Protecting Yourself While Job Hunting

By Deborah O’Connor

Some people are stuck in dead-end, stagnant jobs and some simply want to better their current position. How do you go about getting a new job while still maintaining your old one? Take a look at this letter received by Successful Image this week.

Dear Deborah:

I have a good job, but there is a much better job available in my industry. I would like to apply for it without letting my current office know because I feel I may jeopardize my position. Is there any good way to do this without ending up unemployed? 

Colleen

Dear Colleen:

There are three ways to handle this situation. First, you can handle it yourself. You would have to be discreet and secretive, and it may cause a great deal of consternation. If you contact the “new offer” you have to rely on their promise of anonymity. You would do well not to mention it to anyone for fear of word getting out and the very great possibility of you losing your job. It can be done, it has been done, but there is a certain amount of risk to the whole affair.

The second way to proceed is to use a competent third party. This could be a close friend or someone you know at the other company.  Be sure they have your best interests at heart and that you can rely on them to represent you favorably. They could recommend you and be your go-between, thereby preventing anything getting back to your boss.

The third and most successful way is to use a professional third party. This is someone you would hire and compensate for their services. In higher level positions such as CEO’s and the sports world, this is a very common practice.  They would represent you properly and you can be assured of complete anonymity. There would be a contract and  proceedings would be professional and competent. All negotiations are completed before the interview process even begins. If you can afford to go this route, it would be the best way to assure that your process remains anonymous.

Please feel free to send questions to Deborah at: www.successfulimage.biz.

She will answer them in her weekly column.

Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at:  [email protected]        www.successfulimage.biz