Career coach and LinkedIn expert (Linked Into Jobs); author and founder of The Job Search School. Learn how to find your dream job.
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There are many reasons people decide to look for a new job while employed—some positive, some negative. Regardless of the reason behind your search, if you currently have a job and are on the hunt for a new one, you may be wondering how to handle an interview. Here are some helpful tips:
1. Do not allow your interview to interfere with your work schedule.
Even though it is exciting to land an interview, you haven’t been offered that new job just yet! As such, you need to remain committed to your present role by interviewing when it doesn’t interfere with your daily responsibilities. Consider scheduling your interview before or after standard work hours, changing your schedule for the day or taking some personal time to accommodate your appointment. This will not only help you continue to remain productive but also provide you with the ability to devote your full attention to your job and your interview, without overlap.
2. Speak highly of your current employer, no matter what.
It doesn’t matter if your boss is a tyrannical leader or if your company is a mismanaged pile of dung waiting to blow—if you speak poorly about your current employer or colleagues, your candidacy will likely be dead in the water. That said, while ideally you would only have positive things to say, sometimes egregious wrongs have in fact occurred, and you want to be sure you are not getting yourself into the same situation at a new place. I recommend continuing to speak positively while finding subtle ways to convey what is happening.
For example, Martha is at her wit's end. While she’s enjoyed working as a project manager at ABC Corp, there’s been a revolving door of executives this past year and never enough funds or support for her and her team. To top it off, several cuts have been made, making it seem as if the company is going downhill fast. Martha's present boss is so stressed about his own role, she has it on good authority he wants to make some cuts of his own to help show substantial savings within the department. Needless to say, she is frustrated.
Now, Martha cannot share any of this in an interview, but here’s what she can say:
“I have really enjoyed working at ABC Corp for the past seven years. I’ve built an extraordinary team of professionals, and we have worked diligently to meet each milestone on time and under budget through much change. There have recently been some cuts made, and while I know I am a valued employee, I thought it would be in my best interests to be proactive and begin searching for a new role.”
As you can see, this clearly communicates what is happening in a respectful and positive way. Any seasoned hiring manager would be able to read between the lines and understand what is happening through the use of these simple keywords: change and cuts.
3. Provide a list of references, but omit anyone you presently work with.
Unless your boss is encouraging you to find a new role (and/or is searching for a new one themselves), I strongly advise that you keep your job search confidential. Here's why:
You could jeopardize your current job.
This is especially true if you work in an unhealthy office environment. A toxic boss may decide to let you go, or you may have a target on your back from other employees who are vying for your current position.
You may decide to stay.
A promotion or change of heart may come your way, making you want to stay. Sharing about your search could place on hold potential opportunities that you are not privy to.
Your work may be passed over.
Once you share your search, your contributions may no longer be appreciated, making your current work environment unbearable.
Take three necessary steps to protect your information.
1. Only submit your résumé directly on job applications. Do not place your résumé on public job boards. This will help prevent anyone from your company from coming across your résumé online, drawing conclusions and making speculations.
2. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can list your profile as “open to opportunities.” While LinkedIn cannot guarantee that your company will not become aware of your search, they do take certain precautions within their algorithm. So, if you feel comfortable, you can select this option to let recruiters know you are interested in connecting.
3. A slip of the lip can sink the ship, so while you should continue to network with other professionals, refrain from sharing about your search with your team (for obvious reasons).
By remaining mindful of your responsibilities, speaking positively and networking effectively, you can conduct a successful job search and interview while employed. And while you move forward on this journey, remember the words of Pope John XXIII: “Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”
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