Prepare and be Discreet
WHILE it is normal to keep your options open and an eye on the job market, searching and interviewing for a job when you are already in employment can be difficult.
Whatever the motivation: career progression, circumstances or discontent, you shouldn’t let your employer know you are considering quitting.
It is therefore important to be careful as to how you go about your job search and how you take time off for interviews, so your employer doesn’t discover that you are job searching until are ready for them to know.
BE PREPARED: Take the time to plan your job search. Have everything you need lined up before you start — CV, cover letter outline you can customise for each job you apply for, and professional references.
Don’t Job Search on Work Computers: Don’t use your work computer for writing your CV, applying for jobs, or communicating with future employers.
Do not use your work email address for job hunting: Set up a personal account. Likewise, do not give out your office number.
Be discreet: Don’t broadcast the fact that you are job hunting, be wary of what you post on social media sites and choose your confidants carefully.
If you are successful in your job hunt it is important to know when to hand your notice in and how to quit.
Don’t give notice until you have a firm job offer and you have accepted it. Wait until your references have been checked and you have a start date scheduled.
Regardless of the circumstances giving adequate notice and offering to show the ropes to your replacement should avoid any hard feelings.
However, in some situations your offer to work notice may be rejected and you may be put on garden leave (were you are asked to stay away from your place of work during your paid notice period).