Recruiting in China

People aren't waiting until they are unemployed to start looking for their next opportunities. New research has found that 73% of employees say they are comfortable searching for a job while they still have one.

However, those respondents are not only looking for a new job while employed: they're searching while they're working. Respondents say they would be comfortable looking for jobs online, exchanging emails, taking calls and submitting applications while they are at their current places of employment.

While the majority of respondents say they would job-hunt while at their place of work, 26% of respondents say they are uncomfortable looking for another job while they are still employed.

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The researchers found a distinct breakdown by age when it comes to comfort in looking for a new job. Workers between the ages of 18 and 34 were most likely to conduct job search-related tasks at their current job. Overall, 48% of workers in that age range say they are comfortable looking for a job at work. Just more than one-quarter of workers between ages 35 and 44 say they are comfortable looking for a new job at their office. Of workers 55 and older, 21% say they would be comfortable looking for a new job while at the office. The research was based on the responses of 427 workers.

"The grass isn't always greener on the other side, so professionals should first consider how they might improve their current situation before looking for a new job," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Human Resources Kit For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons Inc. 2012). "When it is time to move on, conducting the job hunt using company resources is not only unethical, it places the employee at a high risk of being caught in the act."

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To help workers who may be looking for a new job while employed, Accountemps offers the following tips.

1. Look at internal openings first. If you've outgrown your current role but are happy with your work environment, see if there are relevant openings within your company before looking elsewhere. When it comes to filling vacancies, many employers prefer internal candidates.

2. Keep it to yourself. If you want to keep your job search a secret, don't mention it to anyone at work. Even the most trustworthy co-worker could inadvertently spill the beans. It's best to stay mum until you announce your resignation.

3. Play it safe online. Be careful when visiting job boards or using social media to conduct your search. A single status update could be enough to alert your employer. You can further minimize the risk of being caught by ensuring your privacy settings are tight and using services that mask your identity when posting your résumé online.

4. Be upfront with potential employers. Most hiring managers understand that you will need to make arrangements to communicate or meet outside of office hours. Schedule interviews before or after work or during your lunch break.

5. Focus on the details. If you work in a casual environment where jeans and sneakers are the norm, showing up in a suit following a job interview could reveal your intentions. Bring a change of clothes so nothing seems amiss.

6. Partner with a recruiter. A professional recruitment agency is often your best bet when it comes to conducting a discreet job search. A recruiter can confidentially distribute your résumé and identify relevant employment opportunities on your behalf.