I’m Employed. Why Should I Job Search?

Three years ago, I heard that all the time. These days, with the uncertainty everyone feels about their own job security, more and more people understand that they need to continually look out for their careers. But a new sentiment has emerged: “You can’t guarantee that the grass is greener on the other side of the street, so I’m staying put. The job I know right now is better than the one I don’t know anything about.”

It just goes to show that no matter the state of the economy, you can always come up with an excuse as to why you shouldn’t conduct a job search. However, those who find success and get ahead do so by actively managing their careers, regardless of the economy.

To get ahead and find success where you currently work, you have to actively manage your career by building, nurturing, and developing the right relationships with your co-workers, managers, and others outside of the company, especially if you need to bring in business to be successful. Modern business life, however, reveals that most professionals find career advancement today not by climbing the ladder, but by seeking out and making lateral or progressive moves to a new organization. That means that if you are employed, you not only have to manage your career where you currently work, but you also need to explore opportunities outside of your current employment as well. This requires you to conduct a “passive job search.”

A passive job searcher is someone who is currently employed, not regularly submitting resumes or going on interviews, but may be curious about other opportunities, especially if the right opportunity arose. Conducting a passive job search is very difficult given the constraints on your time and the fact that it’s not a top priority. After all, you’re currently employed and live a busy life.

Smart professionals can conduct a passive job search, in part, by relying on a professional recruiter who is well connected and understands their long-term career goals.

As a recruiter, I regularly meet with professionals to discuss their long-term career objectives, knowing they are not actively looking for a new position today and are not expecting me to make an introduction for them any time soon. We have an understanding, however, that if a unique opportunity arose, they would definitely explore it. Confidentially, of course.

Be cautious though. Not all recruiters share this approach. There are far too many recruiters just looking to make a placement today and, if you don’t fit what they’re looking for, they move on to the next candidate. That, I believe, is short sighted. Personally, I appreciate it when someone tells me they aren’t actively looking for a new position but would still like to meet. Usually it happens by way of referral and I consider it a great compliment.

“Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity.” Conducting a passive job search with the assistance of a professional recruiter will help you find that opportunity and success.

Jonathan Broder is the author and founder of Strategic Professional Staffing www.stratpros.com and his blog is at www.stratprose.com