How Do I Look for a New Job While I Am Still Employed?

To look for a new job while you are still employed, keep your search private and separate from your current work. Use your own phone, email, and time, tell only people you trust, and do your job well until you leave. Many people search this way, and with a simple plan you can do it without hurting your current position.

Keep your job search private

Your employer may be able to see what you do on work devices and accounts. So keep the two worlds fully apart.

• Use your personal devices. Do not search, write applications, or join interviews on a work laptop or work phone.
• Use your personal email and number. Never put your work email or desk phone on your resume.
• Do not use work time. Apply before work, after work, on breaks, or on weekends.
• Be careful who you tell. Even a trusted coworker can share news by accident. The safest number of people to tell at work is usually zero.

Be careful on LinkedIn and job sites

Your online activity can give you away, so check your settings before you start.

• Turn off activity updates. LinkedIn lets you control whether your network is told about profile changes. Turn this off before you update your profile.
• Use recruiter-only signals. LinkedIn's "Open to Work" feature has an option to show your status only to recruiters. This reduces the risk but does not remove it.
• Do not use the public "Open to Work" photo frame. Everyone can see it, including your manager.

Manage interviews without lying

Interviews are often the hardest part, because they usually happen during work hours.

Ask for flexible times

Ask for an early morning, lunchtime, or late afternoon slot. Most recruiters understand. You can say:

"I am currently employed, so I would prefer to meet before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. If that is difficult, I can take a few hours off on Thursday."

Take time off the honest way

Use your paid or personal leave. You do not need to give a reason in most workplaces. Say "I have an appointment" or "I need to take a personal day." Avoid inventing a story, such as a sick relative. Lies are hard to remember, and they can damage your reputation if discovered.

Group your interviews

If you can, ask for several interviews on one day. Taking one day off is less noticeable than leaving early four times.

Protect your references and your current role

New employers often ask for references, but your current manager should not be one of them yet.

• Tell the recruiter early. Say, "Please do not contact my current employer." Add this to your application if there is a field for it.
• Use other references. Former managers, former coworkers who have left, clients, or teachers are all good choices.
• Offer your manager later. Some employers want to speak to your current manager after they make an offer. If so, make sure the offer is clearly conditional on that check, and agree on the timing first.

Keep doing good work while you search. Your search may take longer than you hope, and today's manager may be a useful reference later.

Do not resign too early

Do not tell your employer you are leaving until you have a written offer and you have accepted it. A verbal promise is not enough. If the offer depends on a background check, a reference check, or a visa, it is safest to wait until those steps are finished.

Before you resign, read your employment contract. Check your notice period, any bonus repayment rules, and any non-compete or confidentiality terms. These rules vary by country and employer. If something is unclear, ask a local employment adviser.

If you are on a work visa, take extra care. Your right to stay in the country may be tied to your job, so check the rules that apply to you before you change employers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get fired for looking for a new job?

It depends on your country, your contract, and local law. In some places, employers can end a job for almost any legal reason, while other places give workers more protection. This is why privacy matters. Keep your search away from work devices and work hours.

Should I tell my boss I am looking for a new job?

Usually, no. Most people should wait until they have accepted a written offer. If you tell your boss early, you may be left out of projects or seen as a person who is leaving. There are exceptions, such as when you have a strong relationship with your boss and your exit is already expected.

What do I say when an interviewer asks why I am leaving?

Stay positive and focus on what you want next. For example: "I have learned a lot in my current role, and now I want to take on bigger projects." Do not criticize your employer. Interviewers may worry that you will speak about them the same way one day.

Make every application count

When you are employed, your search time is limited, so quality matters more than volume. Apply to fewer jobs, and shape your resume to each one. theJoblio.com rewrites your resume to match a specific job description and shows your match score, so you can send strong applications in your free time.