Looking for a new job? Your boss may know
Posted
Nov 11 2008, 12:39 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Layoffs may be in the air where you work, or perhaps you are unhappy with your job. We bet it never occurred to you that your boss may already know that you're looking for another one.
That could be the case if you're using an online service like Monster to mine the job market and aren't taking available precautions, says Polly Poorhouse at Economic Crunch.
She learned this from a friend whose boss has a saved search for resumes that include his company name at Monster. She says, "A couple of people I talked to about this found that practice borderline abusive. I find it just to be a cautionary tale."
What can you do?
-
If you're dissatisfied or bored at work, talk to your employer about possible changes before you begin a job search, an article Polly linked to at IndyStar.com advises.
-
If you begin searching, keep unwanted eyes away by making your online resume confidential. Job Web sites like Monster give tips on how to do this.
-
Do your searching on your own time, not when you're on the job. A limited amount of personal online time is tolerated at many workplaces, but don't do anything online at work that you'd be embarrassed for your bosses to see. They can if they really want to.
-
Here's an extra tip. Restrict your Facebook or other social-networking entries to friends only. Potential bosses who are researching your background won't be enthralled by how much tequila you can drink or the first time you realized you have cleavage. (For more on that, read this story.)
Even if you keep your resume confidential, Polly says, "there is nothing keeping people you do authorize viewing it from e-mailing it to your boss."
She adds, "If he or she does confront you with this knowledge, it's admittedly going to be awkward. But maybe this is an opportunity for an honest discussion about what you're looking for."
