Comments on: Weighing Possibilities

By: intuit

intuit — Sat, 12 Mar 2005 07:34:17 +0000

not that I’m an expert when it comes to finding work, but I’ve always followed the words that my junior high school band teacher told me. he said he was always looking for new work even if he liked his current job. I try to do that too…not so much with my current job, but with my past jobs I was always looking through classifieds and online job websites…

just my opinion..

By: rockyrockstar

rockyrockstar — Sat, 12 Mar 2005 00:00:31 +0000

It’s really easy to interview without quitting. Just leave. Say “I have to go take care of something.” They won’t ask. Even if they suspect, they probably won’t fire you. It’s pretty hard to get fired.

Also, once you have a job, give your employer a chance to make a counter-offer. I did that at the cemetary and they made a really good offer. I didn’t take it, but they offered me $40k with good benefits and a more interesting job description.

By: rockyrockstar

rockyrockstar — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 23:56:45 +0000

Brent and Caleb are right. I’ll be more blunt. It would be insanely stupid to quit your job without having another one to go to. In this labor market, a bird in the hand is worth 10 in the bush. You can’t imagine how much crappier the job you might have to take in a month or two could be if you can’t find anything better. You think it couldn’t be worse? Dude, I’ll tell you about some shitty workplaces.

jeff

By: harambee78

harambee78 — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 22:45:07 +0000

Well, I don’t think other companies have any qualms about stealing you from your current job if they want you. In other words, they don’t care if you currently have a job or not. In fact, it is probably a point in your favor that you do – it shows that someone likes having you around.

I’ve never been much for the workforce, obviously, but I know people, engineers even, who have a job, don’t like it much, and are constantly on the look out for something better to come up. This happens in academia as well. I am applying for jobs right now I know I won’t like much. But it’ll be a job, and if I get one of those, I’ll take it and immediately start looking for a new job that will suit me better.

The only rule to really follow is not to let your current employer know you are actively seeking a job until you are fairly sure you’ve found one and that you are probably going to leave. This may seem dishonest, but it really is standard procedure. Not telling the boss is more like being polite than it is being deceptive.

By: pihsrow

pihsrow — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 22:13:24 +0000

i’m with the others. when i was working for LifeSource last year i actively worked hard to find other jobs and had a breakfast or lunch interview if possible or would take a 1/2 day off for an interview. i would really not recommend leaving without something to go to. a crappy job is almost always better than no job.

By: anchan218

anchan218 — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 21:27:52 +0000

Use your vacation days to do the interviews if it comes to that? My parents (and plenty of other people) have told me many times that it’s a LOT easier to search for work while you’re working.

By: bigcat2k

bigcat2k — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 21:04:57 +0000

You tell me, I’m confused how I get to interviews w/o letting people know I’m leaving.

Plus I’ve had 0 actual professional jobs before this.

By: harambee78

harambee78 — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 21:02:11 +0000

I don’t really understand the dilemma. Can’t you just stay at your job and apply for other jobs at the same time? Then if you get one of those other jobs that you think you’ll like better, you can turn in your two weeks notice? Isn’t that standard?