The best time to look for a job is when you already have one. The main reason for this is that you can take your time and find a position that is a great fit. But you obviously need to take some precautions during a job search when you are already employed. Below are 7 tips that will make the process more effective.
Internal options
Ask yourself if it’s the company you don’t like or is it your job? If you like your company but simply aren’t happy with your current position it may make sense to take a look at the internal postings and see if there is something that might be a better fit. Sometimes a lateral move is all you need to move into a job that you love.
Set up job alerts
Sites like Indeed.com and SimplyHired.som are search engines for jobs. They aggregate all of the job listings from across the Internet into one place making your job search simpler and easier. Besides search, both sites also offer a really useful feature that stores your search parameters and then emails the search results. This provides targeted, available jobs to your inbox each and every morning.
Send private messages through LinkedIn
Leverage your LinkedIn network (you have one, right?). You obviously don’t want to post publicly on your LinkedIn profile that you are looking for a new job. But do privately message the appropriate people in your network to let them know you are looking for a new opportunity.
Update your LinkedIn profile
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date. Your network can’t help you find a job if they don’t know the details of what you do.
Interview on your time
Most interviews take place during regular business hours. This can be a challenge if you are currently working. But as tempting as it might be, don’t sneak off or fake doctors appointments to go to interviews. Use your vacation time or work the interviews into your schedule. It’s not right to cheat your current employer.
Be careful when considering a counter offer
You found a great job, interviewed, and received an offer. Congratulations. But what do you do when your boss doesn’t accept your two week notice and offers you more money and responsibility? It might be tempting to accept, but be very careful. Was money the reason you wanted to leave in the first place? Do you want more responsibility in a job that’s not a fit for you? If the counteroffer doesn’t solve the issues that made you want to leave in the first place then don’t accept it. Even if it does solve some of the issues you should really think twice about staying with a company that knows you want to leave.
Leave on good terms
Walking out of a job that makes you unhappy may feel good initially but can cause long term issues to your career. Two weeks notice is the standard notification for quitting your job and it’s the right thing to do. Don’t burn any bridges by giving in to short term gratification over long term success. You never know when you will come in contact with someone that remembers you walking out.
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