Search Q&A
Looking for a job while still employed
I am wondering in the current climate of downsizing, if you suspect your job might be cut, but don't yet know and havent been given notice, would you start looking for another job? It is easier to get a job while you have one, but on the other hand, if your current employer finds out and you dont get the new job, then your loyalty might be called into question and you get fired anyway. So what is the general good practice here?
Sounds like way too much emotion and not enough pragmatism flowing between you and your employer.
Could be the big problem here is your FEAR, so tackle your fears & take action.
1) Think through a worst case scenario (you do nothing and are fired)
2 1) Read "Feel the fear & do it anyway"
3) if you truly truly truly think your employer will fire you if they know you are checking out other jobs - take the appropriate actions to ensure your employer does not find out.
P.S. ALWAYS look for a better job when already employed.
Good luck
If it is in the best interests of your employer they will fire you - and any other employee - without thinking twice.
With that in mind, if it is in your best interests, look for another job. And make sure that your current employer doesn't find out. It's perfectly reasonable to insist that a potential new employer doesn't contact your current employer until they are prepared to offer you a job; it's common practice and they will understand.
And, as parachute says, you should ALWAYS be looking for a better job.
They wont call your current employer unless you specifically use them for a reference.
We have just been through the same thing and not once did they attempt to call the current employer.
They certainly will not approach ANYONE for a reference until they are ready to offer you the job. Think about it - a job is advertised and they get 50 applicants; they haven't got time to take up 50 sets of references of which only one or two will be of interest.
They are never going to take up references - either work or personal - until they have interviewed you and you can then stress that they can ask for personal references but should not contact your employer at that time.
I worked for the same company for 7 years and for more than 6, I was looking for another job. Never once was my employer contacted until I had a firm offer from a new company and that offer was made 'subject to suitable references'.
