Job hunting on while you’re on company time, using company resources to help aid in a job search, or browsing any social media websites that contain job listings are three things that are generally ill-advised and best avoided. The only real exception to that might be if you’ve been served notice that your job is being right-sized or eliminated, but in any other scenario you’re risking your current job if anyone notices that you’re looking for a new one while on the clock. This includes navigating around websites like LinkedIn, which is known for its ability to connect professionals with each other. Here are ten reasons why LinkedIn can cause problems at work:
- If you are using your company email account for correspondence, or if it’s obvious to potential employers that you are contacting them from your present job, you may be sending the message that you’re willing to slack on your responsibilities at work, which is definitely the wrong message you want to send out. Prospective employers may take a dim view of your use of company time and resources for personal reasons.
- You never know who may be looking at your LinkedIn profile, and this includes your current boss. You run the risk of having your employer see your resume or profile on the website, which will likely send up an immediate red flag to them. There goes the stealth mode for your job search. It’s wise to set your privacy preferences so that your personal info is not visible to employers.
- Anytime it becomes apparent that an employee is searching for new job opportunities, whether the boss finds out or co-workers become aware, that employee’s future has been seriously compromised in his current role. Your current boss may make a preemptive move and dismiss you before you have the opportunity to find a new job and put in your two-week notice at your current one.
- On the flip side, LinkedIn can cause you problems at work by providing your boss with qualified candidates to replace you if and when they realize that you’re on the hunt for a new job. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, as they say.
- Some companies monitor internet usage by employees, and can easily track website visits and record searches. Having your browsing history at their fingertips means that it wouldn’t be difficult for your boss to discover that you’re looking for a way out; and he may provide you with one… just one you hadn’t planned on.
- The time you spend job hunting at work can lead to productivity issues. You want to leave your current position on your own terms, not because you were fired. It’s best to leave on good terms with your current employer so as not to burn any bridges. After all, you never know when you may need to come back or utilize an old boss for a good reference. That leads to another matter of potential concern …
- If you have resorted to searching for new employment prior to making an attempt to improve your current situation, or giving your employer the chance to keep you, you could be missing out on a better opportunity at your current job. Before you start searching outside of your current company ask for any lateral or upward shifts that you may be better suited for within your current company.
- Some companies have clauses in their employment agreements that prohibit employees from seeking work with competitive firms for a specific period of time after termination. You may be violating your current agreement with your job search, so it’s best to check on any statutes of limitations that your employer may have specified in your employment contract.
- Prospective employers may inadvertently contact you or your present employer when screening your application. The last thing you want is for a prospective employer to contact your current employer if it’s going to compromise your job situation. Using the wrong email address or phone number could wind up costing you two jobs – the one you applied for, and the one that currently pays the bills.
- Of course, if you were otherwise content at your current job, finding out that you’re grossly underpaid compared to similar positions that you’ve discovered are available via networking sites like LinkedIn can also be detrimental. Learning this information can cause a whole other kind of problem for you at work. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
i’m so sorry to see that the whole post (and the vast majority of the comments for that matter) is /are motivated by fear. Somehow It makes me feel very sad and I wouldn’t even know where to start explaining how we should fundamentally change our way of thinking.
I’m with you Luud. I felt depressed even reading this. LinkedIn is a very powerful tool for business – never mind job searching. People need to change their attitude. Two things I do agree with is search for jobs in your own time, and change your privacy settings if you don’t want people to see what you’re up to.
Discretion is ALWAYS a good idea when job hunting. Most employers know that talentd employees are often looking for greener pastures. However, you don’t need to broadcast it. I suggest having a personal laptop or iPad with you for these tasks… to be performed during your lunch break
This job hunting ordeal is rife with challenges. I have been in the same job role so long that I had forgotten how unpleasant it can be.
This article makes me feel fortunate. Being a CEO, the only one likely to fire me is myself – or I guess a board meeting gone bad. Then again, there is my wife. She’s the President of the company and my successor as the CEO and she’s in no rush to punt me.
I agree with Rhonda. LinkedIn is a powerful tool, when used appropriately. Using it on the job when it is not part of your job function is definitely not a wise thing to do.
As with all social networking forums, use them wisely. Do not say anything on them that you would not be proud to tell your Mom about, assuming you have/had a good relationship with your Mom.
There are so many other reasons to use LinkedIn. Just because you are on there (participating in groups etc) doesn’t mean you are looking for a job.
If you are going to use ANY social network to troll for clients, then you should inform your employer of what you are doing and why you are doing it, then keep a record of your visits, as well as the good you have done for the company. Always be ready to show an accounting of your actions at any time.
I always told my employees that if they found a better job and wanted to make the change, to please give me a 2 week notice so I would have the time to hire someone to replace them and not be left in a bind. I’m sure most employers feel much the same way. Some company’s may spend a great deal of money traing an employee to do things the way they want things done.
If a potential employer realizes that you are using company time to search for a new job, should come to the conclusion you have no integrity as you “rob” your current employer of your productive time.
If your current employer learns that you are using company time to look for a job, should terminate you immediately for stealing from the company. Being fired from a job will not help your resume.
There are too many options to use when looking for a job. Never perform a search at work – there is a good chance you will be discovered.
For my former employer I used Linked-In as a way to find new leads and connect with future prospects! I suspect you will find that many sales professionals find value in LI for this and are not necessarily on the site looking for a new job
Searching for a new job at work is the surest way to ensure you’ll need to search for a new job.
There is a risk with some employers if you suddenly start to get active on LinkedIn. The assumption is that you must be looking for a new job where the truth may be that you’re trying to connect with potential customers or other resources within the market.
My former employer had a ‘look and get fired’ policy written into the employee manual – simply seeking a position with another company was grounds for termination. I always thought that was kind of stupid; we’re in an ‘at will’ state so they didn’t need a reason to terminate but I’m sure there was a lawyer involved in the writing.
There are an awful lot of potential pitfalls where social media and company policy cross; on a strict reading of my non-compete I was in violation when I was initially hired because I was connected via LI with people at competitive companies.
Good stuff Bob.
Some points I agree with, but I think the whole big-brother attitude that is described here from companies and bosses is wrong. Honestly, many people don’t have time to check up on their employees on Linked In. And many companies are not going to spend their valuable profits paying a person or creating a tool to data mine for disgruntled employees potentially wanting to leave. But your article is thought-provoking! Thanks!
not to mention it is just wrong!
Bottom Line is that job hinting should never be done on work computers or company time.
Enjoyed this post.
Clearly, Internet profiles, Social networks, comments and opinions can be viewed by potential and current employers- Think twice – Type Once!
Our company REQUIRES a completed Linked In profile, presumably as a selling point to potential clients. Anyway, there’s all the time in the world outside of work to look for jobs if that’s what you want to do. Only a ninny uses their work address to send out resumes, etc.
Hi Bob,
Well said Mr Bob, The information age can be of great benefit as well as a great detriment I guess it depends on how you use it. Thanks for sharing.
All true Bob.
Last year I noticed a number of people at work joined LI. They did so due to invitations from clients, therefore, a great deal of them had incomplete profiles. “I know I’ll write a blog post about the importance of up to date full profiles”… I couldn’t write it if mine wasn’t full as a reasonable example so I started asking people in my network for recommendations… Point B in your post came around very quickly. “Careful, Mike is looking for a job obviously”. I wasn’t of course, but I see how they would have thought that. lol
Thanks for the post.
Mike
Well said, Bob! With so many devices and available gadgets to check LinkedIn, there should be no reason you have to do it at work on company time or on company computers. Why ask for trouble. Just think before you link!