Five Problems to Avoid in a Confidential Job Search
by Georgia Adamson Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Since 1991, Georgia Adamson has partnered with clients both locally and worldwide to present their qualifications compellingly to employers. As a career industry professional, she holds several certifications, including Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Certified Career Management Coach (CCMC), Credentialed Career Master (CCM), and Job & Career Transition Coach (JTCT). She has also created and conducted workshops on resume writing and job interview tips for diverse audiences. Currently Georgia serves as a U.S. career advisor for the Going Global web site and writes articles for them on the theme of “U.S. Employment Exploration.” She is also listed as a career coach on the Quintessential Careers web site. In addition, she writes a weekly column, “Career Smarts,” for a local community newspaper.
Full Bio
By definition, conducting a confidential job search means doing it without letting your current employer know. In other words, you need to protect the confidentiality of your search until you have accepted a formal offer from a prospective employer and are ready to give notice at your present company.
However, numerous mistakes can trip up an incautious job seeker. Pitfalls you might encounter certainly include some that you can’t control, but you will greatly improve your chances of avoiding disaster by paying close attention to the ones you can.
Here are five of the problems you need to avoid when you pursue a confidential job search:
However, numerous mistakes can trip up an incautious job seeker. Pitfalls you might encounter certainly include some that you can’t control, but you will greatly improve your chances of avoiding disaster by paying close attention to the ones you can.
Here are five of the problems you need to avoid when you pursue a confidential job search:
- “Walls have ears!” Sound carries in open cubicle arrangements, so you can’t assume it’s safe to talk normally, even if no one is actually in the cubicles closest to you. Even a private office isn’t the complete answer, because closing your door without a reason that people will consider normal can raise a red flag in their minds.
- Posting your resume online or distributing it through an outside service can be problematic. Some job boards will allow you to remove or replace your personal information, and if you’re using a distribution service, you may be able to indicate that your current employer is not to receive the resume. However, most online boards and other services will not guarantee confidentiality, so you need to use them with caution.
- Discussion of your plans with co-workers, even if they’re also looking, carries a big risk. They might get upset with you over something and let your boss know what you’re up to or they might just be unable to maintain a discreet silence about your confidential activity, no matter how much you trust them. One incautious remark might be all it takes.
- Sending or receiving messages related to your job search while at work should be avoided if at all possible. Your voice mail and email are accessible to your employer, and they don’t have to ask your permission. Also, even if, for example, you erase your email messages as soon as you read them, technical support people can retrieve them. People can be—and have been—fired for this type of activity. It’s more than simply a question of being caught, of course. Ethical issues arise in connection with it.
- Ethical considerations also come up if you’re using company resources of any kind to help find your next job—even if you confine your activity to breaks and lunch. Not only can your current employer penalize you if they find out, but also prospective employers may wonder about your ethics if you’re conducting your search using current employer resources. One valid exception is when your employer knows you’re looking and has authorized the use, such as when a layoff has been announced.