Four Things Not to Do if Employed and Still Job Searching

Employees commonly do personal tasks on company time. Whether you check last night's scores, update your Facebook status or sneak a call to your significant other, taking care of personal business on the boss's dime is an accepted practice in small doses. However, those performing a job search while on the clock should take care.

If your manager discovers you have been on a job search while on the clock, that serves as grounds for immediate dismissal. Gross misuse of company time is greatly frowned upon, especially when a potential rival is involved. Innocently calling your daughter's school to check on her grades is one thing, but spending hours trying to get another job is another matter. Avoid these four mistakes while looking for another job when you are currently employed.

1. Don't Use Company Time

There are 24 hours in a day, only eight of which are spent working at the office. Use your smartphone to apply for jobs on your lunch break. Find Internet access away from the office to perform more in-depth tasks, such as updating a cover letter and resume. Conduct phone interviews on your cellphone out of the office. Find an excuse to go on a 15-minute break, and leave the building before you call. Print out a resume and cover letter at a copy place for a few cents rather than risk someone else finding your printed material at the office.

Companies have the legal right to monitor Internet access from office computers because your firm pays for the service. Someone in the IT department may discover your job search prowess from your cubicle at any time. If your manager finds out what you did, you can kiss that favorable job reference goodbye and your high-quality work ethic may no longer matter. Avoid these pitfalls, and do not get fired, by keeping your actions away from company time and company equipment.

2. Don't Flaunt Social Media

Do not openly ask your social media connections if they have any leads. Private message people to determine if anyone has good job-search tips, tricks or connections. Do not count on your social-media privacy selections to prevent someone from seeing your posts.

3. Don't Let Your Current Work Suffer

Do not let your current job suffer, even when you don't feel motivated to do good work. Your job search should not consume your every moment so as to prevent you from having quality relationships with your coworkers and clients. Be professional in everything you do from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Don't Burn Bridges

Maintain a good standing with the company you leave behind. Your boss should understand that changing jobs is a normal thing. Give two weeks' notice, help your manager prepare for a successor, and do not say anything mouthy to your higher-ups. How you leave things with your old position is just as important as giving your all at the next firm.

Proactively searching for a new job while currently employed is a smart way to find a new career. However, limit your job search to your own time, and keep your career move on the down-low until you're ready to ask your boss for a referral. Discuss the matter with him privately and professionally to avoid as much upset as possible.

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