Two-thirds of us worry about the consequences of others finding out we’re looking for a new job, according to a recent study.

The global survey of 10,000 job seekers, by Indeed recruitment site found that 65% of people would not tell anyone if they were looking for a new role. Around 64% also said looking for another job made them feel anxious.

However, for the right opportunity and the right salary – everyone is permanently in the job market, says Tom Davenport, found of Talent Pool recruitment site. “Your job hunt does not need to be an MI5 operation but this doesn’t mean you should be broadcasting the fact that you are job-hunting to your colleagues,” he notes.

So how can you hunt for a new role whilst you’re working full-time?

Take part in some passive research

Davenport says it’s always worth utilizing your network for prospective roles. “Contact friends who are in companies that you’re interested in working for – or similar companies – and see them for a drink or a bite to eat after work,” he advises. “Don’t feel as though you have an explicit agenda apart from learning about the business; and see where it takes you.”

Keep an eye on the job boards

It may sound obvious but if you want to keep up to date with the jobs market, you have to keep an eye on job boards, says Davenport. “Job boards are good for getting a sense of the opportunities although they aren’t necessarily great for landing a job, simply because of the volumes of applications they attract. So see them primarily as places to research,” he notes.

Run your own personal recruitment campaign

Manage your own recruitment campaign and take the time to research the companies that you want to work for. “Companies are more likely to sit up and take notice if you target them directly with your CV explaining why you’re interested,” says Alison King, director at Bespoke HR,

“Creating a target list of companies and using LinkedIn to find the right contacts will enable you to build a network in the space you ae interested in,” she notes.

Make sure your CV and covering letter are good to go

“Having several different versions of your CV, tailored to the sorts of jobs you are applying for and a suitable covering letter to go with each could also save you time and ensure you can fire them off quickly when the right job comes up,” says King.

Make the most of job alerts

King says setting up some relevant job alerts could save you time and stress. “Try not to register your CV with a database you know your existing company actively uses for its recruitment, though,” she advises.

Make the most of Skype or Zoom

Nowadays, many companies like to carry out several job interviews for each role but taking several mornings off work in rapid succession are a no-no when you’re working full-time. So it may, says King, be worth asking if you can do the first interview by Skype or Zoom.

Maximise social media

“LinkedIn should be a key tool in your job hunt,” says King. “Market yourself effectively, by making sure that your profile is up to date, with a recent, professional photo & describe your key skill sets effectively. Remember, recruiters are searching using keywords as well as job titles & company names.” Whilst you don’t need to specify that you’re looking for work, your career history needs to be up to date and you need to be responsive when recruiters or companies get in contact, adds King.

Don’t lose sight of your current role

Finally, whilst hunting for a new job can be all consuming, it’s important not to lose sight of the one you already have. “Try not to share with your current colleagues that you are job hunting and make sure that your performance in your current role remains good,” says King. “You don’t want to compromise your current employment while you are looking for that exciting next move.”

Georgina Fuller is an award winning freelance journalist and editor.