The dos and don’ts of job hunting while still employed

Have you flirted with the idea of a potential job or career change? It can be tricky looking for a new job while you're still employed, especially while trying to keep your plans private or if you're wanting to leave your employer on good terms. Experts say there are a few things to consider before you start the process and how and when to handle conversations with employers, should the right position come up. 'Be mindful' when you start job hunting If you've already downloaded a job-seeking app or have started trawling websites of certain employers that appeal to you, "you're not doing the wrong thing", says Dr Ryan Gould, from Griffith University's Business School on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri lands. "That is not illegal, it's not a breach of confidence and it is a good thing to be doing," says the senior lecturer from the department of management. "There have been a number of court decisions that say it's OK to look for other work, that looking itself is not harming the company. "But the way you go about it can be construed as harm, so just be mindful of how you do it." For starters, Dr Gould recommends you always job hunt in your personal time and use a personal device and email address for communication rather than a company one. Roxanne Hart, a lawyer and specialist in workplace relations law in Naarm/Melbourne, says there is no legal reason you can't job hunt while still employed. "The number one thing that I would suggest is tell nobody," Ms Hart says. "Because obviously somebody who's remaining in the business has a duty to their employer and may well feel obliged to spill the beans. "Then you may well find that you're not being treated quite as well as what you were before." Know your responsibilities Our experts recommend people check their employment contract or agreements before starting the job-hunting process. Dr Gould says it is important to understand how much notice you would be required to give if you were to resign. "Those notice periods are typically linked to the length of service," he says. "So, in most industry awards, for instance, if you've only been there for a couple of months, one week's notice is fine. "But the longer you've been there, the more notice you tend to need to give, typically between two and four weeks." Ms Hart says it is also important to know about any contractual obligations, such as: - Non-compete clauses (prevent or restrict workers from moving to a competitor) - Client non-solicitation clauses (restrict workers asking clients to become a customer of another business) - Co-worker non-solicitation clauses (stop or restrict workers from asking co-workers to work for another business) She says there are some proposed changes to non-compete clauses set to be introduced next year that will make it easier for employees to move around between businesses. "The federal government's proposing laws outlawing non-competes that stop you from working for a competing business if you earn under the high-income threshold, which is currently $190,100." She says the Corporations Act also prohibits employees from improperly using information they obtained through their role to benefit themselves or someone else, such as a new employer, or to harm the company. How to handle referees and job interviews Keeping a lid on things can become more difficult when it's time to nominate referees on a resume or schedule interviews. When it comes to referees, experts say best practice is to ask that person if they are happy to vouch for you before you apply for a job. "Rule number one is always to make sure that you've sought permission from any referee," says Karen Gately, a HR specialist and consultant from Melbourne/Naarm. "It doesn't have to be your direct manager but there might be another internal stakeholder or manager that you think is in a position to be able to speak intelligently about your experience and potential." Dr Gould says your job application is considered private information, so the company needs to take reasonable steps to protect that information. "If you are worried about 'getting caught', it can be a good idea to instruct potential employers to not contact your referees until you are the preferred candidate." If you do land an interview, it is important to make sure you are not doing them during paid work hours, according to Ms Hart. "You may well have to take annual leave," she says. "Or even say to your employer, 'I've got an appointment, I'll be away for an hour, do you mind if I make up that time later in the day?'" What to tell a prospective employer Ms Gately says most prospective employers will likely ask questions about why you want the job, but be prepared to answer why you want to leave your current role. "Definitely don't bag your current employer," she says. "Most reasonable human beings will think, 'are you part of the problem?' "So, focusing on what are the advantages, what are the things you will gain…new skills, broader experience, [or] the new employer's reputation around their culture." Dr Gould recommends finding a way to talk about the new job as an opportunity and "how it's going to help you grow". "Use that as an opportunity to reinforce why you are the person for the job and link it to your strengths." The rules and etiquette of resigning Ms Hart recommends never resigning from a job until you have signed a contract with your new employer. "Particularly if there's a long time between the offer and the actual start date, it may well be rescinded due to budget cuts or internal issues or a change of mind," she says. "So, I wouldn't be giving notice until such time as I have a signed contract." She says resignations need to be given in writing, but it is often best practice to have a conversation with your employer first. Dr Gould says that may also come down to the relationship you have with your current employer. "You might try and have a coffee and have that conversation [with them]," he says. "But there's no general term there, you've really just got to be true to yourself and your relationships." Ms Gately believes it is important to maintain professional relationships as much as possible. "Not burning bridges is a pretty important priority," she says. "So, if you do actually cross paths again in your industry or another workplace, that's not going to haunt you."