🎧 Smarter Career And Business Moves Podcast

How to Keep Your Job Search a Secret (So You Don't Get Fired)

November 05, 2020 Annette Richmond, MA, Executive Resume Writer Season 1 Episode 21
🎧 Smarter Career And Business Moves Podcast
How to Keep Your Job Search a Secret (So You Don't Get Fired)
Show Notes Transcript

While being employed makes you more attractive to many employers, looking for a job while working full time can be challenging. While I don't agree that finding a job is a full-time job, conducting a successful job search does take time and effort. One of the biggest challenges is making sure your boss doesn’t find out. 

If your boss finds out, there may be consequences. One of the candidates I worked with as a recruiter was fired because his boss found out he was looking. Luckily, I was able to place him with one of our clients.

In this episode, I’ll share 3 techniques that will help you keep your job search confidential. 

#1 Dress A Little Better

If you’re in looking for a job while employed you’re likely to be sneaking to interviews during your lunch hour or scheduling them for right after work. Whether you’re working from home or on site in a casual office changing from “work” clothes to a more formal “interview” outfit can be challenging. 

The easiest way to avoid red flags is to upgrade your wardrobe a month before starting your job search. 

Substitute slacks or casual skirts for jeans a couple of times a week. Wear a jacket now and then, keep one over the back of your chair.  Choose casual shoes instead of sneakers occasionally too. 

#2 Don’t Attract Attention On LinkedIn

Besides coming to the office in “interview” attire, a sure signal that you’re looking for a new job is a flurry of activity on your previously dormant LinkedIn profile. 

Now that you’re looking you need to add those missing job descriptions and add achievements. While you’re at it write a compelling About section too. 

Just make sure you keep this activity under the radar. Before you do anything, go to your “Privacy & Settings” page and “Turn off your activity broadcasts” under “Privacy Controls.”

Listen to episode #3 Five Ways to Make Your LinkedIn Profile More Effective to learn how to develop a compelling LinkedIn profile. 

#3 Keep Your Job Search Quiet

First, NEVER use your company computer during your job search. Today, most employers monitor their employee’s activities, including reviewing their email accounts and checking their computers. 

Second, don’t share your plans. If you ask a friend to keep your secret, you’re asking them to bear a burden, maybe lie for you. They may let it slip. Or they may share it in confidence with someone else, who shares it with someone else, etc. Before you know it everyone knows you’re looking for a new job.

Think carefully about what you post on social media. You never know who will see those posts complaining about your boss or your job or excitedly sharing news about your great job interview. 

 Make sure your boss is the first one you tell when you do find a new job. Don’t let them overhear others talking about it. Give notice and, if you can, help smooth the way for your replacement. 

 And try not to be too excited about leaving. Bragging about your new job to your colleagues can stir resentment. Careers are long, many people change jobs every few years, make sure you don’t burn bridges when you leave. You m

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Annette (00:07):

Hi, welcome to the smarter career moves podcast. I'm Annette Richmond executive resume writer in principle of career intelligence, resume writing and career services. [inaudible]

Annette (00:31):

Hi, thanks for joining me today. I want to share some ways to keep your job search a secret so you don't get fired. The good thing is that being employed makes you more attractive to many employers but looking for a job while working full time can be challenging. While I don't agree that finding a job is a full-time job, conducting a successful job search does take time and effort. One of the biggest challenges is making sure your boss doesn't find out. When I was recruiting, I worked with a candidate who was fired because his boss found out he was looking. Luckily I was able to place him with one of our clients. There are ways to keep your job search a secret. It just takes a little planning. Number one, dress a little bit better. If you're looking for a new opportunity while gainfully employed, you're probably going to be sneaking to interviews during your lunch hour or scheduling them for right after work.

Annette (01:32):

even if you're working from home. If you're working on site at a super casual office wearing you're going to an interview outfit is sure to raise some red flags. Changing from work clothes to interview outfits can be even more challenging if you're working from home in your pajamas, the easiest way to avoid these potential problems is to upgrade your wardrobe at least a month before starting your job search. Here are a few ways to do that. Number one, substitute a pair of slacks for jeans one or two days a week. Number two start wearing a jacket now and then leave it over the back of your chair. Number three insert a few collared shirts or blouses into your weekly rotation. Number four, try wearing a casual skirt instead of jeans, a few times a month. Number five forego your favorite sneakers or walking shoes for something more substantial.

Annette (02:31):

If you're working remotely and interviewing via video wearing sneakers probably won't matter. But if you have to stand up and get something during your interview wearing a pair of sweatpants, isn't going to move your candidacy forward. Number two don't attract attention on LinkedIn. Besides coming into the office in a job interview outfit, a sure sign that you're looking for a new job is a flurry of activity on your LinkedIn profile. If you're like most people, your LinkedIn profile has been dormant for months, maybe even years. Now that you're looking, you need to add those missing job descriptions and includes some contributions, you know, your achievements. You'll also need a compelling About section. Make sure you include your email address to make it easy for recruiters to contact you. Add a phrase like always happy to connect with colleagues to avoid screaming I'm looking for a job.

Annette (03:30):

Make sure you keep this activity under the radar. Before you add any content, go to your privacy settings page and turn off your activity broadcasts under privacy controls. To learn how to create a more compelling LinkedIn profile listen to episode number three, five ways to make your LinkedIn profile more effective. Number three, keep your job search quiet, never use your company computer during your job search. Today, most employers monitor their employee’s activities, including reviewing their email and monitoring their online searches. You don't want your boss to discover you've been emailing recruiters and researching resume writers while she's reading through your emails or looking at your search history. It’s also critical not to share your plans. If you ask a friend to keep your secret, you're asking them to bear burden, maybe even lie for you. Even if they're okay with that, they may mistakenly let it slip. Or they may share it in confidence with someone else who shares it with someone else.

Annette (04:41):

And before you know it, everyone knows you're looking for a job. Think carefully about what you post on social media. You never know who will see those posts complaining about your job or complaining about your boss. Or who will read about your great job interview. If you're employed, be grateful. Not only do you have a job, but you're more attractive to many potential employers. When you do get a new position, make sure you tell your boss first. Don't let him or her overhear your colleagues talking about your new job. Make sure you give proper notice, that’s generally two weeks, and if you can offer to help smooth the way for your replacement. And try not to be too excited about leaving. Bragging about your new job to your colleagues can stir resentment. Careers are long and many people change jobs every few years. Make sure you don't burn bridges. When you leave, you may need one or more of those people you’re leaving behind for a reference. Thanks again for joining me today. Good luck with your job search.

Annette (05:57):

[inaudible] thanks again for joining us for this episode of the smarter career moves podcast. If you enjoyed it, please subscribe. Thank you. [inaudible].