Job Hunting While You're Still Working

Looking for a new job can be stressful at the best of times, especially when you’re currently employed and trying to keep your job-hunting activity on the downlow.

Our latest top tips are here to help you navigate the job-hunting process while still working:

Making yourself available

Before applying for something new, consider your own availability to take part in a recruitment process. There may be more than one interview required and depending on the role type there could be practical assessments to do, presentations to give or informal coffee meetings to have. Getting a new job can be a very time-consuming process, so you need to be in the right headspace and have the time (and energy) to devote to all the steps required. If your current workload means it’s hard to focus on anything else, you may not be in the right headspace for putting yourself out there for other opportunities right now.

If you’re lucky enough to be shortlisted for a job, it’s a good idea to get a sense of what the process is going to look like and what to expect from here. That way you can start managing your own availability and how you want to play it in terms of potentially needing to take time out from your current role.

If you’ve applied for a new job, expect to receive phone calls, emails and interviews relating to your application during the workday. It may not be ideal taking time off from your current job to interview for a new one, but that’s often the reality of job interviews. Asking to be interviewed outside of normal work hours is more often than not, asking the person(s) interviewing you to work outside of their normal business hours too. Sure, it might make things easier for you as the interviewee, but for the interviewers it could mean rearranging childcare arrangements and other commitments.

While recruiters and hiring managers try to be as flexible as possible with things like interview times, you’ll also need to have some degree of flexibility with your own availability as well. Front-foot things if you’re concerned about the difficulty of being available during business hours, but also be realistic about what might be feasible for all parties involved.

Many of us work in open plan offices, or places where it can be hard to have a private conversation. Don’t be afraid to let an incoming call go to your voicemail and call back when you’re available to speak, that way you can give the call your proper attention without worrying about who may be listening. Always try to call back on the same day if possible.

Confirm your current notice period

If you can’t remember what your notice period is in your current role, check your employment contract as that’s an important thing to keep in mind when applying for new jobs. While most employers anticipate candidates will have a four week notice period, they may not always be able to wait that long depending on the needs of the vacancy. If your notice period happens to be longer than four weeks, as is often the case with senior roles, that’s an important detail to raise during the recruitment process.

Use your personal contact details

It’s very common for people who’re currently employed to send in job applications from their work email, even though their CV will list their personal email address. If your job hunt is under wraps from your current employer, it’s important to know that many application tracking systems are going to store the email address you sent your application from and may default to that as your primary point of contact moving forward. Having recruitment related emails coming to your work address can let the cat out of the bag if someone else from your organisation happens to see them. If you don’t want your job hunt to be common knowledge, make sure you’re only using your personal contact details when applying.

Should I tell my current employer I’m looking?

While honesty is always the best policy, there can be many reasons for not wanting to tell your current employer that you’re looking elsewhere.

Keep reading...

On the hunt for your next role?

Take a look at the current vacancies we're working on! See something you like? Follow the link to learn more or get in touch with the team!

Clergy Health Coordinator

Be a part of a dedicated team that values the health and wellbeing of our clergy. Make a difference & supporting those who serve our community!

Contract Type: Permanent, part time (30 hours per wee)

Location: Wellington

Issues and Wellbeing Manager

Help shape, drive and enhance the safety and wellbeing initiatives, systems and culture at Scouts Aotearoa and make a positive impact on youth!

Contract Type: Fixed term (24 months), full time

Location: Wellington

Looking for temporary work?

Our client is a not-for-profit organisation, providing dispute resolution and other related services to the energy sector. ?

Reporting to the Team Leader, you will be responsible for providing high-quality customer service support to consumers and providers who make contact by phone live chat and email and to capture and respond to enquiries and complaints.

This is an initial 12-month temporary assignment based in Wellington CBD.

Hours are full-time (37.5 hours per week), Monday to Friday.?

A competitive hourly rate plus flexible start/finish times and immediate start are available for the right candidate.

Interested or want to find out more? Contact Ngan Nguyen on [email protected] or 04 499 1069

We have more roles that will be going live later this week. Keep an eye on our website for more details on opportunities such as:

Planned Giving Fundraiser

Direct Marketing Specialist

You can find our current vacancies, job hunting advice, interview prep tips and more at mclaren.co.nz

We are proud to have remained New Zealand owned and operated, since opening in 1989. We’re also proud of our relationship with the not-for-profit sector. This business is personal to us. It’s about connecting people, not collecting commissions.