I was recently asked this question on my blog and my answer is always NO!  Yes, I know it is difficult to stay focused on your current job when all you want to do is get out of there.  But spending your time at work perusing job search sites all day does not help anyone and could get you fired.  Here is my list of the top five things you should not do when searching for a new job while currently employed….

1. Do not job search on your company’s time.  It is not only unethical, you could be fired if caught.  Your employer is paying you to work for them so be honest and respectful by doing so.  You can use your own time such as breaks and your lunch hour but I recommend that you do as much job searching on line at home as you can.  Many companies ban personal use of company computers, even during your break time.
2. Do not discuss your job search plans with co-workers.   Sure, misery loves company so if you hate your job, chances are your colleagues are pretty unhappy too.  But you never know where the company grapevine will lead and someone may try to use this information against you.  I was recently working with a candidate who told me that out of the blue, his boss asked him if he had been talking to XYZ Company, a major competitor.  He had no idea how is boss found out since he had only mentioned the interview to one “trusted” friend.  Obviously, word spread so  always keep your job search intentions to yourself.
3. Do not use any work contact information, such as your email address or work phone number.  Only give out your personal cell phone number and personal email address on your resume.  You can check messages on your breaks to see if you have heard from recruiters and/ or hiring managers.   As mentioned above, this not only is a way to get caught job hunting, you might be let go for using company resources.
4. Do not interview on your boss’s dime.  Schedule interviews as breakfast or lunch meetings or even after work.  I have had to do this for numerous candidates and my clients never seem to mind making accommodations for this request.  And it shows that you are respectful of your current employer, something a hiring manager always likes to see.  Along the same lines, if you do have an interview at lunch, do not show up to work in a formal suit if that is not your normal attire – it could be a dead giveaway.  You can always do a quick change before the interview.
5. Do not slack off in your current job.  You always want to look at your current job as a way to build your resume.  Make sure you are still giving 100% and exceeding all job expectations.  All of this effort will look good on your resume and secure your current job if your dream job does not come around for a while.  You can draw unwanted attention to yourself from a lack of effort and could find yourself out of your current job sooner than you would like.

Yes, I know it can be more difficult to job search while currently employed but you just need to make it a priority outside of your normal work hours.  Make sure you keep your time very organized and focused.  You will need to cut out some other activities while on the job hunt and make your job search time very efficient.  And companies are much more likely to hire a candidate who is working than one who needs to explain why they are unemployed.  And despite how bad things may seem at your current job, make sure you never burn bridges with your employer.  It can be a small world out there and you never know when you may need them as a reference.  It is not impossible to land a great job while employed, it just takes some patience, caution, and planning. 

If you have a question for me, log onto to my new blog . You can send me a question or comment regarding any aspect of your job search and I will get you the information you need right away.  Also, be sure to visit PharmRepConnect to sign up for my free job search tips.  I am also going to start offering free teleseminars covering everything from resume writing to networking so get on my email list to get dates and times for the teleseminars.

Copyright - Nikki K. Kerzic, Find Your Dream Job Now, Inc.

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