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Last Updated on March 5, 2025
Everyone loves their job and never wants to change, right? Wrong! Sometimes, a person lands a dream role and settles in for the long term. However, what often happens is that you take a position as a stopgap and stay there longer than imagined. When this happens, you desperately need to find a new job to kick-start your career but can’t let your current employer find out. Not only is it a fireable offense, but it also burns bridges you may need to cross in the future. So, what are the next steps for an employed person to get out?
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What This Article Covers
- Enhancing Your Skills: Learn how online courses can help you gain new qualifications and transition to a new career without alerting your employer.
- Creating a
Job Search Email : Discover why using a dedicatedemail address for job searching keeps your efforts organized and discreet. - Separating Work and
Job Search : Understand why keepingjob search activities separate from your current job prevents unnecessary risks. - Using Confidential Resumes: Explore how to keep
your resume private and prevent your employer from discovering yourjob search . - Controlling Resume Distribution: Find out how to manage who gets access to
your resume to avoid exposure. - Maintaining
Job Search Privacy: Learn best practices for using LinkedIn andjob boards without raising red flags. - Keeping Quiet About Your Search: Understand why discretion is crucial when looking for a new job while still employed.
- Managing Employer Reactions: Get insights into handling employer responses professionally to protect your reputation and future opportunities.
Enhance Your Skills
Working in an industry you don’t like isn’t uncommon. Sadly, people who want to make a change need to stand out from the crowd. Therefore, transitioning into a new sector without qualifications or experience is never easy. Of course, obtaining either is almost impossible when you are employed, but it isn’t unrealistic. The key is an online course to learn new skills or improve existing skills. With new or enhanced skills, the odds of securing a new position increase greatly. Plus, there is no reason for your employer to find out because you don’t need time off work.
Your Email Address
The first thing you want to do is create an
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Keep Work and Job Search Separate
Like the tip above, don’t use your work email account (duh) or list your work telephone number on emails, resumes, or any other
Use Confidential Resumes
A confidential resume is generally used for a
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Know Who is Getting Your Resume
Somewhat related to the topic above, you need to control who gets
Control How You Market Your Search
Don’t advertise your job on LinkedIn. You can still use LinkedIn, keep your profile up to date, and be all set. Don’t respond to any “blind” ads where you don’t know the company’s name (you may be sending a resume to your own company). Also, don’t flood the Internet with
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Don’t Tell Anyone
Office politics is a brutal game, but there are people you can trust, or so you think. The truth is that word gets around even if your trusted confidant doesn’t mean to let slip. Some people are snakes in the grass who look to use any information to further their careers. The best option is to keep silent and not tell anyone until a concrete offer is on the table. At that point, you will have to reveal the truth anyway, so the bombshell isn’t as big. Be sure to have the first word, or it will leave a bad taste in the mouth.
Be Social Media Savvy
The chances are high that your colleagues and bosses follow you on social media. This is a tricky balancing act because you must spruce up your profiles without alerting them to your motives. For example, adding new connections on LinkedIn is a no-no as it’s a sure-fire sign you are expanding your base. However, updating your information to complete your profile is pretty benign. Don’t be fooled because it makes a massive difference to potential employers. After all, how can you be the whole package when your LinkedIn page is incomplete?
Don’t Be Dismissive
Employers can react differently, and some will resort to childish games. There is a temptation to lower yourself to their level and throw dirt, but it’s a bad move. To begin with, exacerbating the situation will only make them more likely to slander your name. Secondly, you never know when your contacts at the previous office may come in handy. Thirdly, it gives them an excuse to be petty. For example, don’t miss work if they refuse to pay your vacation money. If you do, they will have legitimate grounds should the case go to court.
It feels sneaky, yet it’s the only way to get your career back on track.
Next Steps
- Upgrade Your Skills: Enroll in online courses and expand your qualifications by exploring online learning platforms that offer industry-specific training and certifications to boost your
career change prospects. - Set Up a Dedicated
Email : Follow a comprehensiveemail setup guide to create ajob search -specificemail account and keep your professional communications separate and secure. - Separate Work from Search: Establish clear boundaries by managing your job hunt during personal time and reviewing
job search boundaries to avoid conflicts at your current workplace. - Build a Confidential Resume: Develop a resume that protects your current job details by leveraging expert advice, ensuring your information remains discreet.
- Control Resume Distribution: Share
your resume only with trusted recruiters and platforms using trusted resume services that maintain your privacy during yourjob search . - Refine Your
Job Search Marketing: Manage how and where you promote yourjob search by applying practical advice from job search strategies that minimize exposure at work. - Enhance Your Social Media Profile: Cautiously update your professional online presence and explore a proven social media strategy to optimize your profile without alerting your employer.
Final Words
Searching for a new job while currently employed requires strategy, discretion, and careful planning. By upgrading your skills, keeping your
Don't waste days, weeks and months following the job search "rules." Learn how to take charge and get offers for the work you love at the price you're worth.
