When Should You Tell Your Boss You Are Looking For A New Job?

Like most Kenyans telling your boss that you are looking for a new job when still employed is suicidal. The difficult part is when or whether to tell your boss that you are looking for another job.

Find Out >>> 5 Do’s And Don’ts Of Job Searching While Still Employed

When should you tell your boss that you are looking for a new job then?

You have had several interviews and are optimistic that you will land that job. You have always had a good relationship with your boss then you don’t want to leave them hanging by just walking out because you got a new gig.

At the same time you don’t want to burn bridges by announcing your resignation too early. So when is the right time to tell your manger that you are thinking of getting a new job?

1. When you already have an offer

Unless you have an offer and it has been confirmed, don’t go about announcing that you have a new job coming up. You find people who have just passed the first interview and they have already announced that they are leaving. My friend, keep calm!

What happens when the company decided to go with another candidate? Imagine the shame of begging your boss to keep you on. What explanation do you even give to convince them?

2. At least two weeks before you leave for your new job

You don’t want to leave your current employer hanging, by just leaving without notice. If you already have an offer, the least you can do is give your employer notice. The least should be two weeks so that they can find a suitable replacement.

Things don’t normally end go as we plan most of the time. The new gig may not be what you expected and if you left your previous job in a courteous manner, you may have something to fall back to.

3. When your contract is about to end

You were employed on a contract basis and now it’s about time you packed up your bags and moved on to something else. At this point it is wise to tell your current boss that you are looking for a new job.

4. When you have a dead end job

Some of us are stuck in jobs we don’t love simply because we are too afraid to take that leap of faith and move on to something better.

If you are working in a job where you feel that you may never grow, it is wise to let your boss know that you are thinking of looking for something else.

Explain it to him/her that you have enjoyed working for them but its time you looked out for yourself. As they say, your future is in your own hands! Be the kind of person you want to be.

In a nutshell

Nobody wants to have that conversation with your boss that you are looking for new job. Whether to tell them or not depends on how you relate to them and the general atmosphere in the organization. Outlined above are the situations when you can tell your boss that you are leaving the company.