Everyone knows that in today’s world and this ever shifting economy, we all need to be on the lookout for better opportunities. But most of the time, current employers don’t look kindly on the job hunt of their employees, if it’s out in the open. This is why you shouldn’t ever use the computers at your office for a job hunt while employed, since your boss will very likely catch on to your activities and think you’re about to go or completely dissatisfied with what you’re doing now. But how should one proceed, then? Well, we’ve put together this brief job interview tips precisely to help you juggle schedules and properly job hunt while employed.

1. Don’t wear anything unusual

Source: JobSearch About Careers

If you need to wear ‘proper’ interview clothes and it’s really something you don’t usually wear to work, then it’s simpler to just take the clothes along and change just before the interview, after you leave your office. You don’t want to raise your supervisor’s suspicions by looking unusual or too prepped up, because that would lead to questions and it’s best to avoid situations which would tempt you to outward lie to them. If you’re wondering how to hunt for jobs and how to make up a credible lie for your employer, don’t. It’s best if you never reach the point where you actually have to lie in order to hide your job hunt.

2. Let your office know you’ll return shortly

It’s best if you can work the hour of your interview around a work appointment or thing that needs to be done. If you really can’t find anything to do for your current job that would justify your heading out, then just say it’s for personal reasons, but make it seem very casual and ordinary (more on that on tip number 3 from our job hunt when employed guide). Be nice and if the official reason you’re leaving is personal, then also offer to stay overtime to make up for the hour or hours you take off. Make sure your office knows you’ll be right back. If need be, even leave a snack behind on your desk, or your coat and umbrella. If it seems like you’re just out for a smoke and about to swing back in just any minute now, you can consider the mission accomplished.

3. Have a good back-up (alibi), just in case

This is the most important tip we have on how to hunt for jobs while employed: you do need to have a strong alibi just in case your boss catches on to the time uncovered by work reasons, but avoid telling an ugly lie. Don’t make up excuses which may cause your co-workers to feel sorry or concerned for you (like family problems or health issues), because if you do move on to the next job, your lie will eventually come out. Chances are, it will probably find its way out in the open even if you don’t switch employers; and a dramatic lie which causes concern will definitely be more memorable than a regular, run-of-the-mill one.

That’s why, you need to make sure you find a good alibi, but something that doesn’t seem out of the ordinary. A follow-up on a doctor’s appointment or having to go solve a paperwork mix-up somewhere is a much better alibi choice. This way, it won’t be something that will come up in office conversations after you leave.

You should also consider how your future relationship to your current work place will be, even if you leave it. We know that cultivating a good relationship with your current employer is probably the furthest thing on your mind, since you’re considering a new job, but trust us when we say that it’s important nonetheless. Just like it makes for a bad impression if you gossip about your former boss during an interview with a new job, so does a warm memory of you as an employee contribute to a nice professional image. It may seem like a big country, but it’s best to maintain positive relations all around your professional network. Don’t leave a bad impression behind and don’t slam the door on your way out. That being said, we wish you the best of luck in your new job hunt, and, if you follow our guidelines, you’ll be able to do it in a way that doesn’t cause conflict.