When you're looking for a new job, you may think you have to take a casual leave, or pretend to be sick. But you may not always have to. There are some instances when it is perfectly acceptable to tell your boss you're job hunting.

Let's face it: it is scary lying to your boss; something you might very well have to do when you're working a lot of hours every day and when work is a huge part of your life. No one finds it easy to lie, and it doesn't exactly give the best result when one is caught lying, either.

But what you may not have considered is the situations in which it is completely okay to let your boss in on the loop: you're looking for a new job. It can be a huge burden off your shoulders, and being open and honest is always easier than not.

After all, aggressive job-hunting takes time and effort - remember when, post-graduation, looking for a job was your job?

Granted, these instances usually arise very seldom. But they exist, according to Monster, and they are these:

1. You're going to lose your job anyway

Maybe you are going to be fired over an issue. Maybe your company is downsizing and needs to lay workers off. A good opening here that will allow you to tell the boss you're job hunting is asking if you may include him on your resume as a reference. Unless he's really out for your blood, he won't have a problem and may even understand.

2. Your boss is more friend than boss

If the situation is ripe, you can even go one step further and ask if he can introduce you to his network is help you find a job. But be warned: this kind of situation requires you to have a very special relationship with the boss, so don't risk making enemies.