In resolving this question, remember that getting another job probably will not be easy and that the best approach is first to try and locate a job while you're still working. One advantage here is that you are more attractive to prospective employers if you are still working. For example, executive recruiters are very leery of recommending job hunters who are out of work to their clients. In fact, only about 5 percent of the people hired through executive recruiting efforts are out of work. Another reason for remaining on the job while you are looking is that you are maximizing your options. Changes may occur within the company that makes it more desirable for you to stay.
On the negative side, however, conducting a job search while you are on the job is likely to expose you to only a few job possibilities. You will also have only a limited amount of time to carry on a campaign. And your campaign may be discovered. If you decide to stay on the job while you are conducting your job search, your campaign strategy depends on the company environment and your relationship with your boss. If it is a good relationship, your boss may let you search to a limited extent while you are on the job. In fact, some bosses encourage it, because they feel that sometimes an employee, when exposed to the realities of the market outside, comes to realize that the old job is better than he or she thought and as a result tackles it with new vigor.
If your relationship with your boss makes it unlikely that he or she would approve of your search, you must carry on a confidential campaign. The first step in this, and it is often not considered carefully, is to undergo the same sort of intensive preparation that is outlined in this article for someone who is out of work. This probably will take a lot of self-control, because the kind of preparation which is emphasized here may require you to drag out the start of your search for such a long time that you may get impatient and decide impulsively to make contacts with employers and agencies before you are effectively prepared. Often this is the downfall of a good confidential campaign.
Once adequately prepared, start your campaign with a limited number of contacts (your closest friends in influential positions plus a few selected executive recruiters). Once you have made your first contact, you have introduced a risk that could put your job in jeopardy. It is difficult for you to know just what relationship each contact might have with your boss or another key person in your organization. There are three things to do at this stage. First, be very selective about these contacts.
Second, make clear to them that this is a confidential campaign. Third, and this is often the key to a confidential campaign, be patient-it is not unusual for a confidential campaign to take 12 months or more. Also prepare yourself for the possibility that your boss will discover that you are looking. This could be catastrophic, but it may be just awkward.
What is likely to happen here again depends on your company and the type of boss you have, and your relationship with him or her. You may be asked to leave immediately (even with no severance pay in spite of long service) or a limit may be placed on the time you can take off and a deadline set for your leaving, or you may be encouraged to stay. If you want to preserve your option to stay, there are several approaches you might take. None guarantees success, but they may be worth a try.
For example:
You can deny that you've been looking (but it's unlikely you'll get away with it). Or you could say:
"I was approached, and while it's very unlikely I'd be interested, I could see little harm in listening to what the possibility was."
"I did casually check out this one possibility that I was approached on and I decided my situation is much better here-so I turned it down and intend to stay."
"I have been looking and hope you'll give me some time to work things out."
"Every few years during my career, for my own long-term career plan, I've felt I should casually check out the market-as it is very hard to get a perspective on my progress otherwise."
At any rate, you should be prepared to be asked to leave and ready to move your campaign into high gear if it happens.
If you're looking for another job, a key decision is your strategy. Many people make the decision to leave primarily because they are looking for more money. The desire to earn more money is natural, but it can lead you into a trap of taking a job which is not really a good one for your career in the long run. That is not to say that money is not important. But even more important than your immediate pay is the type of job experience you will be getting and the long-range possibilities (and future pay) of the job. If these two priorities are met satisfactorily, your desire to earn more money will be satisfied in time.
Another important consideration on leaving your job is timing. In a period of recession, a great many organizations are in difficulty. Ordinarily this is a poor time to leave voluntarily, because few jobs are available and an unusually large number of people are looking for them. So put all your energies into improving your performance on the job - so that when the job market does become more favorable, you will have improved your credentials for making a desirable switch.
A final thought on quitting - make sure that when you walk out the door for the last time, you leave the most favorable impression possible. Some individuals have become so frustrated with their situation that they proceed to tell their boss and other key people in the company off. There is nothing to gain by doing this-other than giving yourself temporary personal satisfaction. On the other hand, you may have a lot to lose in terms of getting favorable references from your company.
Furthermore, acting so immaturely can cause a feeling of guilt which may act as a considerable drag at a critical time (when you're conducting a job campaign).
