Looking for a new job in the current climate is difficult enough. And most currently employed job-hunters can’t risk losing have the added onus of worrying about losing that gig if their bosses find out.

Over at the NY Daily News, they have these five tips for walking the tightrope of looking for a new job without losing your current one.

1. DON’T CHEAT:
Don’t go calling potential new employers from a dark corner or an unused conference room. It just looks sneaky. Use personal days whenever possible.

2. KEEP IT TO YOURSELF:
Don’t let your co-workers know that you’re looking for a new job.

3. TURN IT INTO A POSITIVE:
If you can’t use a personal or vacation day to schedule an interview, ask the potential new employer if you can do the interview at the time and day when your absence will cause the least disruption at your current job. “Your new boss will likely think more of you for respecting your current employer than they would if he learned you’d snuck out of work to interview with them.”

4. DRAW THE LINE:
Try not to use your work computer (or fax/phone/copier) for anything related to your job-hunt.

5. HEAD IN THE GAME:
Don’t let your daydreaming about that possible new job — no matter how much of a lock it appears to be — impact the work you’re doing at your current job. It’s also important to finish strong at that job because you may end up working with, or for, those same people again in the future.

Job hunting while still employed can hold pitfalls for applicants [NY Daily News]

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