job hunting while still employedI need help please! To give you a brief background, I' m currently employed at my first permanent, full time job (previous jobs were all 3-4 month summer jobs). I' ve been at my current one for over a year and half (will be 2 years in March) but I' m starting to feel suffocated and bored, dread Mondays! Hence the need for a new gig. Question 1: Question 2: Currently: marketing coordinator (publishing industry) Dream: freelance pro music/travel photographer I' ve been working on photography for the last couple of years and have been improving greatly. I' m currently working on a website to display a portfolio online. However, I' m not good enought to go pro or full-time freelance yet. I also currently do a steady amount of music event promotion and organisation in my free time. My main prob is that I hate sitting indoors at my desk, in front of a low quality monitor with depressing fluorescent lights overhead, 8 or 9 hours a day, Mon - Fri. I just turned 25 and it feels like work is sucking my life away. Really don' t want to be one of those people who dread going to work everyday, but do it all the same for the money, and before you know it, your life is almost over! Am I being too idealistic or flighty?? I trust that some of the folks on here might be able to offer me some advice, or at least give me some food for thought and welcome any constructive criticism you may throw my way. To question #1, I' m looking for the answer to that one, too. I' ve been looking and sending out my resume but have had no responses yet, but I, too, worry about how to handle interviewing while still employed. One thing to think about is maybe saving your vacation for those awkward-but-exciting times. In other words, try not to take too much vacation, so that if and when you start to get interviews, you can take a day off without too much of a problem. That' s part of my strategy. Another option is just to level with your prospects and ask if they can do things like lunch-hour interviews, after-hours interviews, even weekend interviews. You never know, and it can' t hurt to ask. As far as I know, it' s not an automatic black mark with a prospect if you tell them you don' t want your employer to know you are looking. (Hopefully, someone will correct me if I' m wrong!) To your 2nd question, I can answer with the following: Keep doing what you' re doing on the side, and start promoting your work and building contacts and your portfolio. Do it part time, paid. Build on that. Build your businesses. I' m a freelance writer, editor, and photographer (mostly the first two--I just started with photography, but I' m pretty good at it.) I spend some of my free time looking for freelance assignments, and I' m currently working on 2 chapbooks in my spare time. These things start small, but with dedication, they can be grown into businesses. I wish you lots of luck! The biggest keys are: patience and to maintain a strong work ethic, even if you are fed up, bored, burnt out, bitter, and any number of other things. Briefly, what happened in my situation is that I' m the 2nd of 2 secretaries, and I think the other secretary--the "head" secretary, mind you--is gunning for me. Some stuff has happened, and she treats me like dirt, and no one does anything about it. I' m going to ask my company for a transfer after Thanksgiving, but meanwhile I' m sending my resume out, just in case. I do hope someone reads this thread and responds as to the "etiquette" on looking for a job while still employed. I am employed full-time, but am looking for something that' s a better fit (plus, my company' s been downsized, and we' ve all had to take on various responsibilities of our former co-workers). Luckily, I can take time off whenever I need to (usually only about a week' s notice), so I' m just waiting to schedule an interview! You can schedule your interviews during the lunch hour? Maybe that would be a good way to do it without upsetting your boss. Employer / Employee loyalty is a one-way street. Employees are expected to pledge undying loyalty to the Employer, while the Employer is free to dispose the Employee at will. The Catch 22 of job searching is it's always easier to find a job while one is currently employed than to job hunt when unemployed. One risks being targeted for the next downsize or "reorganization" if the current employer learns one is job hunting. Additionally, prospective employers look more favorably on currently employed applicants than those unemployed. Hope these tips are helpful. [1] If you have a home computer and email, use it to contact employers and answer ads. Never use your office computer and email. [2] Update and copy your resume and application queries at home and copy them elsewhere. Never use your employer's equipment. [3] Gradually start coming to work better dressed. "Interview clothes" can be a tip-off if you normally wear jeans or business casual dress. [4] If you get an interview, schedule it for lunch hours or after work. If all else fails, take a sick day or vacation day. In response to "looking for employment while employed." I agree you should use caution, however, the position I currently have, I applied online from my previous job. Both of these positions are with local government agenencies. No, I do not feel bad about how I went about applying for the position. I have attempted so many times in the past to do things the "correct" way, and each time I got PLAYED! My attitude now is that I have NOTHING to hide and I will have the employer that I am applying with contact the current employer. I am not suggesting that is the way to go, but it works for me, because I feel Life is too short, and as mentioned before, the relationship between employer and employee is HEAVILY skewed. Although this is not a justification to my reasoning, I firmly believe "Let the chips fall where they may." Also, I have been in the job market for a while...so I may be a bit more cynical. Good Luck to you all in your ventures to find "The Right Job." Be honest with yourself and perform a critical self reflection regarding how exactly you want in your job. Prepare your resume and start to send to the jobs you are attracted. Be very cautiuous and discrete about your job search.Do not comments with anybody in your job. At monters,yahoojobs,etc. you could ask for confidential resumes to avoid your boss/peers see you are looking for job. Be professional until the last minute at your job,let the door open. Do not use the company coputer,fax , fax to send resumes and or do phone calls..there are " gosts" anywhee. In your first interview be sure that the reason you provide to your potential new employees will not "I am bored"...just tell them you are looking for a better opportunity. Very good look in your future job. now...if you would like to talk with your boss regarding the "possibility" to move,to relocate for different job at your actual compnay ,my advise is try your best to look for new and exited opportunities at your actual job.In addition, you could talke with your boos,regarding "your volunatary and proactive" participation for new and mor echallenging job position: this could provide your the potential opportunity for a promotion and more experience in your professional field. Remember, "we some times, believe that the grass at the other side of the road in greneer and is not"... | |
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Career Tips
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