JobScribble

If you are employed but looking for a new job, do it on the down-low!  Do not even tell your closest friends at work.  Also, do not tell your friends outside the workplace  either because word can get around fast.  I know networking is important, but their is only six degrees of separation. Even telling family members is iffy.  Only tell those that have connections with others in your industry and can truly help you network.

Don't give out your work phone number to potential employers.  Most offices have caller ID now days and you don't want the receptionist to become suspicious about all the calls you are getting.   You  also don't want to receive a call at the office about going to a job interview when you boss is in your office.  Ask potential employers to call you at home or on your cell--mention this in a cover letter and indicate when the best time to reach you is.  If you take your cell to work, keep it off and make sure you don't take the call while you are working.  Wait until you can leave the office at lunch or wait until after work to return the call. 

Do no provide or use your  work e-mail.  Use your personal e-mail address and don't check your personal e-mails from work.    Do not check on-line job boards or read newspaper want ads while you are working either.  Watch yourself when making job search appointment notes or reminders on pieces of paper or calendars.  You may accidently leave them where someone can see them. 

If you need some time to job search while you are working, take some vacation time.  If you have a job interview, it is best not to call in sick to go to it.   Take a vacation day or personal day off.  You never know who may see you driving around so try and not make your interview appointment during the lunch hour or close to starting or closing time as your co-workers or boss may be driving to and from work.  Also, don't show up for work in your interview attire and then leave early for an interview.   You will raise all kinds of red flags if your not wearing your usual Polo and khakis to work!  They will wonder if you are going to a funeral or a job interview.  Even getting a new hair cut, getting your nails done, or shaving more often than usual, and buying new clothes and/or shoes, can make others suspicious especially if you have expressed dissatification at work.

One time my husband was told at a corporate meeting that  the salesforce was being replaced by an outsourced salesforce in 30 days.  My husband  started job searching and landed an interview out of state before the layoff.  While making a connecting flight at the Houston airport, he saw the division's Vice President.  He asked him what he was doing at the airport.  He said he took some time off to go for an interview,and that he had told his boss he had an interview.  The VP confirmed with the sales manager that he had indeed told him he had a job interview and had requested time off.    Now, I would not advise you to tell your boss that you have an interview unless it was under a similar situation.  If you take some personal time off, just let him or her know you have some personal matters to attend to.  Co-worker will also be curious about your abscence, but if they ask , let them know you are taking some vacation time or that you are have some personal stuff to take care of.

When you are job searching while working, simply state in your cover letter that you are enclosing a confidential resume.  If the employer your sending it to knows your boss or someone at the company or organization you work for, he or she should be ethical and not tell your current employer. 

If you are posting your resume on major job boards-watch out!  Your employer may be using them to scout for candidates for jobs, and you don't want them seei your resume in the database.  For your job board resume, you may want to use a first name only on your resume and a new generic email address (no last name) and no phone number.  When listing your employers,  you may want to include Top Fortune 100 company or other generic identifying information instead of the company name.  Better yet, check the job board daily and submit your resume directly to employers and don't post your resume or job boards.   Do you really want to risk your employer finding out that you are looking? 

Be careful on social networking websites or your blog.  It is ok to talk about your background and experience in your profile but don't mention that you are looking for work.   

If you are completing job applications, make sure you answer "NO" to the may we contact question.  Simply state "still working there".    Do not use your current boss or co-workers as references.

Job searching incognito is difficult but treat it as an undercover mission and be very discrete!