Ugh (job hunting question)

 I think you might be okay if you include a cover letter that explains briefly something along the lines of "My current employer does not know I am applying for this position and I would prefer that they not be contacted unless it is a necessary last step in order to be placed in the position."  Hopefully, they'd respect your wishes, but you know how small towns can be.... 

What happened to that job working with seniors in a sort of service/advocacy position?

If you get the position, they will clearly know.  I still say put in the application, explain the delicacy and that you'd like to give them enough notice, etc, but that you feel as though this would be a wonderful fit for X, Y and Z reasons.  Most companies have a check box on their application if it's ok to contact your current employer for exactly this reason.  You should have enough background in your resume that they can check everything else and once they've decided to give you an offer, you can suggest that it is ok to be contingent upon checking your current employment reference.  At THAT point, when they have an offer that you want to accept, you can tell your boss - "hey, I applied, they are going to call you.  Thanks!!"  My old company did that plenty - would do the offer contingent upon completion of the background check.

You're holding yourself back for too many "whatifs" and the reality is - DO IT!  Go for the job and deal with the people who may say something.... what are they going to say?  You were looking for another job while you still had this one?  Ummm, yes!  Most smart people do that!!!  And in all reality, for your "variety of reasons" that you want to leave this company - do any of them balance out with "I don't want to upset someone,... or have them talk about me"??  Do you care?  You want to be professional, but applying for another job doesn't mean you're not professional.

You don't have to quit your job to go looking for a new one.  Any competant business manager knows and expects that employees could be looking at any time.

I would do it.  I've applied for and interviewed for other positions at the same school I currently work for and not told my boss.  On the applications I've entered there's usually a "may we contact this employer?" after each employment record and for my current job I say "no".  Then in my cover letter I have a line that says I can provide references upon request.

I am applying for a new job tomorrow, again within the same school, and this time I had to tell my boss.  Mainly b/c it's a three hour interview, so they'd either notice me dressed REALLY nice all morning, or notice me leave at 1pm and never come back.  Also my friend in HR said I should tell him.  I HATE confrontation, I mean stuff like this literally makes me ill, so as SOON as I got off the phone scheduling the interview I went to my boss' office and told him. 

I think it depends on the position though.  It takes years to get trained to a point where someone can do my position comfortably - you have to know so much about the college, the administration...all that stuff besides the technical skill and all of our IT infrastructure on campus.  I'm only required to give a two weeks but doing just that would be REALLY bad.  Right now we have two students that will replace me if/when I go so I'm basically grooming them and everyone knows it.  I only kept my job in the first place b/c someone quit on somewhat short notice and I had worked for 4 years as a student so I knew everything already.  I'm nearly the same job I did as a freshmen just getting paid a heck of a lot more!

 The elderly service job fell through sadly (I think they hired someone internally).  I've been looking for MANY months now.  Since at least the summer.  Job market is tight, particularly the field I found myself in (admin work) the trend is hiring part timers only, I'm trying to hold out for a full time job.  Thankfully I do not need health insurance (covered through my SO) but I would like earned time off and a retirement package of sorts (if possible). I also cringe at the thought of going back to working multiple jobs.  This was the first FULL year I worked at only one job.  Prior to this I held two part time jobs (one campus job, one cashier at family restaurant job - all together between 20-30 hours a week),  and was a full time student.  Not. Fun.  :)  Oh yeah and I also had an internship (non-paying) my last semester!  There was the time I held down one full time job and three part time jobs and worked 7 days a week......so having just ONE job seems like such a luxury lol. 

I'm trying to keep it quiet b/c there is the real concern I may be let go.  I did pick up the application for the Admin Asst. position and was not recongnized phew!  Naturally they will see it on my resume where I am working, but I will have a letter or note asking they not contact my employer unless speaking to me first.  Dislike my job, but cannot afford to give them any reason to let me go sooner than I'm ready!  Miss Ari has wracked up some impressive vet bills we are paying off still, plus both of our cars needed major work this past month.  Ahhhh responsibility =P

I dislike confrontation, but when needed I have no problems with it.  My concern is the community in which I work, my boss knows many many many people and people around here are talkers and I wouldn't put it past some to breach professional bounderies PLUS on the flipside I actually do not want to cause potential clients of my employer alarm by one of their staff leaving (think small business and my leaving would go noticed).  Also moral in the company is just starting to turn in the right direction, and I think it getting noticed I was leaving would hurt the company (company is just starting to move in the right financial direction after some very very scary times, and it's not there yet - plus there's a lot of rectifying to be done with clientelle).  I do my best to maintain a positive attitude at work for both client and employee sakes.