Back To Career News

PayScale’s VIP Blog Roundup: How to Network During a Stealth Job Search

Topics: Career Advice
stealth job search
Joan Vincent Canto Roig/Getty Images

It may be easier to get a job when you have a job, but it sure isn’t easier to look for one. Half your energy during a stealth job search goes toward making sure the news doesn’t get back to your current boss before you’re ready to announce it. (In other words: before you’re ready to offer your resignation.)

It’s tricky, but possible, to network your way into a new role without alienating anyone at your present employer. In this week’s roundup, we look at advice on how to pull off an undercover job search, plus how to deal with your chronically late coworker and how to figure out if toxic behavior is holding you back.

Liz Ryan at Job-Hunt.org: Networking in a Stealth Job Search

“As a stealth job hunter, you can certainly reach out to trusted search people and to friends and colleagues you trust, letting them know that you’re seeking your next opportunity,” Ryan writes. “It is essential to remind these folks that your job search is on the QT.”

That means forgoing some of the usual modern networking techniques, like sharing your search on LinkedIn or posting your resume to a job site. But there are plenty of sneaky ways to get the word out, without having it get back to your boss. Ryan offers this advice on how to do it.

Do You Know What You're Worth?

Abby Wolfe at The Muse: 3 Ways to Deal With the Coworker Who’s Always Running “a Little Late”

“It’s 3:15 PM. Not a particularly special part of the day, except that your meeting was supposed to start at 3, and Dave isn’t here yet. But you’re not surprised—because Dave is late every single time, often without any explanation or apology,” Wolfe writes. “And you’re pretty over it.”

The trouble is that by dealing with your chronically late coworker in the wrong way—yelling, storming out, etc.—you would turn the situation into a problem with you, not a problem with him. Wolfe’s tips will help you handle things constructively, so that you can get back on track without alienating your colleagues (even the late ones).

Marc Chernoff at Marc and Angel Hack Life: 9 Toxic Behaviors Holding Good People Back

“When you spend a decade working with and coaching thousands of people from around the world, you really can’t help but observe what works and doesn’t work over the long haul,” Chernoff writes. “One thing I’ve learned: It’s not intrinsic characteristics or good fortunes that have the greatest influence on whether or not you’re happy and successful in the end. It’s your behavior.”

You might be extravagantly talented and even lucky, but if you engage in toxic behaviors like blaming others or procrastinating, you’re not going to achieve your potential. Chernoff’s list will help you identify the behaviors that are holding you back, and start getting back on track.

Tell Us What You Think

What’s the best career advice you’ve read this week? We want to hear from you! Tell us your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter.

Jen Hubley Luckwaldt
Read more from Jen

Leave a Reply

avatar
  Subscribe  
Notify of
What Am I Worth?

What your skills are worth in the job market is constantly changing.