[Ms. Bridgette Jones]

Ok, so here is my question: How do I look for a job while I still have one with out my current employer finding out or suspecting that I am actually looking? One person told me to send out a resume but to not put the company I am currently working for on my resume; however, another person said I had to list the Company name. Others say do not post on line...which limits me. My boss is highly connected within the community and knows pretty much everyone everywhere believe it or not. Do you think if I interview some place or send a resume out and they know my boss that they will contact him/her? I would think that would be highly unprofessional. Anyway, I need to start looking but do not want to jeopardize my job here by them finding out. If they find, it will truly cause me severe problems here. They do not want to let me go. I did mention I was considering looking at one point due to lack of growth and they said I couldn't leave and that they won't let me go. However, I'm not really seeing any pay increase yet or any promotions??? Regardless, I need to move on.... So what do you suggest? Do I go with a head hunter, job agency, recruiter? I have learned that employment agencies have wasted a lot of my time on interviews that went no where and honestly they advised me poorly on the layout of my resume etc... I could have sold myself better. Any advice would be appreciated.

[NicoleMiller]

I would recommend listing your current company on your resume as confidential. Also, when you post your resume online, I think some job sites give you the option to post your current company as confidential, as well as your personal information. That would probably be your best option. You would only give out your information once a company contact you.

Good luck!

[Chrissy Scivicque]

Hey Bridgette (LOVE your username, by the way!) - Here's the deal:

Don't let your current company make you feel like they won't "let" you go. You have every right to look for a new job confidentially. Most employers who are hiring understand that no one wants to tell their current employers until things are pretty much set in stone. They are used to keeping quiet. As you said, it would be highly unprofessional for someone to share the fact that they saw your resume with your boss.

In my opinion, you should do exactly as Nicole said: list your current employer and simply add (confidential) next to the line. If they ask if it's ok to get a reference, tell them not until an offer has been made and you've accepted. If they really want that reference, they can make your offer contingent on it. Otherwise, provide them with solid references from previous employers.

I would also follow the advice of Nicole to post online but only with sites that let you keep your current company confidential.

Going with a recruiter is a great option. I used one in the past and it was a wonderful experience. You save a lot of time because they do a huge amount of the leg work. My recruiter only sent me on two interviews and they were both for IDEAL jobs. She had also sold me very well before I got there. Professional recruiters definitely understand the need for confidentiality.

In the end, if the current company finds out, I can't say it would be an entirely bad situation. Perhaps they will begin to take you seriously about needing some growth opportunities. And if they really don't want to let you go, they aren't going to throw you out for looking elsewhere; they're going to try to persuade you to stop looking. So, what do you have to lose?

That's just my two cents. Hope it helps and remember, life is too short to stay at a job you aren't happy with just because you're worried about them finding out. Good luck and please let us know how it goes!!

[Ms. Bridgette Jones]

Thanks for all the support and great replies. Well, before I start looking I'm going to try to bargain with them. I did my own employee evaluation and have scheduled a meeting to sit down with the CEO. I am going to ask for a higher title and a much higher salary increase (I'm terrified but going to just do it).

I have a very supportive co-worker and she stated that they love me here and that I need to stand up for myself and ask for what I deserve. She actually mentioned that they are terrified that I will leave. That may be a good thing for me.

They completely low-balled me on salary when I started here and mislead me on duties and lowered salary range due to my previous salary at last job. So I was reading some of your tips on negotiating. I've picked my 3 salary ranges (what I won't be happy with, what will make me smile, and what will make me go woo hoo). If it's the low offer that I can't live with then I will definitely move on and use the tips above.

I printed out the salary ranges for my position nation wide and pulled some jobs off the internet with the salary range I should be making in my local area. I am getting way under paid. Hopefully in a week I will be going woo hoo, if not then I'll be looking.

If I can at least get them to increase me to a better range, that will help me when I job hunting and they try to negotiate based on my previous salary. Do you have to tell them what your salary was at your last job when you are job hunting? I feel that sets you up and I don't like it. That seems wrong...

In regards to references, luckily I have someone who previously worked with me at my company who is now elsewhere who can be a great reference for me if I do start looking so that should help with the confidentiality. I also have great references from previous employers.

I am just scared all the way around, I'm not used to being so assertive job wise. My boss is a very good business person and wheels and deals and is a great "spinner" when it comes to deals/conversations. What if they shoot me down on the salary range I have requested and are unreasonable. How do I handle that?

[Chrissy Scivicque]

Hey Bridgette - Check out these articles to help you with the negotiation process:
Negotiate Your Way to Higher Pay
Help! I'm Under Paid!
Negotiating Tactics that Give You an Edge

And if worse comes to worse, read this:
How to Quit Your Job without Burning Bridges

Good Luck!!

[Libby Huffman]

I totally understand where you're coming from, Bridgette. In my last job, I was hired for a completely different job than I ended up doing. I single-handedly transformed a department to one that actually functioned and improved performance and ultimately helped my department bring in 25% of revenue (it's amazing what a good EA can do). Unfortunately, my salary didn't reflect all this hard work and dedication. My first raise was 5% and the year after, 2%. Of course, my review was impeccable that second year, but business was slow. I never had the opportunity to negotiate with that company for higher pay because I was whisked away to a new position with a different company, but I know how it is to deal with seasoned business/sales people. As with every negotiation, be prepared to walk away. Your boss will respect you for going after what you deserve. If he/she doesn't agree, oh well, time to move on.

As far as whether or not you have to tell a potential employer what you were previously making at a job...well, it's up to you. Some will ask, others won't. Just be sure you're prepared to justify why you deserve to be paid so much more than you were.

Good luck! I can tell big things are on the horizon for you.

[Ms. Bridgette Jones]

Chrissy, Libby and Nicole;
Thanks for all of your support. It really helps to have some guidance on this one. I pulled all the articles that Chrissy suggested and will read them and prepare for my meeting this week. I am trying to think very positively! Figured this was best step as opposed to walking away because sometimes the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence. Hopefully my employer will see my value and give me some green so I don't have to go looking for it elsewhere. A good friend of mine left about 9 months ago for a better position and was doing great. She was working 12 hour days and thought she was doing well and then she was laid off last week. She is an amazing person, reliable and hard working...unfortunately, her company was bought out and her new boss wanted to bring in his own team and she got pushed out. So, with the market the way it is, I am trying to be very careful. I don't want to get tossed out on my behind because I am coming off ungrateful or greedy. I looked at the median annual wages for an EA, and I'm in the extreme low range for the salary....in the lower 25th percentile range.... they are getting a bargain out of me. Do you think it is bad if I use leverage, ie... show that I have family living in cities nearby with big companies who can help me relocate etc...and let them know that I need a reason to stay here. My Uncle is a VP for a large bank, Step-Dad VP for a large international company and also have a sister and other family member in good positions in cities nearby. One article mentioned stating that I have a job offer to push them but I don't want to be dishonest. I don't like lying. Moving is in the back of my head so at least I feel that would be honest on my part. Any suggestions on how to word it? I printed up info on my Uncle's title and position and also on my step-dad's job as well to show that I have possibilities elsewhere. Bad move or smart move?

[Ms. Bridgette Jones]

Hi guys....the big day came and has gone. They promoted my title (that doesn't cost them anything) which is great. I am now the Executive Assistant to the President. I did a PowerPoint presentation booklet with my benchmarks, my goals and how they can help me grow. They agreed to help me become a notary, and take some courses etc... When it came to salary discussion, I was going to ask for a lot more and they offered a 12-13% increase which would normally be amazing; however, my salary is way under what it should be. Sooooo I kind of lost my nerve about asking for the original number I had in my head and I told them that what they were offering was about $5K under what my "low number" was and that I had it in my head to accept nothing less than "the low number" and my boss looked surprised. My review was excellent, they love me but she said they'd have to talk it over etc... with CFO and get back to me. She said they want to see me with the company long term. While I am happy that I get a raise regardless, I was unhappy that I lost my nerve...so I wrote a memo and attached my original proposal and explained that while I am thankful for their offer, I also need to look out for what's best for me and that they should reconsider. I also stated that I didn't expect this type of pay increase yearly, the 13% was very generous but that with the circumstances being as they are, they really need to re-evaluate my salary. Wish me luck!! I am proud that I didn't accept it though. That was hard for me. She expected me to be yippy and all happy because I've been too accepting of their offers in the past. At least, they now realize I have grown and that I've also grown more assertive.

[Chrissy Scivicque]

It sounds like you did awesome!! You didn't lose your nerve at all!! You presented a very compelling case and you were straight forward about what you were willing to accept. If it doesn't work out, you know you gave it your best shot. I do wish you the best of luck. Remember not to burn any bridges here...if they can't meet your requirements, remain professional and make your decision with care and thoughtfulness. You have to do what's right for you...as you've told them. Good luck!! And keep us updated...I'm on pins and needles now!

[virgobrean]

Congratulations! You probably accomplished more than you think. In the long run, your actions will pay off as you're expanding your knowledge base quite a bit and commanding the attention of your superiors. Well done! I will use this as a reminder to never underestimate my abilities and undervalue my worth.