Believe it or not, there are still people who are eager to switch jobs in this bad economy. If you're one of them, there are things you should do to conceal your search from your current employer.
First off, be warned that according to the American Management Association and ePolicy Institute's "2005 Electronic Monitoring & Surveillance Survey" nearly 76 percent of employers monitor their workers' Web site connections.
To keep your job search from the eyes of your HR department or manager/supervisor, consider the following caveats:
Realize It's a Small World. People in most industries know each other or know of each other through social media, local watering holes, clubs and professional associations. Don't answer blind ads. Target your search to specific companies you know. And if you know people in those companies, use them discretely to find out if the company is looking for people like you. If you're working with a recruiter, provide them a list of employers to exclude from your search.
Don't Search on Company Premises. Don't use your employer's computers, Wi-Fi network, email accounts, fax lines or telephone systems for job searches or resume transfers. Most companies, especially larger, high-tech firms have all sorts of ways and means to tap into your communications.
Keep Your Resume Confidential. If you use a job search website, remove identifying information before uploading it. Replace your name with "Confidential Candidate." List your current employer generically. Don't use keywords that might reveal your identity.
Explain in Your Cover Letter. Let your potential employer know that your job search is highly confidential.
For an additional perspective, check out Molly Wendell's paperback, "The New Job Search: Break All The Rules."
For more information on administrative jobs, check out:
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.
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