The Undercover Job Search

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Aug 08, 2013, 07:42 ET

Survey Shows Younger Workers Most Comfortable Job Hunting While Employed

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - They say the best time to look for a job is when you already have one. And, judging by a recent survey, many professionals are heeding this advice. More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of workers interviewed by Accountemps indicated they would not have a problem looking for new employment before leaving their current firm.

Some employees may go as far as searching for a new gig while at the office. More than half (56 per cent) of survey respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 said they are likely to conduct job-search activities at work. This compares to 46 per cent of professionals between the ages of 35 and 54 and only 24 per cent who are 55 and older who expressed a similar willingness.

The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals, and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from 261 Canadian employees 18 years of age and older who work in an office environment.

Workers were asked, "How comfortable would you feel looking for a new job while still employed?" Their responses:

	Very comfortable......................................... 46%
	Somewhat comfortable............................... 30%
	Somewhat uncomfortable............................... 13%
	Very uncomfortable........................................ 5%
	Don't know/no answer..................................... 7%
	101%*

*Responses do not total 100 per cent due to rounding.

Workers were also asked, "How likely is it that you would conduct job-search activities -- such as searching for jobs online, exchanging emails with or taking calls from recruiters, and submitting job applications -- while at work?" Their responses, by age:
	18-34	35-54	55+	Total
Very likely……………...	27%	15%	6%	19%
Somewhat likely…….....	29%	31%	18%	29%
Not very likely……….....	18%	24%	43%	23%
Not likely at all……........	22%	30%	31%	27%
Don't know/no answer…	4%	1%	3%	2%

"Changing jobs is not a decision to be taken lightly, so professionals should explore all options to improve their current situation before choosing to move on," said Greg Scileppi, president of Robert Half, International Staffing Operations. "If the best decision is to leave a position, it's important to be respectful of current employers by not using company resources for a job hunt, which is not only unethical but can also place the employee at a high risk of being caught."

Accountemps offers six tips to help professionals conduct a job search while still employed:

Look at internal openings first. If you've outgrown your current role but are happy with your work environment, see if there are relevant openings within your company before looking elsewhere. When it comes to filling vacancies, many employers prefer internal candidates.
Keep it to yourself. If you want to keep your job search a secret, don't mention it to anyone at work. Even the most trustworthy coworker could inadvertently spill the beans. It's best to stay mum until you announce your resignation.
Play it safe when going online. Be careful when visiting job boards or using social media to conduct your search. A single status update could be enough to alert your employer. You can further minimize the risk of being caught by ensuring your privacy settings are tight and using services that mask your identity when posting your resume online.
Be upfront with potential employers. Most hiring managers understand that you will need to make arrangements to communicate or meet outside of office hours. Schedule interviews before or after work or during your lunch break.
Focus on the details. If you work in a casual environment where jeans and sneakers are the norm, showing up in a suit following a job interview could reveal your intentions. Bring a change of clothes so nothing seems amiss.
Partner with a recruiter. A professional recruitment agency is often your best bet when it comes to conducting a discreet job search. A recruiter can confidentially distribute your resume and identify relevant employment opportunities on your behalf.

About Accountemps

Accountemps is the world's first and largest specialised staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. The company has more than 345 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at accountemps.com.

Image with caption: " Accountemps survey shows that younger employees are most comfortable job hunting while employed. (CNW Group/Accountemps)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130808_C4242_PHOTO_EN_29651.jpg

SOURCE: Accountemps