Last week I talked about the fear of looking desperate when reaching out to people in your network, when you’re seeking a new role.
But there’s another fear that stops people even earlier:
“What if my boss finds out I’m looking?”
It’s real. It’s valid.
No one wants to risk their current job while searching for the next one.
I’ve had clients who:
→ Avoided updating LinkedIn for months
→ Turned down networking opportunities
→ Stayed stuck because they were too afraid of being “caught”
But here’s what I’ve learned after helping hundreds of mid-career professionals:
There are ways to search strategically and confidentially.
You don’t have to broadcast “Open to Work.”
You don’t have to post about job searching.
You can:
→ Update your profile subtly
→ Do some behind the scenes activities that signals you’re open, without your current employer seeing it
→ Network privately
→ Position your outreach as “exploring opportunities”
And if your boss does notice?
Successful, ambitious professionals explore options.
That’s not disloyalty, it’s career management.
The truth is: staying invisible out of fear hurts you more than it protects you.
If you’ve been holding back because you’re worried about being found out…
Let me show you how to do this without putting your current role at risk.
Let’s talk through a confidential strategy