Ultimately, you have to sacrifice personal time to search for your desired career. Just don’t give up your present position. Joy Hermann, personnel consultant at Theophany Staffing says, “It is a worthy fight to balance your commitment to your current employer while you look for another.” Jim Fergle, manager of Employment Services at workNet DuPage Career Center agrees, “A prime job candidate is a working one.”

Before seeking greener pastures beyond your workplace walls, take a step back to evaluate your current position, research other areas of your company and decide exactly what you want. Are there opportunities for someone with your skills and degree in a different department? Fergle suggests you “look for diamonds where you are first.” If you’re interested in being a writer or photographer, consider working in your company’s marketing department where you can utilize those talents.

Respect your current employer

Throughout your job search, maintain your integrity with your current employer and remain a stellar employee. Guard against poor practices that can create serious problems with your employer:

• Don’t use the office phone or company computer for your job hunt.
• Use your cell phone for emergencies only.
• Don’t share your career goals, job prospects or interview schedules with co-workers.
• Don’t talk about home businesses or part-time jobs you have.
• Save your vacation and personal time for interviews.
• When talking to prospective employers, let them know that you do not want them to contact your present employer. They do understand the need for confidentiality.

Get the most out of your time

The following 6 tips will help streamline your job search and offer quality results.

1. Use your cell phone in your car or find another quiet location during breaks and lunches. Using your lunch hour to organize a phone interview can work, but make sure you allow enough time to be in a designated place.

2. “Ask about a Skype interview if the technology is available,” Fergle says. “Many employers are now using video webcams that can be accessed from your home computer for interviews. The job candidate does not have to worry about time and transportation, especially if it is an out-of-state meeting.”

3. Set aside an hour a day to review daily email alerts from job sites such as CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed and SimplyHired. Joy Hermann advises to “stay away from the ‘apply to all’ button and target your search to jobs that best fit your skills.” Apply for a position directly at the company website. Try to locate a human resource specialist’s email address and personally send your résumé unless otherwise indicated.

4. Network with religious affiliations, industry associations, schools, previous teachers, former work colleagues and participate in the University of Phoenix Alumni Association Mentor Program. The Alumni Directory is also a great resource that allows alumni to connect with other graduates in the same industries or geographical locations, and build a foundation that promotes communication and networking. In addition to any leads, these contacts also can provide recommendations.

5. “Design a calling card,” says Fergle. “This is a business card with your name, desired position, brief qualifications summary and contact information including email and LinkedIn address to hand to the forgotten contact you bump into at the coffee shop on the way to work.” (See “How to make your business card stand out”.)

6. LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are reinventing job recruitment at a dramatic pace. According to recent research, more than 80 percent of recruiters access LinkedIn. Fergle has seen “a marked increase in recruiters using LinkedIn in the last two months.” Having a professional picture and updated profile is key so your information shows up in the right search results. Add your LinkedIn address to your personal email signature. Job seekers should research the best methods of social networking.

Prioritize with a recruiter

Finally, a trusted recruiter can offer advice while on the pathway to new employment. As Hermann advises, a recruiter can be a sounding board when you are having a tough time managing your schedule and planning interviews.

Finesse the transition

“When they tell you you’re hired, wait to notify your present employer and your co-workers until a job offer is in hand, accepted, signed and you have a start date,” says Fergle. Always maintain professionalism when giving notice even if your present employer is not receptive.

Now the moment has come to spread the exciting word and celebrate your career beginnings. Once you have settled into the new establishment, take a minute to admire your name and title on the embossed business card you just received. And remember to be grateful that you never gave up on your chosen pursuit.

Karla Sullivan has written more than 200 articles on career development for Chicago’s Examiner.com. For more articles, visit http://www.examiner.com/career-coach-in-chicago/karla-sullivan.