Most tips on how to look for a new job are intended for people who are currently unemployed. However, there are many situations where you may be applying for a new job while still employed. For example, if you are no longer satisfied with pay or work conditions, you are probably thinking about switching jobs. Here is how to look for a job while working full time.
Browse thousands of jobs in Nigeria on Jiji
1. Be smart about social media
Much of the job search process today takes place in the online realm, which is why it’s absolutely essential to advertise yourself using your social media profiles. However, it’s important to prevent your social media from telling everyone that you want to change your job.
The most important thing to do is to update your LinkedIn profile since it’s the first place potential employers check. But you shouldn’t write you are looking for a new job on LinkedIn – if a potential employer is interested, they will contact you anyway. And don’t talk about your job aspirations on Facebook or Twitter where your current employer can easily see that.
2. Don’t make it obvious
Can you get fired for applying for another job? Not necessarily, but the relationship between you and your employer will definitely become strained. Even when you think you are being super careful, there are still some ways the employer and your co-workers can find out you are looking for a job.
One of the most telling signs that an employee is thinking of switching jobs is when they spend a lot of time answering calls on their personal phone. If you usually wear jeans and t-shirts and start coming to work in business attire, people might also suspect something.
Plus, if you are using your work time to browse job sites and apply to new openings, remember that many employers actually track the online activity of their employees. The best way to avoid everyone finding out about your plans is to only do your search in your free time. If you absolutely can’t wait, at least use your personal phone for browsing vacancies.
3. Put in enough effort
If you’re wondering how to job search without employer knowing, the most important thing to do is to continue working like you have no intentions of leaving. Work all hours you are supposed to, do everything you are supposed to, don’t brush off the requests of your co-workers, and definitely don’t say “I don’t want to do it because I won’t be here soon anyway” if you don’t want everyone to know yet.
4. How to schedule interviews
Most job interviews take place during regular working hours, so you need to be extra inventive when trying to schedule an interview while working full-time. The most obvious option is to do it during your lunch break if you have one.
Another thing you can try is asking your employer if you can come in late one day and then stay longer to finish your work. If your employer doesn’t agree to your terms, you can ask for half of the day or a complete day off. However, this cannot happen too often, so the best idea here is to schedule multiple interviews for one day you take off from work.
5. Which references to include?
In most career fields, job applicants are required to provide references who can testify to their qualities as an employee. If most of your potential references are from your current workplace, make sure they are not too close to your employer and won’t casually tell everyone about your search.
The best way to avoid unnecessary talk around the office is by asking your references about whether a potential new employer can contact them. This will also give you an opportunity to briefly explain why you are planning to leave so that they are not caught by surprise.
6. Be nice to your current job
If you’re wondering how to job search when you’re employed and maintain a good relationship with everyone involved, the answer is simple: be nice. When you are still at the interview stage of the hiring process, make sure not to badmouth your current workplace or employer – for HR managers, it’s one of the red flags telling them not to hire people.
When you finally land the job and explain to your employer that you are leaving, it’s also important to stay nice and professional. You never know when your career paths will meet again. Plus, if you want to use your current workplace for references in the future, leaving on good terms with everyone is very important.
Search for jobs and apply from your phone using the Jiji app
