Most Professionals Would Job Hunt While Employed

Posted by Terri Eyden on Sep 9 2013
By Jason Bramwell

According to a recent survey from Accountemps, a specialized staffing firm for temporary accounting, finance, and bookkeeping professionals, nearly three-quarters (73%) of workers polled indicated they would have no problem looking for new employment before leaving their current firm.

Of the 427 employees surveyed who work in an office environment, 46% said they would be "very comfortable" looking for a new job while employed, followed by 27% who would be "somewhat comfortable." 15% reported they would be "somewhat uncomfortable," and 11% said they would be "very uncomfortable."

Some employees may go as far as searching for a new gig while at the office. Almost half (48%) of survey respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 said they would be likely to conduct job-search activities at work. This compares to 26% of professionals between the ages of 35 and 44, and 21% between the ages of 45 and 54 who expressed a similar willingness.

"The grass is not always greener on the other side, so professionals should first consider how they might improve their current situation before looking for a new job," Accountemps Chairman Max Messmer, who also authored Human Resources Kit for Dummies, 3rd Edition, said in a written statement. "When it is time to move on, conducting the job hunt using company resources is not only unethical, it places the employee at a high risk of being caught in the act."

Six Tips on Conducting a Job Search While Employed
Accountemps offers the following six tips to help professionals search for a new job while still employed.

(1) Looking at internal openings first. If you have outgrown your current role but are happy with your work environment, see if there are relevant openings within your company before looking elsewhere. When it comes to filling vacancies, many employees prefer internal candidates.

(2) Keep it to yourself. If you want to keep your job search a secret, do not mention it to anyone at work. Even the most trustworthy coworker could inadvertently spill the beans. It is best to stay mum until you announce your resignation.

(3) Play it safe when going online. Be careful when visiting job boards or using social media to conduct your search. A single status update could be enough to alert your employer. You can further minimize the risk of being caught by ensuring your privacy settings tight and using services that mask your identity when posting your resume online.

(4) Be up front with potential employers. Most hiring managers understand that you will need to make arrangements to communicate or meet outside of office hours. Schedule interviews before or after work or during your lunch break.

(5) Focus on details. If you work in a casual environment where jeans and sneakers are the norm, showing up in a suit following a job interview could reveal your intentions. Bring a change of clothes so nothing seems amiss.

(6) Partner with a recruiter. A professional recruitment agency is often your best bet when it comes to conducting a discreet job search. A recruiter can confidentially distribute your resume and identify relevant employment opportunities on your behalf.

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Another tip regarding tips no (5) that should bear in mind, when they said focus on details, I think not only regarding the clothes, but also the timing when you submit your resume online. When you submit your resume during your working hours, you might indirectly reveal you are misusing company resources where this will makes negative impression on you.