Working the Passive Job Search Campaign

You probably have heard that employers would rather recruit an employed candidate than an unemployed job seeker.  This may be true.  A working candidate is more attractive because they are without a shadow of why they left their last job.  The longer a candidate is unemployed, the greater the potential for a stigma. That is why many will advise that is better to find a new job while you have a job.  You don’t want to signal to your employer that you are looking for a new job.  Therefore, the best approach is the passive job search campaign.  

Here are Four Ways to Work the Passive Job Search Campaign:

Update Your Resume

When the opportunity arises, you must be ready to send your resume at a moment’s notice.  A resume is a document that you don’t want to rush and throw together in an hour. Update your resume with new jobs, accomplishments, projects, and education on a continuous basis. Then, when you need to send your resume for a particular job opportunity, you will only have to update the resume profile and core competencies section to match the theme of the target job.  Having a current resume written and ready to go is essential.

Keep Your Social Media Fresh

This is an area where many candidates fall short.  Update and polish your social media presence.  Go beyond the summary, skills, and experience areas of your profiles.  Stay active in groups.   When you see a posting that you like, “like” it.  Share appropriate career-related articles and post comments.  Focus on LinkedIn for your career, but don’t forget to keep your Facebook and Twitter accounts fresh, as well.  A fresh social media presence is necessary for a robust brand and supports your passive job search.

Network

Commit yourself to network, online and offline.  Networking is the number one way that candidates find jobs and clients.  If you are not networking, you are missing opportunities.  Attend industry, company, and community events, so you are on top of industry and local business news.  Meet new people and foster existing relationships so you can support the professional efforts of others while you also receive support for your goals.

Professional Development

If you are not enhancing your professional skills, you are standing still while others are moving up.  We all have the capacity to learn new skills, including soft skills, technical proficiency, industry intelligence, and product knowledge.  In this global economy where information is exchanged at a split second and technology is outdated in a matter of months, it is critical to develop skills and keep yourself “on top of your game.”

The Bottom Line

Even if you are very comfortable in your current job, it is wise to engage in the above four passive job search activities.  This poises you for a potential job prospect.  Additionally, networking, social media and professional development improve your ability to perform in your current job.  If you would like help with your passive job search campaign, contact me.  I would be happy to help you.