Hunting While Employed

It's easier to get a job if you already have a job. Strange but true. Employers feel more confident about selecting you because some other employer clearly thinks you're worth hiring. You feel less anxious during the search. Since you have an income, you have more bargaining power when it comes to negotiating the salary and benefits.

Still, job hunting while you're employed presents some challenges. You have less time to hunt. You must deal with the thorny issue of whether to tell your current employer and coworkers about your search. And, to top it off, you must make certain that changing jobs is really the best thing for you to do right now — a question unemployed people don't have to answer!

Should You Resign?

Before you begin searching for a new job, make sure that you'll really be better off leaving your present position.

• Honestly assess your situation. If you and your attitude are causing trouble, you'll find yourself with the same problem at your next job. The better solution is to work on improving your attitude. You can start by acting as if you love your current job. It may become true!
  
  
• Speak with your employer about the problems that make you want to resign. If you're a good worker, your employer may change the situation to suit your needs.
  
  
• Make sure your next job is better than your current one. Use the exercise on Offer Assessment to decide.

How to Handle the Hunt

If you decide the time is right to look for a new job, follow these suggestions.

• Schedule interviews during lunch hours or after work. Prospective employers will appreciate that you don't want to leave your current employer short-staffed.
  
  
• Don't use the company fax machine or letterhead EVER.
  
  
• Don't search the web for job and career information during work hours.
  
  
• Tell the truth if prospective employers ask if your current employer knows about the hunt.
  
  
• Ask prospective employers not to contact your current boss if he or she is unaware you're actively hunting.
  
  
• Don't quit without notice or during a busy season. You'll just make things miserable for your coworkers.
  
  
• Don't put down your current job or employer to your current coworkers; it's like criticizing their choice to stay.
  
  
• Make up time that you take off to pursue the hunt.
  
  
• Continue to perform your current job as well as you can.
  

When to Tell Your Supervisor

Until you're ready to resign, you probably should not tell your supervisor (or coworkers) that you're job hunting.

• It stops your job's forward momentum. If your employer had planned a promotion or training for you (which might make it worthwhile to stay), it will be put on hold or even canceled.
  
  
• It's a bad way to prod your supervisor to give you a raise. You might "win," but you may create ill will in the long run.

It can be a good idea to tell your supervisor, however, if:

• you have a very good relationship with each other;
  
  
• it's expected (e.g,. you're graduating or moving);
  
  
• you absolutely need his / her recommendation;
  
  
• you think he / she might help you find work.

What to Expect When You Resign

When you give your two weeks notice that you're resigning, prepare yourself for your boss' possible response:

• Anger at your "disloyalty" or the inconvenience involved
  
  
• Request for you to leave immediately (Do it!)
  
  
• Request for you to stay (Decline it!)
  
  
• Support in the form of assistance or encouragement
  
  
• Understanding

Most employers understand that you need to advance your career and they build the cost of turnover into their budgets.