I have been applying to jobs for months. I have a new one soon.
It is insane how much potential jobs for possibly screw with your existing one.
I needed a security clearance for my new job and they called my existing job asking to confirm my employment, how long, how much I make, etc. It's a small office, everyone talks, and no one has a great delineation of roles, which meant multiple people were asked, they pushed it onto someone else, and those several people talked to everyone else including the boss, trying to figure out why I wanted a security clearance. Most realized it probably meant I was looking for work, and my boss harassed me about it.
Another job, a company that works closely with the company I had been at, I applied to some time ago reached out and I turned the down. They called my office, asked one of the guys how long I have been there, if I am a good worker, etc. I know it's illegal, but they work closely with my office and felt like they were chatting with people they knew, and what am I going to do about a job I turned down doing some minor illegal thing when looking at applicants? Nothing. That coworker asked me outright if I was looking to work for the other company and I said no, I turned it down. Had my boss found out he would have freaked out, likely fired me. I had to work hard to use my PTO without raising question prior to leaving.
It's frustrating how looking for new work can put your current role at risk.