If you were to work in a company your entire life, you would never know what opportunities you may have missed and where your career could have taken you. Although working with the same people is extremely comfortable, you might get to a point where you feel you cannot progress further in your professional life. Staying with the one company would put a limit on all of our careers because, let’s face it, there are only so many positions at the top of any organisation. You reach the pinnacle of performance in the role at around year 5 or 7 of experience, but it might take 15 or 20 years to be promoted to one of the few executive positions available. Those internal opportunities would naturally only open as the company expands or once someone retires.
Today’s recruitment market works quite differently as people have the freedom of working with many different companies, exploring new projects, and searching for the employment opportunities that have the greatest potential..
Job Seekers/Professionals are free to look for a new employer whenever they feel it appropriate for their career development. This is what Calco defines as an ‘undercover candidate’ – someone who is already in a job and is looking for a further challenge in his/her career. Their job search strategy will be completely different from the traditional methods because if their current employer finds out, this could mean an early exit from their existing position. Please see below our advice that could help you search for a new opportunity while retaining confidentiality.
1. Everything should be done from your personal accounts.
Firstly create a new e-mail address that will be used for all employment-related communication. Companies nowadays retain the rights of monitoring employees’ emails so it is better to avoid sending an email about your change in employment to “Scott, your current boss” instead of “Scott, your recruiter.” Using your current employer as leverage in the negotiation only works if you’re employed. It is advisable that you don’t schedule your job interviews during working hours. What’s more, phone calls during lunch should be avoided if your colleagues are used to seeing you eat lunch onsite or in your office. Try not to do any research on employers or related plans on your work computer, as this might be monitored as well. Try to do your work as best as you can without looking at job ads in between. Some employers monitor computers and searches and could become suspicious if they begin to see this type of activity on your browser history. Another reason for keeping your research separate is psychological. If you would like to leave your current employer on good terms and with your professional reputation intact, then giving off the impression in your last weeks that you’re apathetic toward your work or distracted could be the one they are left with by the time you start a new role.
2. Look for a niche recruitment agency that can guide you throughout the process.
Employers use recruitment agencies to screen a large quantity of applications down to just the few they’re interested in speaking with, but did you know that those same gate keepers can benefit you as a candidate?
Generalist recruitment agencies that work in a variety of industries may be hiring for a relevant position on the off chance that their clients have a need, but specialist or “niche” recruitment agencies make it their business to work with clients in their niche. This means that everything between you, the ‘’passive candidate’’, the recruiter and the people who are directly involved in the hiring process on the employer side – is kept confidential. Working with a recruiter that specialises in your sector is the first step to getting in contact with the decision makers at employer’s level. A recruitment agency is also required to keep your information private which eliminates the risk of your current employer finding out.
3. Research the market first, look for leads afterwards, job leads later.
Don’t start by asking people in your network about who is currently hiring. Try to gather some information about the market first and analyse whether it is or not the perfect time for you to move. For some, a change in their career path is too far of a jump from how they are feeling in their current role. Try testing the waters first to learn about the current opportunities out there in your market for someone with your skillset, professional history, and desired compensation range.
At Calco Services, we specialise in the construction, property and engineering sectors, particularly in Quantity Surveying, which enables us to keep up-to-date and in touch with all the current and planned activity in Greater London and throughout the UK. We have a team of four that focuses specifically on the Quantity Surveying sector and are always here to help: Samantha Dodson, Michael Nordoff, Andy Cook and Nabil Salim.
As an undercover candidate, you should be discretely networking in confidential circles rather than openly on the market or to someone who isn’t secured to keep your information confidential.
When it comes to searching for a new job, remember: not all rewards require risk.
For over 30 years we have been sourcing professional staff for the private and public sector, for a range of projects including residential, commercial, education and retail, etc. Our reputation is based on exceptional service levels and support from our consultants and our ability to create and maintain long, trustworthy relationships with our clients.
If you are a recruitment consultant or a construction, property or engineering professional seeking to fulfil your full potential, contact us at 020 8655 1600 / careers@calco.co.uk or press the Send Voicemail button to leave a voicemail on the website and someone will contact you shortly.