This is the thread about job searching.

I all but literally stumbled into my current job. I want to leave said job more than ever, so does anyone have any advice on looking for a new job while one is still employed? (I am conflict-avoidant in the best of circumstances, and right now do not feel comfortable about openly looking for a new job.)

Most would-be employers are cool with you wishing to remain discreet in my world.

One way to do it is to apply for everything you want online. Some applications have an option for "do not contact my current employer or some such."

If there is a phone screen, schedule it at your lunchtime or before/after hours; again, these are generally seen as reasonable requests.

For in-person interviews, just take personal time off; it's none of your employer's business what you're doing. The last time I jobhunted, what I did was to schedule a vacation and put as many interviews as I could into that week. I didn't lie about it or sneak - none of that bullshit like wearing a suit to work and then saying "Uh, I have, um, a dentist's appointment! Yeah! That's it!"

At the same time, philosophically speaking, you're not an indentured servant. You have the same right to "fire" your employer as your employer has to fire you. I personally don't get why an employer would stand in the way of someone else's happiness.

Oh, and if you have references from earlier jobs, use those. Or if you have a trusted colleague inside your current organization, who is sympathetic to your reasons for looking, you can sometimes use that person as a reference. Best to stick with prior jobs.

When asked by interviewers why you want to switch, don't neg too hard on your current employer. Not a good fit for my abilities / not what I want to be doing long-term / want to try something new / want to challenge myself more - those are all fine reasons to give. Saying stuff like "My boss is an asshole and my co-workers are a toxic stew of infighting" is nagl.