Planning the Ethical Exit
If you’re ready to make an exit from public accounting this year, you’re not alone.
There’s never been a better time to search for the next step in your career. Not only are there more job opportunities available thanks to improved flexibility from employers, hybrid and remote work opportunities, but the skills-short market means people like you are in high demand.
Now’s a great time to start looking for a position that matches your needs in regard to company culture, work schedule, and salary.
However, the time to start looking for a new job is while you’re still employed. Searching for a role when you’re currently employed elsewhere can be a tricky process, as the last thing you want to do is burn any bridges with your existing employer.
So here are several ideas on how you can get started the right way.
Step 1: Prioritize Discretion
Discretion is key when you’re searching for a new opportunities while you’re still employed. Although it might be tempting to speak to colleagues about your plans, don’t.
Being discrete about your job search doesn’t just mean keeping quiet at work. It’s important to think about how you’re interacting online too.
While you might be ready to make the jump, you never want to be ungrateful for the learning and growing experiences you’ve had or come across that way online.
As things can quickly become misconstrued about your current work environment.
Don’t mention your job search on social media or set your public LinkedIn status to “open to work.”
It’s best to privately raise your hand through the features Linkedin provides, giving you the space to look without causing too much alarm to your current coworkers and employer.
It’s best to avoid posting your CV/Resume on job boards too.
Not only can being overly vocal about your job search cause friction with your current employer, but it might tell future employers you’re not respectful of your roles.
Take a professional and discrete approach maybe by talking to recruitment firms who specialize in the areas you’re looking to go into to assess the market for the role you want first before you do anything else.
Step 2: Update Your Resume
If you’re going to be looking for a new job this year, it’s important to ensure you have the right resources in hand. This could mean you take some extra time to update your CV/Resume and cover letter, focusing on adding your most recent achievements into the mix, as well as giving detail about the work you’ve been doing in your current role.
Speak to your recruitment company about the resources you should have available, to improve your chances of being considered for a new job.
This might include up-to-date character references or copies of presentations you have developed that demonstrate your expertise.
Step 3: Approach Interviews Carefully
If you successfully apply for a new role and receive an offer for an interview, it’s important to be cautious about how you approach this next step. Try to schedule interviews outside of office hours, so you don’t have a large gap in your working day.
If you’re able to schedule earlier in the morning or later in the work day, plan for that. That way you can stay engaged while you’re at work and not take too much of your work day interviewing for other opportunities.
When you connect with your hiring manager for the job you want to apply for, let them know you would like to keep the process discrete. Ask them to only contact you on your personal phone and email (don’t use any business contact details). It might also be worth letting them know when you’re likely to be at work, so you can avoid any overlap.
Step 4: Job Hunt on Your Own Time (and Devices)
If you want to maintain a good professional reputation in the accounting space, it’s important to demonstrate commitment to every role you take. Searching for a job when you’re in the office, on company time, shows disrespect, and could scare off future employers.
Avoid the temptation to review new job postings when you’re in the office, or respond to messages from potential employers. If something needs to be addressed quickly, set time aside in your lunch hour, and get outside of the office so you can maintain your discretion.
Always make job-related calls away from the office, particularly if you’re scheduling an interview or need to ask questions about a new role and stay off company equipment.
Step 5: Continue to Excel in Your Current Job
Even if you’re tired of your current role, or unhappy in your position, it’s important to act professionally. It’s crucial to continue performing at the same level as usual. Even though you’re looking for new opportunities, it’s important that while you’re still employed to to do your best work, staying focused, diligent, and intentional. Often times, near the end, it can feel easy to not do your best since “it won’t matter anyway.”
You want to stay in the practice of leaving people and places better than you found them — this will only reflect favorably on you to both your current and new employers.
Find Your New Role the Right Way
Searching for a new role while you’re still employed can be a complex process. In any situation, finding the right job can take significant time and effort. However, the process becomes a lot more challenging when you’re trying to balance your existing employment with your career plans.
If you need help discretely searching for a new position, the best thing you can do is have a conversation with an experienced recruitment company within the accounting world.
They will give you an assessment of the current job market for the roles you are looking for. They will look at your future goals and give you ideas on the best next steps.
They might even have the ideal role for you; everything starts with a conversation.
If you would like to chat about the options that may be available to you, we would love to talk with you. Book an appointment on our calendar here to talk more about your career & what’s out there.