If Your Boss DOES Find Out You're Looking

Whether from a monster saved search as discussed in a previous post, or whether by your network backchannels, it's wise to assume that your manager may very well find out you're looking to move on.

If he or she does confront you with this knowledge, it's admittedly going to be awkward. But maybe this is an opportunity for an honest discussion about what you're looking for. Who knows, your current organization may be able to accommodate you.

In the meantime, here's some advice from Facebook and Myspace about trying to remain anonymous in the first place

Further Reading:
5 Job Search Tips from Indy Star.

Belated Trick or Treat--Monster Can Bite You

Photo by Vik Nanda

Here's a dose of paranoia for those of you who may also be trying to improve your financial situation by getting another job. I probably shouldn't have been, but I was semi-shocked when a friend told me last week that the owner of his company has a saved search at Monster for any job-seekers posting resumes containing his company's name. The owner then makes a practice of telling his managers that he has found resumes of current employees and asking them to find out why the person is looking for another job. EEK.

A couple of people I talked to about this found that practice borderline abusive. I find it just to be a cautionary tale. Even if you choose to make your contact information anonymous (one of Monster's privacy options), a savvy employer could still identify you by your company name or job details. And even if you choose to make your entire resume confidential (in other words, it doesn't show up in searches) there is nothing keeping people you do authorize viewing it from emailing it to your boss.

Monster itself warns

As with any career or networking site, the general rule is: If you don’t want your friends, family or boss to know about it, don’t post it online. Once you’ve set your information to public, understand that you really are getting your name -- and a whole lot more -- out there.

The Other Side of the Equation--Reducing Debt by Increasing Income

My best friend's dad used to say, "You have to have a horse to get a horse." Well, somebody offered me a new horse Friday.

I already have a job. I've only been there for six months. I like the work, I like the people. I like the owner. I like my boss. Sure, there are politics and frustrations. But where are there not? Really, what's not to like?

The money, that's what. The truth is I am not making enough money at this job to deal with the aftershocks of our financial hard times. In fact, I was making less than I did 10 years ago.

Still, I wasn't looking for a job. I work in a small industry. Everybody knows EVERYBODY.

But a friend of mine left her position, where I have long dreamed of working. They were a former client.

I put off calling the head of the organization for a week or so after I found out she was gone. I couldn't imagine how I would tell my current boss I was leaving.

But then I got it together. I want this job. The cliches clicked. Opportunities like this don't come up every day. My family is depending on me.

So, I interviewed. The recruiter asked me why I was looking for a job after such a short time. I told the truth. I'm not, but I just couldn't pass this by.

And I got an offer. It's a great offer. More money. A really generous 401K match. 100% paid family dental coverage and 90% paid family medical coverage. Option to work at home several days a week. A shorter commute. Shorter working hours. Did I mention a really generous 401K match?

I'm still working out the details, but I'm going to take it. And I'm going to have to tell my manager, his manager, and the owner of my company that I'm leaving.

I want to be honest and say, I'd love to stay here, but I'm financially desperate, and I just can't. But I won't. I'll give them platitudes. I'll thank them for the opportunity. I'll tell them how much I enjoyed working there. I'll ask them to keep in touch. The platitudes, in this case, have the advantage of being true.

And they'll be bitter, angry, in denial, bargain, and eventually accept it. They'll blame effing Polly Poorhouse for everything that goes wrong after I leave.

Change is stressful. Change is necessary. Change is good. Yay.

Polly's Pointers:

* Always be looking for your next job.

* It's not personal, it's business.

* Value yourself, and others will value you as well.

* Be authentic.

Photo by Christina Matheson