do not share your projects with your colleagues
“When you’re trying to stay professional while looking for a new job while you’re still employed, it’s in your best interest not to talk about it with anyone at your current job,” said Rachel Eddins, career counselor and manager. Board of Eddins Counseling. . “It’s really nobody’s business but yours, and it can cause problems within the office to talk about actively seeking another job.”
She added: “Even if you think your conversations with friends at work are safe, it may be too risky. If word gets to your boss, it could cause serious problems and make things awkward when you haven’t even found a new job yet.
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Never use your employer’s time or resources to seek employment
“Do your job search from home, using your own email address and computer,” said Michelle Dumas, founder and CEO of Distinctive Career Services, LLC. “Never include your work email address on your resume and never respond to a job search request using your work email address. You shouldn’t even use your work computer to store or print your RESUME. “
Adjust your LinkedIn profile settings
“Adjust your privacy settings so updates aren’t shown for all of your logins each time you make a change,” said Greg Marano, resume specialist at The Syracuse Pen. “This will make it harder for your boss or co-workers to notice any flurries of activity that might raise suspicion.”
Think twice before using LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” label
“Be careful when applying the LinkedIn ‘Open to Work’ label,” Marano said. “Your current employer can see it, and it could make your time harder (or make them less likely to give you time for an interview). On the other hand, you could use it as a tactic to get the raise. want; if they see you’re serious about leaving, that may be the incentive they need to find ways to make you happy enough to stay. Use this technique with caution, though; it can backfire on you!
To be efficient
“Keep a spreadsheet with openings, applications and key details, and save copies of job postings for reference,” said Dan Shortridge, resume writer and career coach at Results Resumes. “It will save you time and energy later.”
be smart
“Use your network to identify opportunities that aren’t being advertised and gain valuable referrals,” Shortridge said. “Reach out to trusted former colleagues, mentors and managers who can speak highly of your work and ask them for any leads they know of. The emphasis here is on ‘reliability’: make sure that they’re not going to spill the wicks on your search.”
Shortridge had another tip for playing it safe when looking for a job. “Also, research your target employers and key personnel to see if they have connections to key personnel at your current employer. In a small industry, people can be closer than you think.
Submit fewer but higher quality applications
“Pick and choose the jobs you really want and the ones you’re really qualified for,” said Alan Edwards of Undercover Recruiter. “Take the time to tailor and personalize your CV and cover letters for each one. It is better to send 10 applications and get five interviews than to send 100 applications and only get one.
Explain your situation to potential employers
“If you’re already employed and looking for a new job, you can’t just ask your boss for a referral,” Eddins said. “For this reason, it can be more difficult to offer good references to potential employers. If you let [prospective employers] know you’re still employed and didn’t say so [your current employer] you are looking for a new job, they are more likely not to call your manager. »
Avoid rash decisions
“Interviews can be stressful and it can be tempting to accept the first job offer you receive,” said Chris Lewandowski, president of Princess Dental Staffing. “However, it’s important to take the time to consider all of your options before making a decision. Remind yourself why you want to quit your current job in the first place. If these issues are not resolved in your new role, move on to another opportunity. »
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How to properly search for a new job when you already have one
