I currently have a job but want to quietly look for another one. How can I keep my search from coming to my current admins attention?
Regrettably for job-seekers, there is no guarantee that your job search will remain secret. Word gets out – sometimes accidentally, sometimes on-purpose. However, most search committees understand the need for discretion. A well-worded statement in your cover letter to the effect that you request their discretion in at least the initial stages of the job search is appropriate and is about all you can do. Going on the market is always a bit of a gamble. It is a wise idea to have something prepared to tell your chair if he or she should suddenly hear of your search and mention it to you. Also, in most situations it will be difficult to move from one job to another without a reference from your current institution. If your chair is not a suitable prospect, look for another tenured faculty member who could speak on your behalf. The new school needs to know that your candidacy is above-board and you are not fleeing a scandal they would not like to take on.
