Rita Ashley, Career Coach. Field tested advice for executives.

You boss has done it so why are you punished you when you do a stealth job search?

Networking and the stealth job search, hazard among hazards. The typical job search is conducted while you are still employed. Unless you included your employer in your decision, you operate in stealth mode.

The hazards and consequences of being found out require careful consideration. First, the obvious.

• Your employer pays you to work when you are at work.
• Your employer pays for all the materials or devices you use.
• Every Internet and Email contact leaves an electronic trail.
• Most companies, whether they tell you so or not, monitor all email and some telephone calls.
• Time off that is not vacation time is your employer’s time.

A warning. If you are looking for a job locally, by the time you make your second contact, the chances are high your employer or manager will find out. It is a fact. Prepare for it, anticipate it.

Steve T. thought he was being incredibly careful when he met a prospective employer for lunch at a restaurant he was certain was too far away for any of his colleagues to visit. Imagine his surprise when he was greeted from two tables away by his CEO’s Administrative Assistant. She was meeting her husband for lunch. She recognized both Steve and the gent with whom he was dining and, make no mistake, she told her boss.

People talk. Not quite so serendipitous is the fact that there is no such thing as a confidential job search because people like to gossip. As soon as you enter the building of the prospective employer you run the risk of being recognized. Remember the three degrees of separation concept. Also remember when people see you in an unexpected place they automatically assume you are looking for a new job. This is especially true when you are wearing appropriate job search apparel.

Once you actually interview, the people with whom you interview will start to ask their network about you informally. You have no control over this and no amount of assurance of confidentiality will change this. Human nature will not be circumvented just because someone assures you they won’t disclose your intentions. Even board members can be indiscreet.

If you conduct an effective search, contact your network and even expand it, you increase the probability of discovery. With every phone call, every business function you attend, you increase the odds someone with whom you work will know. Be prepared. Assume no one will keep your secret; in fact, understand it is unreasonable for you to ask, to give so much power. Know how to handle the awkward conversation and the consequences once your search is discovered.

Tell your employer. People look for jobs while they are employed all the time. Your employer knows this. Your boss has probably done it. But keep in mind you work with people who are emotional, fallible and sometimes, hypocritical.

Because it is highly likely they will find out on their own, revealing your intentions to your employer sooner rather than later is preferable. Yes, there are consequences but they have to be weighed against what will happen if they find out without your telling them. Employers are people. Your manager believes he/she has a trusting relationship with you. Their schedules and budgets are predicated on your continued employment. When you leave, you disrupt their opportunity to shine. Their ego is involved and they may feel betrayed, vindictive and angry. When to tell is a personal choice. Because discovery is a high probably, be prepared to handle it with dignity.

Some employers will dismiss you unceremoniously on the spot. Prepare for the lack of income and take action financially. While you are still employed and before you begin your search, apply for a home equity line of credit if appropriate. This single action can make the difference between desperation and comfort as you pursue a new job without a dependable paycheck. In lieu of that, make certain your finances are as tidy and lean as possible. Remember, when you are no longer employed, you either have no medical insurance or you pay the excessively high COBRA rates. Include the amounts into your budget.

Be prepared from a reference perspective. If you are caught lying, you may have ruined your chances for a good reference no matter how excellent your work has been. And now that you are no longer employed with that company, those are the references expected by any new employer.

Upon discovery you may be asked for your resignation and a two week notice. Again, you must assume they will not assist you in your search or provide a good reference. Plan for the worst. Once discovered, discuss the situation with your manager or closest colleague to insure a usable reference. This employer is the most weighted when reference checks are made not just for this job search but for the next one as well. If you have to mitigate any damage, prepare your previous employer/reference with ammunition to counteract the damage.

The apparent fear. If your employer discovers you are looking they may be alarmed you will disclose company sensitive or even private information. This is of special concern if you are interviewing with competitors. Initiate conversation to assure them you will not and have not discussed anything other than your individual processes and leadership. Give an example of how you speak only in general terms about sensitive material or upcoming products and how you avoid disclosing the secret sauce. So important is this one conversation that it is imperative you have it with everyone who has any impact on your next job.

Achieve stealth

Your LinkedIn profile is a critical resource for your job search. If you are concerned that updating it and acquiring new connections will create suspicions, turn off alerts. Go to Settings/Network updates. Check the box for hidden from connections.

If you also want to limit who sees your connections, new and old, go to settings/connections browse and check the box to hide your connections.

You are now free to update your profile and acquire new connections without any of your current network knowing.

Stealth techniques:

1. Stay off the company server. Most companies monitor websites visited and look for key words. They are not required to tell you. Avoid any job search related activity that requires company servers. This includes all social networking sites and LinkedIn access.
2. Don’t use the company computer for searching job search engines or other online resources. Your search history is visible to anyone who cares to see it and many IT departments key-word flag.Never use your company email and always use your cell phone for conversations.
3. Don’t confide in colleagues. Human nature says they won’t keep quiet.
4. Social networking sites are seen by anyone who cares to look. Be discrete and don’t broadcast on Twitter; use private messages.
5. Instruct recruiters to ask before sending your resume anywhere.
6. Ascertain what recruiters and online resources your employer uses. Avoid those.
7. Out of town interviews should be vacation time.
8. If you don’t normally suit up, don’t. Dress for interviews off site.
9. Advise the family not to discuss your job search.
10. Schedule interviews after hours or during lunch.

When you discuss your search with your references, help them see the importance of keeping the information quiet. You may not think it is necessary, but it is. People like to have insider information and it is useless unless they can share it. Forewarned is forearmed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The above information is captured from the Revised Edition of Networking Debugged. Get your arms around social networking for job search and learn to do what your competition doesn’t know how to do. Networking is hard unless you have the secret sauce. Harness the power of networking with skills, scripts, examples found in this revised edition.