There are many parts of a job search, from smallest beginning steps to the final offer. And wherever you are — even if just doing some exploratory research — PLEASE do not job search using company email. Despite the desire to show off your company or seem more official perhaps, it’s wise to exercise extra caution when looking while employed.
So as soon as you feel even a whisper of longing to move on from your current job, create a personal email account for yourself if you don’t have one yet. And only use that one for your search. Including things like getting back in touch with former bosses and coworkers. Even contacting a career coach best begins from your own personal NON-OFFICE email, like Google gmail. (Easy to sign up and get started.)
Job search with company email?
Simply put, you do not own your company email. And it can be read by others, no matter how private it may feel to you. So even if you don’t mind people at work knowing you’re looking, you don’t need them to know every aspect of your search.
I once worked with a man who was very tech savvy, but somehow never realized who might be reading his email. Or that they may be out to reveal his secrets. Every word of his emails to a woman in another department he was having an affair with was read by someone working in IT. Someone who didn’t like him. And they got even big time, since internal affairs were not ok.
You never know who might be sniffing around your company email. And who may find your entire email history an interesting read one day. Job search deserves to be your own business, if and until you choose to share whatever parts of it you want to share. No need to be part of the office whisper / gossip mill.
ONE OTHER REASON:
If your company restricts use of email to business only, this could be grounds for firing. Especially if you’re on thin ice anyway. Usually a company gives you a little leeway on that point. But if you’re job hunting … well, they can use the violation of company policy as an excuse to let you go.
A few more thoughts
People often start to think about their company email as if it were really theirs … and private. And so they forget that the company owns every word of what you write. And has a right to peep in once in a while — for ahem business purposes — should the “need” strike.
So remember that … before you start any aspect of your job search using company email. And that includes even the most preliminary reaching out for info or renewing contacts. No need for a surprise wink from a colleague who has “heard” you’re looking. Or the cold shoulder from your boss, who now sees you with a foot out the door.
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