The etiguette of job hunting - the dos and don'ts.

For whatever reason your existing job isn't satisfying you anymore, and like a romantic relationship it is time to move on.  Of course in this economy it would be silly to move on without another job to go to.  This brings up the question of job search etiquette, when should you apply?  When should you schedule interviews?  When should you take phone calls?

I've had many discussions with friends about this topic lately so I thought I'd lay out a few ground rules when you are job hunting so that you leave your current employer on good terms and possibly with the ability to get a reference once you've left.

When should you apply?
If you don't like your job anymore then naturally you're going to want to get out of there as soon as possible but what should you do when you apply?  When should you apply?  Should you use your work computer?  There are certain behaviours that are acceptable and ones that are not.  You should absolutely not even think of using your work computer to apply for jobs.  Although it would be ideal for you to apply for jobs outside of work hours that is not always possible, so if you must apply during the day then use your smartphone.  In today's age you can save your CV to job sites and apply from your phone by entering some text.  The bonus of applying using your smartphone is that there is no record that anyone can trace, so long as it is your personal smartphone and it is subtle.  This means that until you hand in your notice nobody at your current job will even know you're looking.  Some people don't mind their current employer knowing that they're planning to move on but for most people it would be awkward so it's best to keep it quiet.

When should you schedule interviews?
This is a really tricky one.  Even if you don't like your current employer a part of you still wants to do the right thing by them otherwise you wouldn't be there at all.  If you can then schedule interviews in the morning before work, or after work, just make sure you allow for travel time.  If the places are close to your current work then you may be able to wrangle an interview in your lunch break.  Now, if you work in a casual job then you'll need a change of clothes.  If you're like me and you go to the gym then to keep the hunt discrete you can put your change of clothes in your gym bag and change at the gym or using the public toilets at the train station.  Even though you're not doing anything wrong by wanting to improve your future it feels like you're cheating on your employer by looking around for something better so be discrete.  If you must schedule interviews during work hours try to schedule them first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon so you can start late or finish early under the guise of a doctor's appointment or some other urgent appointment.  Of course, the level of the excuse you'll need to make will depend on the style of employer you currently have.  The more laid back the employer, the smaller the excuse you'll have to make as to why you're late or have to leave early.

Do not pull sickies.
Look.  Your job hunt probably has two phases.  In the first phase you're sussing out the market and seeing what's out there.  You're probably flicking off your CV to a number of businesses and not being worried about what happens.  You haven't completely checked out of your current job.  In the second phase of the job hunt you're starting to get impatient and want a new job.  Everything about your current job annoys you from the way the office is laid out to the location to the people you work with, even if you used to like them.  As tempting as it is do not pull sickies.  If of course you're really hating your job then chances are that you'll end up getting sick anyway.  Do not take off more time than you need to.  It just won't do you any favours.  As tempting as it is, until you find another job you are still an employee and must still show some loyalty to your employer, even if on the inside you don't want to.

Do not breach company policy
When you're job hunting, or even once you've found another job and given your notice it could be tempting to skive off, though the chances are you've been doing a bit of that anyway because you've been so unhappy in your job in the first place, but still try and get some work done.  The company is paying you after all.  It may be tempting to tell your friends all that is wrong with the company, but don't.  Again, even if you're changing industries the world is a very small place and you want to leave on good terms.  You may have no intentions of ever going back but you have no idea who knows whom or when you'll need a reference from them, so try and get work done.  Try and be friendly to the other staff and though you've mentally checked out try to do the job to the best of your ability.

Do not burn bridges
This is similar to the other one but when you do find a new job it could be tempting to go to your employer and tell them to take their job and shove it, but don't because it will leave a really bad impression.  Don't just quit on the spot either.  No employer will forgive you for doing that.  Instead, if your notice period is one month but you want to leave in two weeks then simply be straight up with your employer and ask them if that's okay.  The chances are that because you've been unhappy in the job you haven't been working to the best of your ability and that being the case, although it will be an inconvenience your employer will actually be happy to see you go.  Plus a month is a really long time.  Two weeks is more manageable when someone doesn't want to be there.

There are so many things to consider when job hunting but these are just a few of the key points.  And the main one, to summarise is, try to be considerate to your current employer and colleagues when you are job hunting and seeing out your notice.  In the long run it will yield better results.