In today’s economy, it is very tough for many job candidates to land a job. For those who have a job and have decided to look elsewhere to continue their career, the search might be even tougher.
When someone is working a regular job, it is very tough to find the time to make calls and schedule interviews while dealing with their current employer. The process takes a fine-tuned methodology.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average length of time that young workers stay on one job has shrunk in half since 1983. Back then, the average was a little over four years. Now it is barely two years.
What that means is that the old-school thought that a worker should focus on the job they have is being replaced by a new school of thought -- be constantly on the hunt for the next job.
The majority of workers always have an ear or an eye out for the next job. They do that through networking.
A network is about forming a group of people who are genuinely connected. These are the people who are going to help a worker find the next job. As such, it is important to contact network connections on a daily basis.
Hiring managers state that workers are more appealing to a company when they currently have a job. Having a job in this economic environment usually means that the worker has value.
And, if the worker has value, then that translates into more money. Hiring managers who offer a job to someone who is currently working almost always offer them a higher salary than their current one. It is standard to sweeten the pot when making an offer.
Here are a few tips on how to conduct a job search while on the job.
· Do not conduct a phone interview with a potential employer while at work. The potential employer may feel the candidate does not have a sense of discretion or time management.
· If a worker has a mentor in the department, it is best to fess up and let them know about the job search. A mentor could be lobbying for someone who is getting ready to leave – and that’s not fair to the mentor.
· Don’t volunteer to take on a big project or a time-sensitive deadline if the days at the company are numbered. Like the mentor situation, it can burn a lot of bridges.
· In the new job search, focus on getting assignments that are quantifiable. People want to hire stars, so it is important to get quantifiable achievements.
· It is important to have confidence in current accomplishments. Many companies hire confidence and passion over skill. New workers can pick up specific job skills.
· Put a very positive spin on everything about the current job. Even if it has been the worst experience, talk about in a positive light. Negativity just takes someone out of contention.
· Don’t forget about references. Frequently, workers looking for a new job tend to forget about references. The same standard rules apply -- three solid dependable references not educationally based.
· Know the language of the industry being applied to. It is important to look like an insider, and language is key to pulling it off.
· Remember to use industry professional groups. While looking for a new job join as many industry associations as possible. It shows a level of commitment to the profession.
· Use social-networking sites to increase and enhance marketability. Hiring managers frequently use social sites to conduct background checks. A social site can be a tool to highlight alignment with the industry.
Presently employed workers can be some of the best and brightest catches for other companies if they market themselves correctly. Making sure it is handled in a way that does not belittle the present company is critical. What comes around goes around.
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