How to Stay Engaged in Your Job While Looking for a new one

Whether you had a job before completing your health care training program or graduated from Concorde and are looking toward making your next vertical move, looking for a new job while you're employed must be a well-choreographed tango.

Knowing how much to share with your current employer, how and when to search and navigating scheduling interviews are just a few of the steps that must be coordinated to avoid a big spill.

Our Graduate Employment Specialists on each campus can serve as trusted guides through this process while you're in a health care training program at Concorde.

Staying Engaged while Looking for a new job

Public job search resources do exist for a reason. You are not wrong for using them, but you need to know how to use these tools in a way that won't create problems down the line should you accept a new opportunity.

Here's how to stay on good terms with your current employer while searching for a new job:

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• Communicate with your employer about your current career goals. Many companies would prefer to keep a good associate rather than hire someone new and go through the onboarding and training process. If you're unhappy, and it's something that could be addressed, give your current employer the opportunity to make changes! Are you wanting to take on more responsibility, break into a new area of the business or are having issues with a co-worker? Be open and honest! You may be surprised how much a simple conversation can accomplish.
• Use discretion on job boards and social media. Remember that your boss, co-workers or other persons in your network can see what you post. Think twice about what you say online during your job search.For instance, you will not want to make comments about your plans to find new employment on your personal social media pages. If you are on LinkedIn, you should limit what your current boss and coworkers see as much as possible.
• Do your job search on your own time rather than your employer's time. Under no circumstances should you use your work phone or company email to correspond with prospective employers. Limit the numbers of days you request off as well when searching for a new job, and do not tell your employer that you are asking off from work for a job interview.
• Think twice about using your current boss or co-workers as a reference. As you move through the interview process, you may be asked to provide references. Most hiring managers don't mind if you skip current coworkers and supervisors and use previous positions instead. It's best, even with your closest work confidant, to keep your search under wraps to avoid any unnecessary scrutiny.
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Bonus Tip - Who do you know?

Think about who you know that could connect you with great opportunities. In addition to working with a graduate employment specialist, think about people you've interacted with during your health care training program.

Where do other alum in your cohort work? Did you have a great relationship with your supervisor at your extern site? Could one of your instructors have some leads that may be valuable?

Time is on your side. Don't take the fact that you're still employed for granted. Use the time to be strategic in your search. Be selective about which opportunities you pursue. Continue learning and growing, as you make your health care training go to work for you!