Job search do's and don’ts without jeopardizing your employment

Written by: Tatiyana Cure, Executive Recruiter, CFS New York

You don’t want to jeopardize your job security with your current situation while looking for a potentially stronger opportunity. So, first thing first, don’t ever use your company computer or laptop throughout your search. Based on findings from the American Management Association, computer monitoring may take the form of employers tracking content, keystrokes, and time spent at the keyboard; storing and reviewing computer files; monitoring the blogosphere to see what is being written about the company; and monitoring social network sites. So if you’re updating your resume, replying to recruiters, answering ads, or networking, you need to do it from your personal computer. Most importantly, don’t quit your current job until you have secured a new one!

 “Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones.”

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

1. Job board etiquette:

Don’t post your resume to be viewed on any job boards. This may seem like a good idea for your future potential employer to view your background and contact info, but this means your current employer and boss can do the same.

Do answer any ads as long as they are not marked “confidential” or a subsidiary of your current employer.

Don’t limit your search to only the “perfect” criteria. Be open-minded to the company, not just the role.

Do set alerts on the search engine notifying you with any newly posted, relevant roles to be emailed to you daily.

2. How to conduct yourself in a networking event:

Don’t hand out your resume with your business card or imply that you are looking to leave your current role.

Do discuss how your new contact can benefit from knowing you and build a connection. Remember, the typical mentality of every connection is “What’s in it for me?”

Do follow up with new connections you received business cards from and don’t let them collect dust while sitting on your desk.

3. How to extend your search to LinkedIn:

Don’t post your resume on your profile or let your network know that you are on the job hunt.

Do select “NO” in the “notify your network?” section so that every time you make any changes to your profile it remains private.

Do use as much industry jargon throughout your profile as possible. Recruiters and HR conduct searches on LinkedIn. The more you use the keywords that they search for, the higher you will end up on their search results.

4. Social Networking:

Don’t assume that your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and any other social networking site are safe from your current or future employer.

Do ensure consistency throughout all networking sites and not just hide content.  

Do establish professional branding.

5. Partnering with a recruiter:

Don’t make your resume accessible throughout unnecessary recruiters and industries.

Do partner with recruiters specializing in your industry to gain knowledge of the market and get notifications of roles that are most relevant to you without exerting additional energy.

6. Handling your current employer:

Don’t tell anyone at your current job that you are on the market.

Don’t badmouth your current employer your boss.

Do meet and exceed expectations of your current role. Your future employers may conduct a background check including references from your current employer.

Don’t ever completely stop looking for opportunities that are potentially stronger than your current situation. At some point in your search, you may realize the grass is not always greener on the other side. You may want to slow down, which is completely okay. The dos and don’ts will continue to apply even as you slow your search.

Don’t set standards too high for a potential role or offer. Consider potential career and personal growth of all opportunities.

Do thank everyone who has assisted you in your search and offer assistance to those in similar situation!