Using the social network to find work
March 4, 2011 9:52 AM Subscribe
How can I use my social networking contacts to help find a new job when I haven't given notice at my current job? Long-distance job-hunting advice needed, please!
Good news: my husband was offered a job in New York!
Bad news: we live on the other side of the country, and I haven't found a job in New York yet.
You know that job-hunting advice about telling everyone you know that you're looking for work? There are literally hundreds of people I'm connected to online (Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) who work in my industry in NYC. Most are not people I know well enough to approach individually, but I would like to start sharing the news, not only for possible job connections but to help build my social circle in New York. In particular, I'd love to start tweeting about moving and job-hunting, since I have a large and connected Twitter following, but my Twitter account is also public and tied to my real name.
Is it possible to reach out to my online contacts without jeopardizing my current job? Or is it worth the risk? Should I come clean to my current employer and/or go public with my East Coast job search? How would you handle this situation?
(FWIW, my husband's new job doesn't start until May, so I'm planning to be with my current employer for at least another month. I am working with recruiters and applying for jobs through traditional channels as well.)
Good news: my husband was offered a job in New York!
Bad news: we live on the other side of the country, and I haven't found a job in New York yet.
You know that job-hunting advice about telling everyone you know that you're looking for work? There are literally hundreds of people I'm connected to online (Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) who work in my industry in NYC. Most are not people I know well enough to approach individually, but I would like to start sharing the news, not only for possible job connections but to help build my social circle in New York. In particular, I'd love to start tweeting about moving and job-hunting, since I have a large and connected Twitter following, but my Twitter account is also public and tied to my real name.
Is it possible to reach out to my online contacts without jeopardizing my current job? Or is it worth the risk? Should I come clean to my current employer and/or go public with my East Coast job search? How would you handle this situation?
(FWIW, my husband's new job doesn't start until May, so I'm planning to be with my current employer for at least another month. I am working with recruiters and applying for jobs through traditional channels as well.)
The best time to start looking for a new job is before you leave the old one. People do it all the time. I did last year.
Put it this way: the kind of people who would tell your current employer that you're putting out feelers aren't the kind of people you want to work for.
posted by valkyryn at 10:25 AM on March 4, 2011
Put it this way: the kind of people who would tell your current employer that you're putting out feelers aren't the kind of people you want to work for.
posted by valkyryn at 10:25 AM on March 4, 2011
Why wouldn't you give notice now? By giving your employer more time to find your replacement, you're generating goodwill. Your boss, HR department and colleagues may have leads for you and it would be a waste not to take advantage of those close connections. Definitely connect with quasi-strangers online but prioritize the personal contacts.
posted by paindemie at 10:31 AM on March 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by paindemie at 10:31 AM on March 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
I agree that there's no reason to keep it a secret at your current job. I mean, the decision is made, right? You're definitely moving. Within the next six weeks or so?
I doubt anyone you currently work with would fault you attempting to find a new job in your new city. If they would, I'm not sure they are contacts you necessarily need to care about offending.
posted by Sara C. at 12:44 PM on March 4, 2011
I doubt anyone you currently work with would fault you attempting to find a new job in your new city. If they would, I'm not sure they are contacts you necessarily need to care about offending.
posted by Sara C. at 12:44 PM on March 4, 2011
Yeah, this isn't "I'm going to the rival company next door," this is, "We're moving and I can no longer work here."
This is the time to let them know - that the situation is out of your hands, that the opportunity is one that you have to take, and that you have enjoyed your time at your current company. This is the time to compliment your boss, to compliment your co-workers, to let them know that you are giving them six weeks notice, which should afford you the opportunity to help train your replacement making it as seemless a transition as possible.
This is the time to soak in positive reccommendations from them - to flat out ask them for job leads and connections - which you will pursue during your personal time and outside of work. Seriously - this shouldn't need to be a seceret - this should be a time for goodbye cake at the water cooler.
posted by Nanukthedog at 1:41 PM on March 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is the time to let them know - that the situation is out of your hands, that the opportunity is one that you have to take, and that you have enjoyed your time at your current company. This is the time to compliment your boss, to compliment your co-workers, to let them know that you are giving them six weeks notice, which should afford you the opportunity to help train your replacement making it as seemless a transition as possible.
This is the time to soak in positive reccommendations from them - to flat out ask them for job leads and connections - which you will pursue during your personal time and outside of work. Seriously - this shouldn't need to be a seceret - this should be a time for goodbye cake at the water cooler.
posted by Nanukthedog at 1:41 PM on March 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Tooty McTootsalot at 10:15 AM on March 4, 2011 [2 favorites]