Tactics to Win Your Next Job

In a tight labor market, employers have no trouble finding applicants for most positions, which means job hunting is a lot harder than it used to be. If you are currently employed, you also have to keep your job search under wraps, or you run the risk of being terminated for disloyalty to your company. Use these tactics to look for a new job without your employer finding out.

Before you start your job search, check your social media settings. If your Facebook page is open to the public, there's a chance people from your company will see posts related to your job search, even if they are not on your friends list. Make your profiles private so you can ask about opportunities without alerting colleagues and supervisors that you are job hunting. If you use LinkedIn, adjust your settings so no one can see when you make changes to your profile. If your profile has been the same for months, and then all of a sudden you start updating it and asking for endorsements, your employer is likely to figure out you are looking for a position elsewhere.

Avoid responding to advertisements that don't indicate which company is doing the hiring. You might send in a cover letter and resume only to find out you've applied for a position in your own company. If you want to keep your job search a secret, you should also avoid using your employer's resources to respond to advertisements, print resumes and follow up with hiring managers. If your company tracks computer usage, there's a good chance someone from human resources will find out you're looking for a job elsewhere. It's also unethical to use company resources for your own purposes.

Do not work on your job search while you are on the clock. This is a form of time theft, and it can get you in a lot of trouble with your current employer. If you need to mail a resume or respond to an advertisement, do it when you are on your lunch break. Make sure you use your own laptop or tablet so you don't violate any rules about using company property. Career coaches also suggest that you don't suddenly start dressing differently. If you usually wear khaki pants and a polo shirt, your colleagues will suspect you are searching for a new job if you suddenly start wearing three-piece suits and wingtips to work.

Looking for a job is always stressful, but it involves special challenges when you are already employed and don't want to risk losing your current job. Avoid applying for other jobs while you're at work and use your own resources to respond to ads. Using these tactics gives you the best chance of staying on good terms with your existing employer and being successful in your job search.

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