Should You Look for a New Job at Work?

Looking for a new job can be a time-consuming process. If you work long hours, you may not have enough time to look for jobs and send out resumes when you get home in the evening. You might be tempted to search for work while you're on the clock, but this can damage your career. Fortunately, you can do some things from your desk without putting your job at risk. Follow these tips if you're looking for work while you're still employed.

Never use your employer's resources to search and apply for other jobs. Doing so could put your job in jeopardy and hurt your professional reputation. Instead of using your office phone, use your personal cell phone to call recruiters. Don't use your employer's copier or fax machine to apply for jobs or make copies of your resume. If you plan to mail resumes from your office, bring your own supply of envelopes and stamps. You should never ignore your work to search for a job. Only do these things if you have some down time and your employer is okay with you using your cell phone or tablet when there isn't a lot of work to do.

If you have a smartphone, install job search apps so that you can look for work when you have down time. Apps are available for the iPhone as well as Android devices. Make sure you're using your own data connection rather than company's Wi-Fi, as many companies keep a log of sites visited through their Wi-Fi connections. Take notes—using your own paper—about each opportunity so that you can follow up when you get home from work. Write down the job title, the minimum requirements, the name of the company, and the name of the contact person. This will save you time when you're ready to send out resumes or fill out online job applications.

You shouldn't fill out online applications at your desk, but that doesn't mean you can't prepare yourself to look for work while you're on the clock. Take some time to organize past projects so that they are fresh in your mind when you look for jobs. If you make it to the interview stage of the hiring process, it will be easier to give specific examples of your professional achievements. Ask your boss to give you additional responsibilities. Completing extra projects will give you the skills you need to apply for higher-level jobs.

Looking for work while on the clock is a tricky prospect. If your employer doesn't know you're looking for a job, you must be discreet. Never use your employer's resources to print resumes, communicate with recruiters, or fill out applications for other companies. If you're losing your job due to a planned layoff, your boss might be willing to let you search for work during your last few weeks on the job. Although you will have a little more leeway, you should still use your own resources and keep up with your regular duties.

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