How to Discreetly Look for a New Job

You’ve heard the adage: “The best time to find a job is while you have a job.”

It’s easy to say but much harder to do!

As an employed individual who’s looking for a better job, how can you pursue new opportunities without jeopardizing the good thing you have going with your current employer?

Here are a few tips for conducting a confidential job search:

• Never use company equipment. Period. Your activity on work copiers, scanners, computers and phones can all be monitored, so limit your job search activities to your personal devices and equipment.
• Use a personal email address and cell phone. Check your resume, online portfolio and social media accounts to be sure you’re directing potential employers to your personal account and phone line. Be sure to regularly monitor your email and voicemail, so you don’t miss an opportunity just because of a tight hiring deadline.
• Change your LinkedIn settings. If you’re searching for a professional role, LinkedIn has a useful feature to let recruiters know you’re open to learning about new opportunities. To activate this feature, navigate to your privacy settings (click the “Me” menu with your profile photo > Settings & Privacy). Scroll down to “Job seeking preferences” and click “Change” next to “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities.” NOTE: Although LinkedIn takes steps to not show your current employer that you’re looking, they can’t guarantee complete privacy.
• Protect your privacy when uploading your resume. Only post your resume where you can keep your employer and contact information confidential.
• Scrub company information from your resume. If confidentiality is essential, use a generic company name (instead of a specific one) for your current employer and leave off contact information and phone numbers.
• Apply directly through a company website. Instead of uploading your resume to a large job board (where it may get into the wrong hands), navigate to the employer’s site to apply.
• Don’t let your wardrobe give you away. Ideally, you should schedule interviews outside work hours. But if you have to interview during the workday, and you wear casual clothes or a uniform to work, avoid going to work in your interview attire. Plan an extra 15 minutes to stop somewhere along the way and change.
• Keep quiet about your search. While you may be tempted to share your intentions with coworkers, resist the urge – word will inevitably make its way back to your boss. Be sure, however, to let your family know about your activities (and that your search is confidential), so they can discreetly assist you in your efforts.
• Be clear with potential employers. If you’re contacted for an interview, clearly state that you’re conducting a confidential job search and specifically ask for the employer’s discretion.
• Establish a relationship with a professional recruiter. The right recruiter (like the professionals at PrideStaff) can help you identify ideal opportunities to make your job search more efficient, connect with unadvertised job opportunities, and preserve your anonymity until you decide you’d like to pursue an opportunity.

Best of all, PrideStaff’s services are free to job seekers. We provide a business-to-business service and are compensated by our clients.

Need to conduct a discreet job search?

Offering a wide range of administrative jobs, professional jobs, IT jobs and light industrial jobs across the nation, PrideStaff can help you find a great new job while you continue working with your current employer.

So, what are you waiting for? Contact your local PrideStaff recruiter today!