Even though a number of people when asked would say they are content with their jobs, there are those that have a foot in one office door and the other in the help wanted pages.

For those individuals, trying to balance a full-time job while looking for another job can be a very delicate proposition. In fact, one of their fears is that they will lose the current job because they were found to be looking elsewhere for work. In the event you find yourself employed but looking for another job, tread lightly so as not to trip yourself up.

Ways to do that include:

• Careful who you talk to – While your co-worker may be one of your best friends, they could accidentally spill the beans that you are job hunting, even maybe so while on company time. The boss finds out about this, calls you into their office, then proceeds to give you a pink slip. What you are left with is no job, unemployment if you are fortunate enough to get it, and the real pressure of now having to find a job as opposed to wanting to find a new job;
• Don’t change your schedule or look – If you eat lunch at your desk five days a week and where casual clothing to your job, what do you think your co-workers and/or boss will be thinking if you show up in a suit or real nice dress one day and go “out” for lunch? It may seem innocent enough, but don’t tip your hand that you are en route to a job interview on company time. The best advice is taking a change of clothing with you and leaving it in the car. If you can schedule your interview before or after work, all the better. Most folks advertising for help will be understanding if you’re in a current job and need a little wiggle room to come in for an interview;
• Don’t leave behind a paper trail – The ideal situation is to look for a job aside from company hours, but sometimes it cannot be helped. If you find yourself needing some time during the day to search for another position, do it discreetly. Do not leave phone or fax numbers, copies of your cover letters and resume sitting around for all to see;
• Make sure the offer is in writing before giving notice – While it sounds like common sense, you’d be surprised how many people sometimes fall short of such a thing. If you want to leave your present job for another one, make sure the new job gives you an offer in writing before you tell the present employer bye-bye. You wouldn’t be the first and probably not the last person who told an employer they were leaving, only to find out the job they thought they had lined up wasn’t 100 percent secure after all.

Unlike earlier generations who oftentimes stayed at the same job for decades or even a lifetime, today’s economic world in many cases dictates constant change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

If you are contemplating making such a change while still gainfully employed, don’t slip up to the point you have to find another job.

Photo credit: libertiny.com

Dave Thomas, who writes on subjects such as starting a small business and credit card processing, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.