How would you handle trying to get another job while still working? v. real jobs

[scrubbs]

I have been working at a food packaging company as a continuous improvement/quality engineering position. Lately I have had feelings of not wanting to do this anymore. I am only 1 of 2 engineering graduates in the place(the other is the general manager so i dont work with him much at all), and i feel my knowledge isnt being used or even applicable in a lot of cases. For my personal career development, i dont feel i am getting challenged intellectually enough, or even at all. I also find the negativity on the shop floor quite maddening as they can act like children quite often.

Now, of course i dont want to quit without having something lined up, as this job isnt terrible, and it pays alright. I dont have any debt, and few bills and have enough saved up to live meagerly for probably 6 months without work.

Have any of you tried to get jobs while holding a previous one? did you tell your bosses you were actively looking for other positions? I think i will basically be applying for jobs i would really like, as i dont want the same thing to happen in a year. How would you ask for time off for an interview? When telling them why you are thinking about other jobs, do you tell the truth?

I am kind of at a loss here.

[beavens]

do not tell them you are leaving until you are sure, and only when you're putting your 2 weeks in.

do you not have personal days you can use for interviewing?

[Stereodude]

Originally Posted by scrubbs

Have any of you tried to get jobs while holding a previous one? did you tell your bosses you were actively looking for other positions? I think i will basically be applying for jobs i would really like, as i dont want the same thing to happen in a year. How would you ask for time off for an interview? When telling them why you are thinking about other jobs, do you tell the truth?

Yes, I have gotten a new job while still working at job. Twice in fact... No, you do not tell your boss anything. Telling your boss will generally get you fired. You do not want to quit your current job until you have a new one. Do not even give 2 weeks notice until you have accepted an offer from another company and perhaps even passed the drug test (if they have one). Do not quit your job and then look for a new one. Companies do not like to see periods of time where you aren't working. It is easier to find a job if you have a job.

You don't ask for time off for an interview. You either schedule the interviews for when you're not working (days off, early morning or late evening), or you use vacation/personal days (not telling the real reason why) or come up with some excuse why you're late to work or need to leave early. Car troubles are good for coming in late, and doctors appointments are good for disappearing for a while during the day or leaving early. Do not tell anyone at work that you are looking, not even your best friend at work.

[Ryuuko]

I am in the current situation as you...fortunately I have enough saved up that I can take a year off.

Unfortunately I have to quit after I refinance my house..whose documents I should be signing in the next week.
I suggest if you can get the other job start date lined up...then give you current boss a 2 weeks notice....my guess he may offer you more to stay....if my boss offered me to stay...he would have to pay me the month I was not paid for work I did.

[scrubbs]

i wouldnt stay if they offered me more money. Money is the last thing on my mind with this.

[illig]

I think most people look for jobs while employed elsewhere.

Most hiring managers understand that and will work around your schedule. To make time, you take a lot of doctor appointments.



You don't quit or mention anything about a job search
until you have accepted the offer from the new job.

It's pretty straightforward actually.

[Trachei]

nothing to add, but what the others said. Keep your mouth shut until you have another job.

[McBeef]

Bring it up to your boss, or another one will call him asking for your recommendation.

[Stereodude]

Originally Posted by McBeef

Bring it up to your boss, or another one will call him asking for your recommendation.

No, No, No!!!

They will not call because you don't list your boss as a reference, and you tell them not to contact your current employer.

[scrubbs]

this is my first job in my career field. so i dont really have many references. that's the other thing. who would i use as a reference? a fellow employee? when companies are calling your references are they usually calling to ask how hard a worker you are? quality of your work? punctuality? attitude?

[beavens]

Originally Posted by scrubbs

this is my first job in my career field. so i dont really have many references. that's the other thing. who would i use as a reference? a fellow employee? when companies are calling your references are they usually calling to ask how hard a worker you are? quality of your work? punctuality? attitude?

you'll actually find that it's pretty standard for companies not to allow their employees to be professional references.

[Zildjian]

theres certain legal things that a person cant ask when calling references. it is something along the lines of you cant ask anything more than if you worked there. correct me if im wrong, i just remember hearing this at some point.

[De7|ro|i7]

Originally Posted by Zildjian

theres certain legal things that a person cant ask when calling references. it is something along the lines of you cant ask anything more than if you worked there. correct me if im wrong, i just remember hearing this at some point.

That is basically correct, however as a manager getting a call of a verification of employment from another company (or anyone) is kind of suspicious.

[Trachei]

Originally Posted by Zildjian

theres certain legal things that a person cant ask when calling references. it is something along the lines of you cant ask anything more than if you worked there. correct me if im wrong, i just remember hearing this at some point.

no, this isn't the case. Many questions can be asked. As long as the manager is not intending his comments to be deliberately spiteful against you and he is noting your actual performance than your former employer is in the clear. Bascially, they can tell the truth as long as it's the truth, though most places won't be too honest as to not get themselves ina a possible predicament. Business law 101

[Stereodude]

Originally Posted by Zildjian

theres certain legal things that a person cant ask when calling references. it is something along the lines of you cant ask anything more than if you worked there. correct me if im wrong, i just remember hearing this at some point.

Incorrect. If you put someone down as a reference they can be asked just about anything they want.

There are limited things that a past employer can be asked about if you don't list them as a reference. I think they can only verify the dates you worked there and the position you held.