Think about your desired goals and future at the firm beforehand.
Bad choice: "Yes, I'm not happy here, so I've been conducting an active job search for awhile."
Better choice: "I've been reviewing a couple of opportunities to learn more about my marketability, but not actively. I'd prefer to stay here and am hoping we can discuss how to improve things to our mutual satisfaction. I'm fully committed to my position here."
Best choice if accurate: "I have been approached by a couple recruiters/companies and felt that I should at least listen to them. But I'm most interested in staying here and want things to work out." Then, discuss your commitment to and interest in resolving issues, Taylor suggests.
There may be other circumstances that make the news of your job search less traumatic for your boss. If your company or department has been downsizing, or there are rumors of a merger, for instance, it may not come as a big shock. The leak about your search could lead to a discussion clarifying your level of job security, she says.