Make sure you know at which companies your new networking contacts are employed before you spill the beans, in case their companies are subsidiaries, partners, clients, etc. of your current employer. One or more of your new contacts might even work for your current employer in a different department or division, especially if you visit networking hotspots near your office.
Also make sure that your new and old networking contacts haven’t applied for jobs at your current employer and don’t have the intention. One of them might end up being your coworker or boss, like tomorrow. Worse, armed with the dagger of your secret job search, one of them might try backstabbing his or her way into your job.
The same goes here about giving out your work email address or phone number. Offer your home contact info, personal email address or cell phone number instead.
At Work
Its not a good idea to receive job search-related emails or phone calls at work. You never know who might enter your office at any moment and cubicle walls are thin. Besides, some employers monitor email, phone calls or both, and get away with it. This is where a personal cell phone comes in handy. It’ll allow you to receive the all-important, job-search related calls at any time. It’s always a good idea to be readily available for such.
When a recruiter or employer calls your cell phone while you’re at work, step outside to complete the call. It probably won’t arouse suspicion, as people often step outside to use cell phones. They work better outside.
Alternately, set up a voice-message inbox and turn off your cell phone at work, but check it often for messages. Step outside to return job search-related calls.
Avoid discussing your job search with anyone at work. You never know who your next boss might be and when. You also never know who might turn out to be a backstabbing ladder climber. If you choose to discuss it anyway, do so only with those whom you trust 100 percent, and make sure you’re out of earshot. Someone with big ears and an equally big mouth might be eavesdropping just around the corner in the cubicle maze, right outside the door of the break room, etc.
Recruiters and Interviewers
Make it clear to recruiters and interviewers that your job search is confidential. Most will likely assume that it is, but to be safe, it’s probably a good idea to stress it anyway.
