Applicant Tree

Confused? Don’t be.

Here’s the scenario—you’re currently employed but looking for a different opportunity; how can you find a different position without compromising your present paycheck or your business integrity? Here is a list we’ve compiled that can help you align your work ethics with job-seeking etiquette.

Don’t search for a job while you’re at your present job. You’ll feel better at the end of the day if you’ve made your job search without compromising the quality of your work by using your work resources to conduct your job-finding campaign. Likely, such activity would be grounds for immediate dismissal from your position. Don’t do it on your boss’ dime; it’s not how you’d want things done if the roles were reversed.

Never, ever-ever badmouth your current employer. Boy-oh-boy—running your mouth about your current employer tells your interviewer far more about you than it does about your employer. Slandering your current boss to anyone, particularly when looking for a job, is the poorest possible decision. Prospective employers will assume that in time, you’ll be running off at the mouth about your new company. When asked why you wish to leave your present position, a good rule of thumb is to stay positive, citing only the need for better utilizing your skills and so forth, and avoid saying anything derogatory about your present employer even if he or she is a total ogre and the company is on the verge of collapse. Prospective employers want to know you can display solidarity and be highly confidential.
Never share information about your job-seeking mission with colleagues. You just never know who is going to say what to whom, or who is whose nephew or goddaughter. Zip the lip in the workplace.

Don’t take calls or receive emails at your current workplace from prospective employers. It’s tacky and it can get you fired. Also, arrange interviews to take place during lunchtime, after work, during personal time or even on weekends. You’re not putting off prospective employers by making such requests; you’re showing him/her that you respect your employer and they will expect that you will, in turn, be responsible and respectful of them as well should they choose to hire you.

Watch your references. Unless you’re on very good and friendly terms with your employer and he or she realizes that you are looking for another job, resist checking the box that says you give permission for the interviewer to contact your present employee. Can you imagine the tension that will cause in the workplace? Especially if you don’t get the job you were interviewing for?

Don’t steal clients. If you’re employed with ad advertising or brokerage firm, you’re probably familiar with such stories about representatives or agents leaving and taking their closest clients with them. Bad idea. By soliciting your current clientele for your new client base, you’re saying more about yourself than you probably realize—predominantly that you’re not trustworthy. It makes people uncomfortable. If, however, you have a particularly good relationship with a client, it is not unreasonable to inform them of your departure and offer to assist in their transition to working with a new representative or agent. Never lobby for their continued loyalty; however, they may ask you for a personal card, in which case the ball is in their court and you may provide one to them. Do continue on your mission to satisfy them at your present job until your very last day. This will make a tremendous impression on both your client roster and your employer.

Keep on keepin’ on. Make sure that you don’t slack off at your present position, even if you think you’re about to leave. Remember that those work references are priceless. Even if you don’t have the best relationship with your current employer, you can be assured that they will appreciate your attention to detail right up to the last minute and that they will be far less likely to dish any off the record dirt with a new or prospective employer.