Tell potential employers that your job search is confidential at this point. Most will understand your position, and if they don't, you probably wouldn't like working for them. If possible, offer written recommendations from previous employers, college professors or teachers.
However, be EXTREMELY careful how you look for a new job!
Don'ts:
* Don't plaster the Internet with your resume.
You have no idea who will see it - maybe your current supervisor will find it, maybe someone from HR. If you feel you must post your resume on Monster (et al), post a "cyber-safe" version of it with your name and contact information removed. See Job-Hunt.org's article
http://www.job-hunt.org/resumecybersafe.shtml for more details
* Don't job hunt from work.
Because you are using "company assets" at work, employers have the right to monitor your Internet use, including your e-mail and Web surfing. They MAY even monitor your voicemail and phone use at work, even if you are job hunting ONLY on "personal time." Leave the office to do your hunting.
DO's:
* Network, NETWORK, N*E*T*W*O*R*K!!
- Go to industry/professional/business organization meetings that are relevant to your work. You'll learn more about the industry or profession, and you'll meet other people in similar jobs working for similar - or related - employers.
- The BEST way to meet people quickly in organizations is to volunteer to help out with something at the meeting - handing out badges at the event registration desk is my favorite. You'll see all the people and company names and, hopefully, get to meet those people.
- Contact former employers, co-workers, colleagues, roommates and classmates, school and college career centers, etc. Tell them about your pending job search. Offer to help them with anything they need professionally.
- "Networking" is a 2-way street. If you are only a "taker," your network will be pretty small. Be a "giver" too, and you'll have a great network.
- Don't drop your network when you get a new job! Stay active. Keep that network alive so that it's there for your NEXT job search.
* Use the "confidential" resume posting option where ever you post your resume.
Most job sites offer you the option of either supressing your contact information or keeping your resume out of the database searched by employers and recruiters.
See Job-Hunt's article on Protecting Your Privacy (
(http://www.job-hunt.org/privacy.shtml ) and Using Web Job Sites (
(http://www.job-hunt.org/jobsearchusing.shtml ) for more details.
* Make personal business cards to hand out at networking events or to potential employers.
You don't want someone calling and speaking to someone or leaving a message that could blow your cover, which may happen if you hand out your employer's business cards. The big office supply stores will do decent cards for you pretty cheaply that are "personal" business cards with your name, cell phone number, and independent e-mail address on it - or you can make your own on your home computer.
Your plan is excellent! It's great to have that first year of management experience on your resume. It's too bad that your supervisor is not working out. As your 12 months come to an end, see if there is an internal process for changing jobs, if you want to stay with that employer but working for a different supervisor.
Be careful, but know that millions of people have been in the same position and done fine.
Good luck!