“Changing Jobs Is a Natural Part of Anyone’s Career”

Did you get caught curiously peeking at a new role? Katie Cadwell discusses how to job hunt without damaging your relationship with your boss, in this week’s Creative Career Conundrums.

This week’s question:

I’ve been feeling stuck in my role for a while, so I started looking at a new job. I’ve kept things discreet, but somehow my manager seems to have caught on. Their energy switched up on me – they’re hot and cold, less chatty, and just treating me differently. I’m now seen as a flight risk, and it’s made things super awkward. I don’t have another job lined up yet, but now I’m worried I’ll be pushed out before I’m ready to leave.

How do I handle this awkward situation while I figure out my next steps?

Katie Cadwell, co-founder of branding studio Lucky Dip and The NDA Podcast:

Sorry to hear that – it’s difficult to make the decision to move on, so you’d hope for discretion with everyone involved. Changing jobs is a natural part of anyone’s career. Your manager themselves will have done it multiple times so, though they may be disappointed, they’ll understand you need to prioritise your growth (and happiness). But anyone who’s worked a notice period knows it can be a little awkward!

“No one talks about the guilt that can come with moving on”

- Katie Cadwell

Ultimately, they cannot fire you for job hunting. So as long as your work isn’t being affected or you’re not filling in applications on company time, legally your job should be secure until you’re ready to make the move. Hopefully that helps ease the pressure you’re feeling.

It’s also possible you’re interpreting their actions differently knowing you’re thinking of leaving. No one talks about the guilt that can come with moving on from a company, especially one you’ve loved and has served you well.

If you feel the awkwardness is too much, or the fear of being let go is impacting you, there is an unconventional option. To share an experience of my own, in my first role I was incredibly close with my boss. When the time came to move on, I couldn’t bear the idea of him finding out from someone else that I was job-hunting. So I decided to tell him before I’d found a role. He was grateful for the extra time to find my replacement, and saw that I cared enough to let him know firsthand. It’s not a traditional way to leave a job, and isn’t for everyone. It can put a bit of pressure on finding a new role, but it allowed me freedom to talk to people openly about my next opportunity.

Hopefully something in here helps – and on the bright side, they’re obviously disappointed you’re leaving the team. Which shows what a valuable asset you are. Good luck with the job hunt.