Ask the Coach #4 How do you do a confidential job search

Ask the Coach #4 How do you do a confidential job search This is the fourth question weve put in front of a bunch of job search coaches and resume writers to see the others in this series, click on any Ask The Coaches.  This question comes from someone confidential K asks: How do you keep your current employer from finding out about your current job search? Craig B Toedtman,  Job Search Consultant, Career Adviser, Coach, Executive Search Consultant Our typical client is seeking an opportunity on a confidential basis. It is our firm belief that while the initial process can be kept confidential, ultimately, you will have to assume that your employer could find out. There is major preparation that can be done prior to risking public exposure. At this point, you are ready to move forward by making direct contacts to individuals identified in your initial research. Posting your  résumé  and responding to posted opportunities can also commence. This is the time when another person is now aware that you are seeking an opportunity outside of your current employer. You can explain to contacts that you are conducting this on a confidential basis; however, there is now risk involved. You cannot assume total confidentiality once you have brought another person into the process. Utilizing outside professionals could extend the risk of public exposure; however, there are still no guarantees. Career Services Professional:  could be contracted to present initial information to potential opportunities by providing your background without your name and contact information. Once your name is revealed to the potential employer, confidentiality could be broken, and you should assume that your employer could find out. Recruiters:  many recruiters submit candidates without identifying the name or contact information. However, you can’t be totally positive, and your name could be floating in the job market without your being aware. There is risk that your confidential search has gone public. Ideally, if you have reached the point that confidentiality could be breached, depending upon your relationship with your superior, it might be wise to make her/him aware that you are in fact seeking new opportunities. There could be great concern when doing so; however, there are times when this is the best professional way to move your career forward. In some cases, the supervisor may even help with your search! Perry Newman,  Certified Social Media Strategist, Certified Personnel Consultant, Resume Writer, and LinkedIn Transformation Specialist How to keep your current employer from finding out about your current job search is a great question. There are several telltale signs, and some self-destructive actions, that hint at people undertaking a job search while still employed.   Here are my Top 10. Be positive on the job. Disgruntled and unmotivated employees are generally looked upon as ones who are, or should be, looking for a new position. Don’t share your job search with people while you are on the job, and not with people who you do not have a confidential relationship with.” Loose lips sink ships.” Avoid all job search activities at work i.e. making-receiving phone calls, doing computer job searches, sending-receiving emails, text messages and faxes on or from company equipment. Let recruiters know not to call you at work and especially not to leave a VM on your work phone.. Try to schedule interviews (or have them scheduled for you) in advance so, if needed, you can ask for time off in advance. Make people know your preference is to take interviews before or after hours. Try not to be bullied into taking sudden and /or excessive unexplained time off in the middle of the workday. If it means missing an interview this may be a better option. If you do need to take time off for an interview, do not make up a lie to cover yourself. Worst is a doctor’s appointment. If it is checkable, do not use it, you will be caught in a lie. Just say a personal situation came up that needs immediate attention and it is personal. Don’t keep you current resume on your office computer. If or when you update your LinkedIn profile turn off the active status and share changes. When in doubt use common sense   to make a decision and think like an employer and not an employee. Lorraine Rise,  Career Coach, Resume Writer and Columnist for Workforce50.com This is a very common question among job seekers. If you are using LinkedIn in your search (which I would highly recommend), you can privately signal to recruiters that you are open to new opportunities. You can do this by clicking on the  Jobs  tab on the top menu. Then, scroll halfway down the page and click on  Update Career Interests.  Fill out the brief list of questions and hit the “On” button. This will notify only those with a LinkedIn Recruiter account that you are open to new opportunities. Nothing is published on your public profile. As an added benefit, LinkedIn says that turning this feature on will increase your profile’s search rankings. One more tip is to go into your LinkedIn privacy settings and adjust them so that  only you  can see your list of connections. For example, if you and your boss are connected on LinkedIn, you may not want your boss to see that you have been connecting with recruiters or people who work at your company’s competitors. Good luck! Lucie Yeomans, 6X Certified Career Services Professional and Job Search Strategist There is no 100%, fool-proof way of keeping your employer from catching on that you are in a job search. However, there are 5 very important tips you need to follow to lessen the chances of your employer finding out. Do NOT post your resume on a public job board. Many HR departments and decision makers use these public job boards to find candidates to fill vacancies. Don’t be one of those job seekers who gets caught searching for a job this way. If you see a job you want to apply for, go directly to the company website instead. Do turn off your LinkedIn “Sharing profile edits” in your privacy settings. If you are updating your LinkedIn profile to appeal to recruiters, make sure you turn off this setting to avoid waving “I’m searching for a new job” flags in front of your employer. LinkedIn is an excellent tool to use when you are secretly job hunting, but you need to be cautious and strategic about how you use it. Use your own personal computer, phone, and time to search for a job. Some IT departments are watching what you do. Do NOT tell your colleagues, customers, vendors, etc. you are searching for a new job, unless they are someone you trust with your life. Face it, you are trusting them with your life with that information. Subtle, yet over-zealous ladder climbers have done far less to get ahead. If you do have an interview during regular business hours, do NOT come to work dressed differently than you typically do. Bring a change of clothes. Jeri Hird Dutcher,  Certified professional and international resume writer A confidential job search is difficult because of competing priorities: An effective job search depends on networking, and a confidential job search depends on secrecy. The most important strategy is to conduct a targeted job search that focuses on a small number of specific companies you have chosen because they are a good fit for you professionally, geographically, financially, and culturally. This immediately cuts the public exposure of your search. Further, here are some things you can do to protect the confidentiality of your search: Forget about posting your resume to job boards. That is the quickest way to tell the world of your search. Instead, choose carefully those you tell about your job search. If you must share this information, ask the person you tell to keep your search confidential. Make small, incremental changes to your LinkedIn profile in the months ahead of your search. Know whom youre networking with. Is the hiring manager at the company youre targeting best friends with your boss? Its possible. Use LinkedIn to find out. Create a confidential resume and confidential cover letter to protect your identity. Ask people you contact at your prospective new company, such as those with whom you interview, to honor your confidentiality. Do not use any company resources, including phones and computers, in your search. Conduct your search activities on personal time, even if it means taking a vacation day.  If this creates difficulties in scheduling interviews, assure your prospective employer that you respect your current employer and do not wish to have your job search infringe on work time and resources. This displays integrity and should be honored by any employer worth considering. Dr. Heather N. Maietta, Master Career Coach Because K is asking this question, Im assuming she wants to keep her search completely confidential from start to finish. Here are 10 points to consider: Be a model employee: The world is small. Same-industry job searches are even smaller. When the time comes to turn in your resignation, you want to leave your current employer with as much dignity and integrity as possible. And you never know when youll need to call on somebody for support or when youll run into someone at a networking event. Be mindful of who you tell youre on the market: You need to network its the pillar of any job search. Use your best judgement and air on the side of caution when you let your colleagues know youre searching. This also might require you to accept the fact that there will be certain people youre unable to reach out to for support because of their affiliation with your current company or simply because you cant trust them to keep your search confidential. Tell potential employers and recruiters you are conducting a confidential search: Most professionals will appreciate and honor your request. Dont job search at work: Everything thats done on your work computer is property of your employer, and likely accessible by your current employer. On the flipside, potential employers recognize when you were searching for a new job on company time. This is probably not the first impression you want to make. Avoid applying to blind positions or posting your resume on job boards: You run the risk of applying for a position within your own company if you actively apply to blind positing. Same goes for posting your resume on job boards. If youre resume is visible to all, it is visible to your current employer. Skip the job fairs: It may not be your direct supervisor, but there is a chance someone in your company is actively recruiting at the fair, especially if youre searching within current industry. Watch what you discuss on social media: This tip is pretty self-explanatory although needed to be included. Assume nothing you post on social media will stay private. If youre not an avid networker, increase outreach gradually: There is a chance signs of uncharacteristic activity will raise flags, drawing attention to your search. Make sure your family knows youre searching confidentially: I cant tell you how many times a family member has  accidentally divulged information Id rather have preferred to keep confidential. It is likely your family will be aiding your search, so be clear with them upfront that as theyre reaching out to their contacts on your behalf, theyre communicating your search is confidential. Put together a thoughtful reference page: if potential employer does call references, you will need these people to vouch for you at the same time being discreet when they find out youre in an active search. Moving up and out of a job is acceptable and more frequent than ever. At the end of the day, if youre thoughtful about how you execute your search, youll be more successful in moving from your current role to a new and hopefully more satisfying position! Ron Auerbach, Author of Think Like an Interviewer: Your Job Hunting Guide to Success A lot of people are fearful of their employers finding out about their job search. One major fear is that once an employer discovers youre looking to get out, theyll cut you loose ahead of time. Another fear is once your employer finds out youre looking for other employment, they may treat you worse. Something that could lead to your making errors on the job. And this will hurt your chances of a positive recommendation. So the fear among many job seekers like K is very real. What can you do to shade your job search from your employer? Here are some steps you can take. Do not discuss your looking to leave or seeking additional employment Keep everything to yourself to prevent the accidental or intentional leaking of your looking for work. Even if you have very close friends in the office who you know you can trust, the problem is they may be caught off-guard. Or be swamped or preoccupied with something else and let it slip. A risk you do not want to chance! So live by the adage,  Loose lips sink ships! Be very careful with postings on social media More and more employers are using social media to keep tabs on employees. So you want to make sure that anything youre posting or responding to on social media sites will not even remotely hint of your looking for work. Remember, even if you forgot and deleted the post(s), it still exists out there. And for all you know, it was already seen. So you must be extremely careful with your social media activities. This includes your online profile(s). You do not want your profile to show that youre looking for work. Remember, many will just look at your headline and make judgments and/or decisions based upon this. So make sure your headline does not say or even hint of your being involved in a job search. The same applies to the rest of your profile. You must be consistent here in hiding your seeking employment in both sections. Dont use work for your job search A big mistake is conducting your job search from your work phone, computer, and/or email. The last thing you want is any record of your seeking work elsewhere from within the company. So do all your job hunting from outside the company! This includes not using your companys Internet connection. So do not connect your personal smartphone, tablet, and/or laptop to your companys Internet or WiFi connection. Your goal is to avoid any records of your job search on the companys end. No interviews from the office You dont want anybody overhearing or walking in during a phone interview or inquiry. So this relates to what I had said above, hide your job hunting activities from prying eyes and ears! And do not give out your work phone or email to prospective employers and recruiters. They should only have your personal email address and phone number(s). Behave normally A big tip-off to somebodys looking for work is their being dressed out of the ordinary and/or behaving differently. So you want to make sure youre looking and acting the same as you normally would at work. This way, nobody will suspect anything is odd or strange. Also make sure youre not carrying or bringing anything that sticks out as out of the ordinary. You want to make sure youre behaving completely normal to avoid raising suspicions. Schedule interviews outside work hours Do your best to schedule any interviews outside your hours of work. So if you can do it when youre done, great! The same with having them before you need to arrive at your job or on your day(s) off. These will avoid your needing to take time off from work to meet with employers. And let you just continue on as though everything is perfectly normal. Ive done interviews during my lunch. So thats another possible time for you to schedule an interview without raising any eyebrows in the office.When youre looking for work, its also a good idea to save your personal days, sick days, and vacation time for interviews. So ahead of your need to look for work, begin saving up as many of these days as you can. This way, if youre not able to schedule interviews in your off-time, youll be able to use up these days for interviews during working hours. And do your best to have as many employer interviews during the day. This way, you may be able to minimize how much time off from work youll need. Dont update job search materials at work You do not want to be working on or updating your resume anyplace in the office. Or putting together job search materials that will be used during interviews. Just do all these things away from the office when nobody there will be able to notice. So dont use your personal office, if you have one. And not using the lunchroom, break room, or conference room. Your entire job search activities should be made from locations away from the company where nobody from there will catch you. Avoid using employees of the company as employment references You dont want to risk somebody at the office being contacted by a prospective employer or recruiter. And having somebody else possibly overhearing the conversation. You also want to prevent your reference(s) from accidentally letting it slip they did a reference check for you. What about using one or more former employee as references? Some job seekers will do this to prevent their employer from discovering their using current employees as references. But dont forget that even former employees can still be in contact with others in the company. So it is possible a former employee youre using as a reference let it slip to somebody currently working there. Now you just got caught looking for employment somewhere else! So my professional advice is not to use anybody with your current employer as a reference. This way, youre keeping everything under wraps. And prospective employers and recruiters will understand. Gavan Ambrosini, Executive Coach, Career Consultant Great question!   And one that has a lot of folks worried as they scan the horizon for new opportunities.   If you are searching on LinkedInthere is a way to let recruiters know you are looking but without alerting your employer. You can go to your settings and turn on a button just for recruiters to let them know you are open to new opportunities. Its hard to be an actor when you are looking elsewhere and try to keep your game face on at workbut in the end, you are probably doing your employer a favor by leaving.   Try not to call in sick to make an interviewbut do use your PTO to schedule needed appointments and if possible schedule them later in the afternoon or early morning so as to not disrupt your day at work. When you can, take the entire day off!   That way you can fully focus on the new opportunity and not have to worry about giving an Academy Award-winning performance when you go to work. One last thing, it is not always a bad thing if an employer finds out you are looking.   If they want to keep you, they may entice you to stay with a promotion, more pay or other goodies.   Everything becomes a negotiation if they happen to approach you with the news they know you are wanting to make a move.   If they dont outright ask you if you are looking, they might check in to see how things are going and to see if you need additional support in any way.   Thank them for asking that question, and then think long and hard of what it might take to keep you there. Then would be the time to ask for whatever you want to keep you there.   It might be nobut at least they will be clear of what is motivating you to leave.   If they let on they know you are looking but dont offer anything to keep you aroundtake it as a sign that it is time to go anyway.   Either way, maintain a positive attitude throughout your search, and always keep up your professionalism. You never know when you will cross paths again, and you always want to leave on a high note.   After allno hard feelingsits just business, right? Frank Pomata, Labor Tech/Suffolk County Dept. of Labor In todays over-connected world where everyones business is so out there for the world to see, including our employers conducting a confidential search can be challenging.    That being said, one can still discreetly conduct a job search without overtly alerting ones employer. Avoid a drop off in enthusiasm, participation and productivity as these can be tell-tale signs to an experienced supervisor that someone is losing enthusiasm and may be job searching; Do NOT tell anyone at your employer, even friends, you are looking UNLESS you need a peer reference AND know they can be trusted 100% not to disclose to anyone else. Adjust your settings on Linkedin to allow recruiters/employers to contact you. Constantly be passively looking by regularly keeping your resume/Linkedin profile up to date.  This way any sudden changes or updates are not viewed as suspicious should your employer be surveilling your social media (and dont think they dont). Emphasize the confidential nature of your search to prospective employers and/or recruiters.  Even saying or writing this is no guarantee as I know all too well from a friends personal experience. Be careful, even away from work, who you tell about your search or where you discuss it.   You never know who might be in earshot or who knows who. Hopefully, the above tips are helpful to those of you seeking to change employment without tipping your hand to your current employer. Virginia Franco, Certified Resume Writer, Interview Consultant Try and Flex   If your job does not require a set hourly schedule, experiment with flexing. Try coming in an hour or two earlier and leaving an hour or two earlier, or conversely coming in an hour later and staying later. Another option is to try and schedule interviews during and around the lunch time hour. Avoid Excuses The most direct and professional way,  and the one that eliminates the need to come up with an excuse for missing work, is to inquire if an interview may be conducted before or after work hours. Take Personal Business Time If your request for a before- or after-hours interview gets denied, consider taking a full or half personal or vacation day. While too many of these may eat into actual future vacation plans, no excuse is needed and your paycheck won’t take a hit. Just remember more than one day’s notice will be appreciated by those in your current workplace. Less is Best The most nerve-wracking part for most employed job seekers is communicating a workday absence. In these cases, aim for vague â€" as the fewer details you provide the less cover up required.  If asked, explain that you have an appointment and if your job allows try and work from home. If pressed â€" only you can decide if it will help or harm to be up front about your job search. ****** Thanks K, for the question, and thanks to all the career experts for their insight! Ask the Coach #4 How do you do a confidential job search This is the fourth question weve put in front of a bunch of job search coaches and resume writers to see the others in this series, click on any Ask The Coaches.  This question comes from someone confidential K asks: How do you keep your current employer from finding out about your current job search? Craig B Toedtman,  Job Search Consultant, Career Adviser, Coach, Executive Search Consultant Our typical client is seeking an opportunity on a confidential basis. It is our firm belief that while the initial process can be kept confidential, ultimately, you will have to assume that your employer could find out. There is major preparation that can be done prior to risking public exposure. At this point, you are ready to move forward by making direct contacts to individuals identified in your initial research. Posting your  résumé  and responding to posted opportunities can also commence. This is the time when another person is now aware that you are seeking an opportunity outside of your current employer. You can explain to contacts that you are conducting this on a confidential basis; however, there is now risk involved. You cannot assume total confidentiality once you have brought another person into the process. Utilizing outside professionals could extend the risk of public exposure; however, there are still no guarantees. Career Services Professional:  could be contracted to present initial information to potential opportunities by providing your background without your name and contact information. Once your name is revealed to the potential employer, confidentiality could be broken, and you should assume that your employer could find out. Recruiters:  many recruiters submit candidates without identifying the name or contact information. However, you can’t be totally positive, and your name could be floating in the job market without your being aware. There is risk that your confidential search has gone public. Ideally, if you have reached the point that confidentiality could be breached, depending upon your relationship with your superior, it might be wise to make her/him aware that you are in fact seeking new opportunities. There could be great concern when doing so; however, there are times when this is the best professional way to move your career forward. In some cases, the supervisor may even help with your search! Perry Newman,  Certified Social Media Strategist, Certified Personnel Consultant, Resume Writer, and LinkedIn Transformation Specialist How to keep your current employer from finding out about your current job search is a great question. There are several telltale signs, and some self-destructive actions, that hint at people undertaking a job search while still employed.   Here are my Top 10. Be positive on the job. Disgruntled and unmotivated employees are generally looked upon as ones who are, or should be, looking for a new position. Don’t share your job search with people while you are on the job, and not with people who you do not have a confidential relationship with.” Loose lips sink ships.” Avoid all job search activities at work i.e. making-receiving phone calls, doing computer job searches, sending-receiving emails, text messages and faxes on or from company equipment. Let recruiters know not to call you at work and especially not to leave a VM on your work phone.. Try to schedule interviews (or have them scheduled for you) in advance so, if needed, you can ask for time off in advance. Make people know your preference is to take interviews before or after hours. Try not to be bullied into taking sudden and /or excessive unexplained time off in the middle of the workday. If it means missing an interview this may be a better option. If you do need to take time off for an interview, do not make up a lie to cover yourself. Worst is a doctor’s appointment. If it is checkable, do not use it, you will be caught in a lie. Just say a personal situation came up that needs immediate attention and it is personal. Don’t keep you current resume on your office computer. If or when you update your LinkedIn profile turn off the active status and share changes. When in doubt use common sense   to make a decision and think like an employer and not an employee. Lorraine Rise,  Career Coach, Resume Writer and Columnist for Workforce50.com This is a very common question among job seekers. If you are using LinkedIn in your search (which I would highly recommend), you can privately signal to recruiters that you are open to new opportunities. You can do this by clicking on the  Jobs  tab on the top menu. Then, scroll halfway down the page and click on  Update Career Interests.  Fill out the brief list of questions and hit the “On” button. This will notify only those with a LinkedIn Recruiter account that you are open to new opportunities. Nothing is published on your public profile. As an added benefit, LinkedIn says that turning this feature on will increase your profile’s search rankings. One more tip is to go into your LinkedIn privacy settings and adjust them so that  only you  can see your list of connections. For example, if you and your boss are connected on LinkedIn, you may not want your boss to see that you have been connecting with recruiters or people who work at your company’s competitors. Good luck! Lucie Yeomans, 6X Certified Career Services Professional and Job Search Strategist There is no 100%, fool-proof way of keeping your employer from catching on that you are in a job search. However, there are 5 very important tips you need to follow to lessen the chances of your employer finding out. Do NOT post your resume on a public job board. Many HR departments and decision makers use these public job boards to find candidates to fill vacancies. Don’t be one of those job seekers who gets caught searching for a job this way. If you see a job you want to apply for, go directly to the company website instead. Do turn off your LinkedIn “Sharing profile edits” in your privacy settings. If you are updating your LinkedIn profile to appeal to recruiters, make sure you turn off this setting to avoid waving “I’m searching for a new job” flags in front of your employer. LinkedIn is an excellent tool to use when you are secretly job hunting, but you need to be cautious and strategic about how you use it. Use your own personal computer, phone, and time to search for a job. Some IT departments are watching what you do. Do NOT tell your colleagues, customers, vendors, etc. you are searching for a new job, unless they are someone you trust with your life. Face it, you are trusting them with your life with that information. Subtle, yet over-zealous ladder climbers have done far less to get ahead. If you do have an interview during regular business hours, do NOT come to work dressed differently than you typically do. Bring a change of clothes. Jeri Hird Dutcher,  Certified professional and international resume writer A confidential job search is difficult because of competing priorities: An effective job search depends on networking, and a confidential job search depends on secrecy. The most important strategy is to conduct a targeted job search that focuses on a small number of specific companies you have chosen because they are a good fit for you professionally, geographically, financially, and culturally. This immediately cuts the public exposure of your search. Further, here are some things you can do to protect the confidentiality of your search: Forget about posting your resume to job boards. That is the quickest way to tell the world of your search. Instead, choose carefully those you tell about your job search. If you must share this information, ask the person you tell to keep your search confidential. Make small, incremental changes to your LinkedIn profile in the months ahead of your search. Know whom youre networking with. Is the hiring manager at the company youre targeting best friends with your boss? Its possible. Use LinkedIn to find out. Create a confidential resume and confidential cover letter to protect your identity. Ask people you contact at your prospective new company, such as those with whom you interview, to honor your confidentiality. Do not use any company resources, including phones and computers, in your search. Conduct your search activities on personal time, even if it means taking a vacation day.  If this creates difficulties in scheduling interviews, assure your prospective employer that you respect your current employer and do not wish to have your job search infringe on work time and resources. This displays integrity and should be honored by any employer worth considering. Dr. Heather N. Maietta, Master Career Coach Because K is asking this question, Im assuming she wants to keep her search completely confidential from start to finish. Here are 10 points to consider: Be a model employee: The world is small. Same-industry job searches are even smaller. When the time comes to turn in your resignation, you want to leave your current employer with as much dignity and integrity as possible. And you never know when youll need to call on somebody for support or when youll run into someone at a networking event. Be mindful of who you tell youre on the market: You need to network its the pillar of any job search. Use your best judgement and air on the side of caution when you let your colleagues know youre searching. This also might require you to accept the fact that there will be certain people youre unable to reach out to for support because of their affiliation with your current company or simply because you cant trust them to keep your search confidential. Tell potential employers and recruiters you are conducting a confidential search: Most professionals will appreciate and honor your request. Dont job search at work: Everything thats done on your work computer is property of your employer, and likely accessible by your current employer. On the flipside, potential employers recognize when you were searching for a new job on company time. This is probably not the first impression you want to make. Avoid applying to blind positions or posting your resume on job boards: You run the risk of applying for a position within your own company if you actively apply to blind positing. Same goes for posting your resume on job boards. If youre resume is visible to all, it is visible to your current employer. Skip the job fairs: It may not be your direct supervisor, but there is a chance someone in your company is actively recruiting at the fair, especially if youre searching within current industry. Watch what you discuss on social media: This tip is pretty self-explanatory although needed to be included. Assume nothing you post on social media will stay private. If youre not an avid networker, increase outreach gradually: There is a chance signs of uncharacteristic activity will raise flags, drawing attention to your search. Make sure your family knows youre searching confidentially: I cant tell you how many times a family member has  accidentally divulged information Id rather have preferred to keep confidential. It is likely your family will be aiding your search, so be clear with them upfront that as theyre reaching out to their contacts on your behalf, theyre communicating your search is confidential. Put together a thoughtful reference page: if potential employer does call references, you will need these people to vouch for you at the same time being discreet when they find out youre in an active search. Moving up and out of a job is acceptable and more frequent than ever. At the end of the day, if youre thoughtful about how you execute your search, youll be more successful in moving from your current role to a new and hopefully more satisfying position! Ron Auerbach, Author of Think Like an Interviewer: Your Job Hunting Guide to Success A lot of people are fearful of their employers finding out about their job search. One major fear is that once an employer discovers youre looking to get out, theyll cut you loose ahead of time. Another fear is once your employer finds out youre looking for other employment, they may treat you worse. Something that could lead to your making errors on the job. And this will hurt your chances of a positive recommendation. So the fear among many job seekers like K is very real. What can you do to shade your job search from your employer? Here are some steps you can take. Do not discuss your looking to leave or seeking additional employment Keep everything to yourself to prevent the accidental or intentional leaking of your looking for work. Even if you have very close friends in the office who you know you can trust, the problem is they may be caught off-guard. Or be swamped or preoccupied with something else and let it slip. A risk you do not want to chance! So live by the adage,  Loose lips sink ships! Be very careful with postings on social media More and more employers are using social media to keep tabs on employees. So you want to make sure that anything youre posting or responding to on social media sites will not even remotely hint of your looking for work. Remember, even if you forgot and deleted the post(s), it still exists out there. And for all you know, it was already seen. So you must be extremely careful with your social media activities. This includes your online profile(s). You do not want your profile to show that youre looking for work. Remember, many will just look at your headline and make judgments and/or decisions based upon this. So make sure your headline does not say or even hint of your being involved in a job search. The same applies to the rest of your profile. You must be consistent here in hiding your seeking employment in both sections. Dont use work for your job search A big mistake is conducting your job search from your work phone, computer, and/or email. The last thing you want is any record of your seeking work elsewhere from within the company. So do all your job hunting from outside the company! This includes not using your companys Internet connection. So do not connect your personal smartphone, tablet, and/or laptop to your companys Internet or WiFi connection. Your goal is to avoid any records of your job search on the companys end. No interviews from the office You dont want anybody overhearing or walking in during a phone interview or inquiry. So this relates to what I had said above, hide your job hunting activities from prying eyes and ears! And do not give out your work phone or email to prospective employers and recruiters. They should only have your personal email address and phone number(s). Behave normally A big tip-off to somebodys looking for work is their being dressed out of the ordinary and/or behaving differently. So you want to make sure youre looking and acting the same as you normally would at work. This way, nobody will suspect anything is odd or strange. Also make sure youre not carrying or bringing anything that sticks out as out of the ordinary. You want to make sure youre behaving completely normal to avoid raising suspicions. Schedule interviews outside work hours Do your best to schedule any interviews outside your hours of work. So if you can do it when youre done, great! The same with having them before you need to arrive at your job or on your day(s) off. These will avoid your needing to take time off from work to meet with employers. And let you just continue on as though everything is perfectly normal. Ive done interviews during my lunch. So thats another possible time for you to schedule an interview without raising any eyebrows in the office.When youre looking for work, its also a good idea to save your personal days, sick days, and vacation time for interviews. So ahead of your need to look for work, begin saving up as many of these days as you can. This way, if youre not able to schedule interviews in your off-time, youll be able to use up these days for interviews during working hours. And do your best to have as many employer interviews during the day. This way, you may be able to minimize how much time off from work youll need. Dont update job search materials at work You do not want to be working on or updating your resume anyplace in the office. Or putting together job search materials that will be used during interviews. Just do all these things away from the office when nobody there will be able to notice. So dont use your personal office, if you have one. And not using the lunchroom, break room, or conference room. Your entire job search activities should be made from locations away from the company where nobody from there will catch you. Avoid using employees of the company as employment references You dont want to risk somebody at the office being contacted by a prospective employer or recruiter. And having somebody else possibly overhearing the conversation. You also want to prevent your reference(s) from accidentally letting it slip they did a reference check for you. What about using one or more former employee as references? Some job seekers will do this to prevent their employer from discovering their using current employees as references. But dont forget that even former employees can still be in contact with others in the company. So it is possible a former employee youre using as a reference let it slip to somebody currently working there. Now you just got caught looking for employment somewhere else! So my professional advice is not to use anybody with your current employer as a reference. This way, youre keeping everything under wraps. And prospective employers and recruiters will understand. Gavan Ambrosini, Executive Coach, Career Consultant Great question!   And one that has a lot of folks worried as they scan the horizon for new opportunities.   If you are searching on LinkedInthere is a way to let recruiters know you are looking but without alerting your employer. You can go to your settings and turn on a button just for recruiters to let them know you are open to new opportunities. Its hard to be an actor when you are looking elsewhere and try to keep your game face on at workbut in the end, you are probably doing your employer a favor by leaving.   Try not to call in sick to make an interviewbut do use your PTO to schedule needed appointments and if possible schedule them later in the afternoon or early morning so as to not disrupt your day at work. When you can, take the entire day off!   That way you can fully focus on the new opportunity and not have to worry about giving an Academy Award-winning performance when you go to work. One last thing, it is not always a bad thing if an employer finds out you are looking.   If they want to keep you, they may entice you to stay with a promotion, more pay or other goodies.   Everything becomes a negotiation if they happen to approach you with the news they know you are wanting to make a move.   If they dont outright ask you if you are looking, they might check in to see how things are going and to see if you need additional support in any way.   Thank them for asking that question, and then think long and hard of what it might take to keep you there. Then would be the time to ask for whatever you want to keep you there.   It might be nobut at least they will be clear of what is motivating you to leave.   If they let on they know you are looking but dont offer anything to keep you aroundtake it as a sign that it is time to go anyway.   Either way, maintain a positive attitude throughout your search, and always keep up your professionalism. You never know when you will cross paths again, and you always want to leave on a high note.   After allno hard feelingsits just business, right? Frank Pomata, Labor Tech/Suffolk County Dept. of Labor In todays over-connected world where everyones business is so out there for the world to see, including our employers conducting a confidential search can be challenging.    That being said, one can still discreetly conduct a job search without overtly alerting ones employer. Avoid a drop off in enthusiasm, participation and productivity as these can be tell-tale signs to an experienced supervisor that someone is losing enthusiasm and may be job searching; Do NOT tell anyone at your employer, even friends, you are looking UNLESS you need a peer reference AND know they can be trusted 100% not to disclose to anyone else. Adjust your settings on Linkedin to allow recruiters/employers to contact you. Constantly be passively looking by regularly keeping your resume/Linkedin profile up to date.  This way any sudden changes or updates are not viewed as suspicious should your employer be surveilling your social media (and dont think they dont). Emphasize the confidential nature of your search to prospective employers and/or recruiters.  Even saying or writing this is no guarantee as I know all too well from a friends personal experience. Be careful, even away from work, who you tell about your search or where you discuss it.   You never know who might be in earshot or who knows who. Hopefully, the above tips are helpful to those of you seeking to change employment without tipping your hand to your current employer. Virginia Franco, Certified Resume Writer, Interview Consultant Try and Flex   If your job does not require a set hourly schedule, experiment with flexing. Try coming in an hour or two earlier and leaving an hour or two earlier, or conversely coming in an hour later and staying later. Another option is to try and schedule interviews during and around the lunch time hour. Avoid Excuses The most direct and professional way,  and the one that eliminates the need to come up with an excuse for missing work, is to inquire if an interview may be conducted before or after work hours. Take Personal Business Time If your request for a before- or after-hours interview gets denied, consider taking a full or half personal or vacation day. While too many of these may eat into actual future vacation plans, no excuse is needed and your paycheck won’t take a hit. Just remember more than one day’s notice will be appreciated by those in your current workplace. Less is Best The most nerve-wracking part for most employed job seekers is communicating a workday absence. In these cases, aim for vague â€" as the fewer details you provide the less cover up required.  If asked, explain that you have an appointment and if your job allows try and work from home. If pressed â€" only you can decide if it will help or harm to be up front about your job search. ****** Thanks K, for the question, and thanks to all the career experts for their insight!

Steps to Use siu Memo Writing to Get Hired

Steps to Use siu Memo Writing to Get HiredA six alumni resume writing is very important and must be done properly if you want to get noticed by these companies. A six alumni resume writing can give a person an edge over other applicants that is why siu alumni resume writing is very vital. In fact, there are a lot of advantages to using siu alumni resume writing.It is better to write a six alumni resume from the ground up. There are a lot of siu alumni resume writers who will just throw together some basic information in their resumes and then send them out to various companies. This is what you should do as well. Remember that the companies that you are targeting are not going to want to read the same information again so it is best to be more specific about what you are applying for.Try to put yourself in the right perspective. Write your own story as to why you want to be a six alumni and how you would be able to help the organization. Try to have a clear goal or an aim statement i n order to give your resume an impression that you know what you are doing. Include any credentials you have in your resume so that people will realize that you are serious about applying for siu job openings. A little self-confidence goes a long way.Make sure that you are updating your siu alumni resume regularly. This means sending it to the top executives at the organization that you are hoping to get into. Always be on top of it, even if you feel like you are not because the organization may need to change the guidelines for how you can apply.Most siu alumni resume writing are done online and then emailed to various executives for approval. As with any job, you will need to prove to the organization that you are serious about getting a position. Therefore, you should focus on making a great impression on these people. Keep a positive attitude and always have a question ready to ask.Do not be afraid to exaggerate a little bit. Be honest with yourself and do not make it look as if you are hiding something. Your resume should be professional and should not look as if you are trying to play around with it. Write from the heart and do not lie on your resume. Remember that your resume is what will show the hiring manager that you are serious about your application.A six alumni resume writing must be updated often. This is because the person is always in search of new positions and once you have filled your current position, you are most likely going to want to try and fill in another position that is available. Therefore, a six alumni resume writer will need to update the information on their resume at least twice a year.If you keep your resume updated regularly and make sure that you are able to deliver the information accurately, you will find yourself getting calls from these organizations about new positions that you are aware of. Remember that you are not going to be getting into siu jobs by accident so make sure that you use these tips to become a six alum ni.

Just How Much Do Agency Recruiters Earn!

Just How Much Do Agency Recruiters Earn! Ever asked yourself why so many young and talented men and women end up in  agency recruiting? What attracts them to the long hours and chasing people for a living? Having somebody find you a position, coach you through an application process and negotiate an offer seems like a great service. Especially since you get it free of charge. The beauty for candidates is that agency recruiters charge their clients a fee. This is often a win-win-win situation; you get the job, the recruiter gets the placement (and fee), the client gets a new member of staff. Does the recruitment fee affect my salary? The answer to that is generally no. The salary you get is the same as you would get without the recruiter, it is in the interest of your new employer that you are happy with the salary today and moving forwards. Having said that, the fee can sometimes affect you chances of getting an interview in case there are direct (free) applicants of your caliber in the running. Does the recruiter make money if I decline the offer? There are strict terms conditions in place, should you take a job and then leave in the first week, the fee generally won’t be paid.  The placed candidate typically needs to stay in the job 3-6 months for the fee to be safe and for the recruiter to sleep well at night. Some have noticed that the person who helped you find a job takes an active interest in you and your on-boarding, speaks to you regularly for the first months and then you never hear from them again (unless they need something from you of course).  In the rarer case, the recruiter has been retained by the client to perform the search and they will still get some payment in spite of you dropping out. How much do they make? A standard contingency placement is worth anything from 15-25% of the candidate’s total (basic flexible) first annual salary. A retained search assignment can be charged up to 50% in extreme cases when its a senior position and the role is hard to fill. You do the maths yourself. Also consider that good recruiters will make a number of placements every month. Are they really worth it? Yes and no. I believe some placements would happen without a facilitator, through simple advertising, social media or the internal HR department. The problem is defining the right processes and having the right people to perform this (closing the actual deals). This is why the job market is so ineffective. Some jobs certainly won’t be filled by themselves, especially niche and senior ones. When a company is haemorrhaging cash due to lack of a certain competence, the recruitment fee is worth every penny. Related: Do You Expect Too Much from Recruitment Agencies?

Systems Administrator Job Description Salary, Duties, Skills - Algrim.co

Systems Administrator Job Description Salary, Duties, Skills - Algrim.co Systems Administrator Job Description Template Download our job description template in Word or PDF format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Using Your Template Follow these instructions to use your new job description template Step one: Fill out all details in your job description template using the provided sample on this page. Step two: Customize your requirements or duties to anything special to your workplace. Be sure to speak with team members and managers to gauge what's required of the position. Step three: When the census of the team has agreed on the description of the work, add in a Equal Employment Opportunity statement to the bottom of your job description. Step four: Check with your legal department, management team, and other team members to ensure the job description looks correct before creating a job advertisement. Choose a job board that's specific to your needs.

How to Write a Cover Letter For Your Resume

How to Write a Cover Letter For Your ResumeThe Ladders resume writing service is a wonderful resource for those who need a resume as quickly as possible. When you need a resume, but the current job hunting climate leaves you feeling worn out and unsure about the next step, then you might want to get help. There are many people in the world who have the same job that you do, but are seeking a different career or experience.The best thing you can do is save your resume for another day. Most of the applications that will come in for this type of position will be from people who are already well established in their field. In most cases they already have a resume that they can share, so all you really need to do is provide them with the link to your online resume. Do not send your resume in on a whim.There are many career seekers who have been out of work for some time who are searching for a new job, but lack the information to be able to search for the right job. They also may not have the relevant skills to be able to fill the job they are seeking. Most of these people may not know it, but a resume is the single most important element to getting a new job. You will need to post your resume on several job sites in order to attract the right kind of employer.Your resume should be easy to read and easy to understand. A poorly written resume will only add to the confusion for the reader. If you can edit and revise your resume, you will make sure that it is appealing to everyone and to get the right kind of interview.The first thing you should do when you have a resume ready for the ladders resume writing service is to make sure that it is focused on your specific job opening. As a matter of fact, you should create a more detailed resume and post it on the web and send it to the Ladders resume writing service. Your resume should highlight everything that you can do for the company and how you can be of service to them. Be sure to include contact information, whether it is your home number or an email address so that you can be reached if you are hiring.Before you send your resume, make sure that you have a sample resume. When you submit your resume, your service will review it to ensure that it is appropriate. However, you should also take some time to create a sample resume, so that you have it at hand when you send your resume. Having a sample will make it easier for the potential employer to get an idea of what to expect from you.When you get your resume from the Ladders resume writing service, you should start by filling in all of the required fields. After you have submitted your resume, you can receive feedback from the writing service about any errors or things that are in need of attention. Many times the writing service will also include a cover letter and a recommendation letter as part of the process.Once you receive the resume from the writing service, you should start working on it. You should write a cover letter and follow up wit h your resume. This will give you a feel for what the company looks for and can also help you customize your resume. In fact, when you send in your resume, your writing service can include your cover letter, and the resume will reflect your individualized profile.

How to Use Social Media to Find Employees

How to Use Social Media to Find Employees Social media platforms are used as marketing platforms but hiring managers and recruiters are turning to them to find talent too. With millions of people using social media like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, on a daily basis, they have easily become great tools to use when hiring your next potential employee.Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comIt’s not only easy to use and is useful but using social media can easily cut the costs of finding and hiring candidates in half while saving you a lot of time. So if you’re new to this and have no idea where to start, here are some tips to consider when using social media to find employees:1. Figure Out which Social Media Platforms Are The Most Popular Use In Your IndustryIt’s best to first focus on the major platforms that are used by potential hires, like LinkedIn or social networks that are specifically for job industries. Do your research and ask around.2. Create a Blog Post On Your WebsiteevalBest way to find the ideal candidate is to crea te a blog post about the opening position on your website. It doesn’t have to be long, but create a catchy blog post title and add a few sentences describing the position, and then using your social media pages like Facebook or Twitter is an easy way to drive traffic and attention to your blog post.3. Tweet It OutTwitter is a great social networking tool to get a simple (140-character to be exact) message out to your followers. Make sure you create engaging tweets in order to attract attention. Using hashtags also helps to get your message out to more of a variety of people.4. LinkedIn is PowerfulLinkedIn is known to be the most professional-oriented social media platforms out there. It’s a way to easily find, network and collaborate with qualified professionals. You can post job openings and search for candidates; it’s a great way to find who you’re looking for!5. Utilize Facebook AdsFacebook ads are great for targeting a specific audience. You can choose from the audienceâ €™s age, sex and specific keywords to get you ad in front of the right people. Make sure when posting Facebook ads to make your content as engaging as possible and always add a call-to-action.6. Join Social GroupsYou can easily find these social groups via Facebook. Just type the specific group you are looking for in the search bar up top and it will quickly give you various options.For example, if you are searching for ‘Los Angeles Photographers,’ you can join the group, and once you get accepted are free to post anything from jobs to freelance gigs and more! When searching for groups to join, try being as specific as possible and make sure you add all your contact info for users to easily reach out when they want to apply.Social media is a powerful tool used in our generation. With social media, there are endless ways to find new candidates; and these are just a few. If you’re overwhelmed with the use of social media, maybe try sticking to one and trying that out first. Once you’ve mastered social media, it will definitely be all worth it in the end!

Your recruiter

Your recruiter 4 Flares 4 Flares Photo Credit - Eric Yeager Have a bit of interview anxiety?  Heres a quick tip your recruiter is pulling for you. While most places arent hiring in bulk like they used to, recruiting/staffing has been cut back, which doubles, or even triples the work load a recruiter has on their plate.  When someone calls about your resume, its because you look the part on paper and they are hoping you are the part. This should instill some confidence in you. After passing the phone screen and scheduling a face-to-face interview, you best believe the hiring team is excited and wants you to be the one.  Sure, this doesnt mean you are a lock for the job, but up until this point they are loving your stuff, so try to smile, relax, and then charm the shit out of your interviewer(s). Stay positive through out the process, a negative attitude will only cause setbacks.  I read a post from Nicole Crimaldi yesterday on using the Law of Attraction to attain your goals.  It is a great post on the power of positive thought, and Im a 100% believer in how a positive attitude and positive thought becomes who you are.  BELIEVE that you are the best fit for the position and KNOW that you will perform wonderfully on the interview.  You might find yourself surprised to see how much better you interview once setting your attitude straight. One last thing.  Just because your recruiter may 3 you, this doesnt give you the right to act like their best friend.  Stay professional, and keep your personal distance them until you gain co-worker status.  Sarah White urges you to quit being so nice, and stop e-mailing her pictures of cute kitties.  Just because we are your recruiter, it doesnt mean you can Facebook us, or send Whats up? e-mails our way.  Doing that will be creepy, and we wont be pulling for you anymore. Got it? Photo Credit  Eric Yeager Recruiters: Do you agree with me?  Have a funny/creepy story to share about candidates being too nice/weird?  Think Im a jackass?  Whatever youre thinking, Id like to know. Job Seekers: What helps with your interview stress/anxiety?  Ever do something nice for your recruiter before or after being hired?

15 Bosses Share Their Biggest Launch Lessons - When I Grow Up

15 Bosses Share Their Biggest Launch Lessons - When I Grow Up Recognize some of those faces? Theyre the pretty, smart, bad-ass  mugs of successful business owners some former clients, and all friends! #blessed And because theyre all so kind and helpful, they agreed to answer the question: Whats the one thing that you wish you had done differently when you launched your business?   Youre gonna wanna take notes  ??   Rebecca Tracey  Business and Marketing expert for new coaches  The Uncaged Life I wish that I had focused in on a very specific topic and started creating content around JUST that topic. I had a few similar niches that I was trying to reach and didnt have a strategic plan in place, so wasted a lot of time blogging about stuff that didnt really lead people to buy a specific program from me. If I was to do it again Id create a program about ONE topic and write blog posts, do podcast interviews, create webinars, and opt-ins, and run FB ads ALL about this one specific topic with the intention of getting clients into that ONE program. So in a word FOCUS! Kira Sabin  Ringleader of the Dating Shitshow  The League of Adventurous Singles Given myself a big, fat break. I had so many expectations of what I needed to be doing, how much money I was supposed to be making, etc., that I about talked myself out of this business that I truly love. I now know this is a long-game process. You will evolve and grow and so will your business. Esmé Weijun Wang  Award-winning author and founder of The Unexpected Shape, a resource site for ambitious people living with limitations If I could launch my business all over again, I would spend *much less money* on educational products and coursesâ€"or, at least, I wouldve more carefully vetted the ones I did sign up for. I wasted literally thousands of dollars to learn outdated information from people who werent even experts in their field. Its l tempting to take All the Courses or read All the E-books, but information overload is a real thing. Be careful about whom you learn from (and Michelle is the Real Deal, FYI). April BowlesCreative Business Consultant  Blacksburg Belle I wish I wouldve truly believed in myself. In that first year of business, I wish I had a way to see the future and know that I was going to make it. It wouldve prevented a lot of sleepless nights and bellyaches, and I didnt really make it until I believed I could do it. Whether you think you can or think you cant, youre right. Henry Ford Jenny Blake  Business strategist and author of PIVOT: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One  Jenny Blake I wish I had focused on creating steady, recurring cash flow, rather than project-based billing as many coaches are taught to do (i.e. billing for a 3- or 6-month engagement). With the project-based billing structure (or rather, lack of it), I never knew what I would be earning and when, and I felt like I was constantly chasing down invoices and new clients to pay the rent. Switching to monthly retainer billingâ€"where clients are billed on the first of every month, have 3 sessions at the same day/time each week, and can cancel at any timeâ€"saved my business and my sanity. I could finally predict how much I would be earning each month based on how many clients I had. In my book I call this a cash (flow) cowâ€"every business needs one! Kate Gremillion Career Consultant  Mavenly + Co.   I would have focused on doing one thing really well rather than try to be everything to everyone. I learned the hard way that not everyone is meant to be a client and some people can’t afford you and that’s OK. Listen to your gut, and be true to your mission. Sarah Von Bargen  Writer and teacher  Yes and Yes I wish Id been more strategic about how my blog posts related to my services and offerings. Sure, *some* of my blog posts related to what I did/sold, but the vast majority of what I published wasnt related. Be ye not so stupid as me! Susan Hyatt Master Certified Life Coach  SHyatt.com I wish that I had hired help sooner. In the beginning, I was doing everything myself, as most of us have to do. I wish that someone had said to me, Susan, you need to delegate and hire out everything that takes you away from your coaching magic. When I did hire an assistant at the end of my first year in business, it was a real game changer! Kate Swoboda Life Coach, Author, Director of the Courageous Living Coach Certification  Your Courageous Life Spent more time articulating exactly how, in very pragmatic terms relevant to someone’s day-to-day life, someone practices courage. I think that better articulation of what a courageous life looks likeâ€"beyond just endlessly talking about happiness, authenticity, and inspiration!â€"would have helped my right people find me and resonate with me, faster. At the same time, I appreciate the wide open space I gave myself for experimentation and figuring it all out, and especially since I love where I’ve ended up, on some level I wouldn’t change a thing! ?? Alexandra Franzen Author, Writer, Writing Teacher  AlexandraFranzen.com When I launched my writing business, at first, I had almost zero clients. I wasnt very busy. I had tons of free time. I wish I had used that free time to walk by the river every day, eat lunch outside, bask in the sunshine, or visit my mom and dad. But instead, I spent my time obsessively checking my Twitter stats and refreshing my inbox inside a dark room. All that precious time wasted. What I learned is that if youre not that busy, it can feel terrifying, but also it can be a huge gift. Being not that busy probably wont last forever, so cherish that free time while youve got it! A few years down the road, when youre solidly booked up, you might nostalgically reflect back on those early days and wish you were a little less busy all over again. Paula Jenkins Life and career coach  Jumpstart Your Joy I wish I had fully trusted that I already knew what I loved, and had the courage to follow that. It was easy, early on, to get distracted by the shoulds. When I boiled it down, I love helping people find their voice; I rejoice when people (re)discover what brings them joy, and I fought following the path that would let me do those things. It turns out that podcasting, coaching, and consulting is THE things that I adore and that I can do as my work, too. Tanya Geisler  Leadership Coach  TanyaGeisler.com Thinking that someone else had all the answers was a source of suffering early in my business build. I wish knew then, REALLY knew then, that I could trust my own guidance. Like, bank on it, trust. Sure, some people will have specific insight into specific challenges and its smart to ask for that helpbut for the most part? My way IS the way. Was then, is now. Tiffany Han Writer, Speaker, Teacher  TiffanyHan.com I wish thats Id gone BOLD with my message and given myself permission to stand out in this crowded marketplace. Its okay to turn heads yo! L’Erin Alta  Soul guide, Shadow diver, Spiritual teacher  SisterFire.com Nothing! No one promised that building a business would always be easy or simple or profitable â€" but I knew I was doing what I was born to do and that it would be worth it. So I studied, took courses, worked with coaches, applied what made sense, let go of what didn’t. I was focused and persevered, even when it was hard. I picked up part-time and temp and full-time jobs when my business wasn’t making money. I kept going and growing and learning and eventually created a business that I love (that loves me back). Shenee Howard Brand Strategist  Hey Shenee Mindset, baby! I know it sounds woo but I cant tell you how many of my problems early on were about my f-ed up mental game and not honoring my worth and setting boundaries with people. My best advice is to learn the business and the mindset required for being a business owner. That stuff is key. Oh! And talk to as many people as possible about the problems you solve. It will make everything easier! Want a custom plan to launch your business in 90 days? Make it happen now with an experienced guide at the helm (ahem ahem).