How to Maintain a Private Job Search

There are a few reasons for wanting to maintain a private job search for a while.

Maybe you want to dip your toes into the job market and see what is out there. Perhaps you know that your name would be added to the “at risk of redundancy” list if your boss sniffed any disloyalty. You certainly don’t want colleagues to view you as someone who doesn’t want to be there anymore.

Easier said than done. 

In the age of social media, nothing is private for long.

Here are a few ideas about keeping it quiet for as long as possible.

Never look for work in the office or using their equipment / WiFi.

Never take a call about a potential new role during office hours. Ask recruiters whether you can call them back after lunch or after work. This is tricky if the recruitment process is urgent. A good recruiter will need to qualify you before they send over details, but they are used to calls that work around regular office activity. In the era of WFH, this has become easier.

Equally important is to never use work equipment (even a “home” laptop or mobile) for the job search. Activity can be tracked. Using the WiFi for your job search when you are in the office is questionable. Use your personal mobile rather than your work phone.

Adopt an attitude of always talking to recruiters.

Many people believe it is healthy to maintain good relationships with key recruiters in the industry. If you are open that you are happy to chat with recruiters, give them candidate referrals and chat about the industry, it will not seem out of the ordinary when you are actually chatting to them for your own purposes.

Most of your colleagues are entertaining thoughts of a new role at any time, so hiding in plain sight with your recruiter contacts is not such a bad idea. The same goes for constantly engaging with them on socials. Do not suddenly start “liking” posts of recruiters and employers – not a great idea if you want to keep your search on the down low.

Stealthy job search

Only let recruiters see that you are #opentowork. 

Adjusting your privacy settings in various ways on social media (and on LinkedIn, in particular) is a good way of keeping your activity private. 

It is an excellent idea to do this many months in advance of your job search as any change in status may arouse suspicions. It only takes one unfriendly colleague to make an unwelcome comment in a meeting, and your boss may dig deeper. 

Put “confidential” for your current employer in online CVs and profiles.

Many job boards require you to upload your CV so that it is then available for employers. It is common for HR departments to search for their name and see who is currently looking. A sneaky way of measuring employee engagement.

Although it might be viewed as evasive by a future employer. If you really want your job search to be discreet, you can label your current employment as “confidential.” Applying directly on employer websites is more discreet than a job board.

Do not tell anyone about your search. Not even your office bestie.

If a job search is going to stay private, no one can know about it. There is an overwhelming temptation to tell a couple of work colleagues about it and seek their advice, but do not put them in a position where they may inadvertently let something slip.

Being discreet about your search extends to your social activity. Don’t suddenly start liking motivational “life advice” quotes if you have not done previously. Make every effort to maintain the same levels of participation. One rash post can blow your cover.

***

This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists. 

Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).