Need a Better Job? by Eder Holguin

www.recruiter.com

Need a

Better Job? Here’s How to Get It the Right Way.

Matthew Kosinski Anne St. Hilaire

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inside Intro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Are You a Passive Job Seeker? . . . . . . . . 5 The Curse of Comfort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 When Is It Time to Look for a New Job?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 What Steps Should I Take to Maximize My Passive Job Search? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Is Hiding My Job Search from My Current Employer Wrong?. . . . . . . . . . . 14 What Should I Look for in a New Employer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

t’s amazing how much of a difference five years can make.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that at this time in 2010, the unemployment rate in America was 9.8 percent and rising every day; today, the nation sees itself at a more comfortable 5.6 percent. But this drastic decrease does not exactly mean that those who are employed are happy to be so. In fact, 63 percent of employed citizens do not feel engaged in their roles, while 24 percent pretty much hate their jobs. If you are part of this population of employees that are unsatisfied with their current job, it may be time to consider making a career change. However, before you decide to pick up and leave for good, we’ve got some effective and easy pointers for you on how to get a better job the right way. The Recruiter.com team has come together to help you identify just what kind of candidate you are, what you need to know about finding a new job, and how you can find the best position and employer for your career. 4

Are You a Passive Job Seeker?

ccording to LinkedIn’s 2014 Talent Trends

better with their own values. Maybe they feel like

report, 75 percent of working professionals identify

they’re starting to stagnate in a role they’ve held

as “passive candidates.” But what are passive

for a long time, but they’re not quite certain that

candidates — and are you one of them?

leaving their company is the best or most desirable option.

In recruiting terms, a passive candidate is someone who currently has a job but is also open to new

If any of this sounds like you, you’re probably a

career opportunities. The passive candidate is a

passive candidate. Maybe you knew that about

candidate who is not actively seeking a new

yourself already, or maybe this is news to you.

employer, but who would be willing to consider

Whatever the case, as a passive candidate, you’re

new opportunities if they arose.

in high demand: companies see you as the most desirable type of candidate, and many recruiters

Generally, a passive candidate likes their job well

are on the prowl for you. That’s good news, but it

enough, but also feels like it’s not quite perfect.

gets even better: you can leverage this situation to

Maybe they’d prefer to work for a manager with a

your advantage by becoming what we like to call a

slightly different management style. Maybe they’d

“passive job seeker.”

like it if their employers’ values aligned a little

Like the passive candidate, the passive job seeker

is already employed, but open to new opportunities. Unlike the passive candidate, the passive job seeker doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for recruiters to come knocking. Instead, the passive job seeker puts in a little footwork, quietly looking for new opportunities while still coming to work every day (and performing to their utmost capabilities!). The passive job seeker isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite the same as the active employed job seeker, either. While both are looking for new opportunities, the passive job seeker is more deft in their touch. The active job seeker sallies forth into the market; the passive job seeker tiptoes their way to a new employer after conducting a careful and considered search.

ÂŠ2015 Recruiter.com | Need a Better Job?

The Curse of Comfort

same as being comforted by your job. Your job

thinking to yourself: “I don’t really need to know

should push you to grow and improve. That’s how

any of this stuff — I love my job!” If so, you may

you advance through the ranks: we develop our

erhaps while reading this ebook, you’re

have to ask yourself a difficult and

skills by overcoming challenges, and,

seemingly paradoxical question: “Am

ideally, our ability to overcome chal-

I too comfortable in my job?”

lenges should show our employers that we’re ready for a promotion, new

Comfort seems like a good thing,

responsibilities, new opportunities, etc.

right? You don’t want to be stressed

Your job should not just let you stag-

out or anxious every day. You want

nate (comfortably!) at the same level

to feel good at work, and comfort

for years at a time.

should be a good way to feel, right? But a lot of companies don’t work this While you don’t want to be a stress-

way. A lot of companies don’t push

stricken mess, you do want to be

their employees to grow, leaving them comfortable but stuck in the same role for what

challenged by your job, which isn’t exactly the

feels like eternity. And even if your employer does challenge you, there’s no guarantee that it will recognize your achievements and reward you accordingly. If you are too comfortable — or simply realize your achievements go unrecognized — you may want to start looking for a new job, one that will challenge you to grow, one that will help you advance your career in new and exciting ways, one that offers better opportunities for your personal and professional development. Have you been languishing in the same role since you started at the company five years ago? Maybe it’s time to look for an employer who will give you a chance to rise to a new level. Maybe it’s time to ditch your middle-management job for a shot at the executive ranks.

• Challenge yourself to grow. • Advance your career in new and exciting ways • Find opportunities for your personal and professional development. 8

So, You’re a Passive Job Seeker — Here’s What You Need to Know

When Is It Time to Look for a New Job?

f you currently have a job, you probably feel pretty lucky. Sure,

the economy is improving these days, but plenty of people are still out of work and struggling to find employment. This may make you wonder when it’s appropriate to start passively seeking new employment. Whether or not you’re open to new

How long have you been in your current position? Are you growing tired of it? Are there opportunities for career advancement at your current employer? Do your employer’s values and goals align with your own? Could you find an employer whose values and goals are a better fit for you?

opportunities is an entirely personal decision. Given that most passive job seekers enjoy their jobs to some degree, it can be especially difficult for them to really decide that jumping ship and heading for another company is the right career move. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s time for you to start quietly looking into the job market, there are some important things you should consider.

Is the corporate culture really right for you? Do you feel that your managers truly appreciate you? Do they show it? Are you rewarded and/or compensated fairly for your skills and contributions? Will this current job take you where you want to go in your career?

There’s plenty to think about when debating whether or not you want to make a change in your career, and no one can make the decision for you. However, if you feel that your current job isn’t

Are you being challenged at work? Do you feel your job encourages you to strive for your best at all times?

meeting all of your important needs and/or desires, then you may want to think about looking for a position that will. 10

What Steps Should I Take to Maximize My Passive Job Search?

Keep Your Social Media Profiles Updated

o, you’ve decided to put out your feelers and

Social recruiting is big: 93 percent of recruiters say

look for new opportunities — great! However, as a passive job seeker, you face a

they review their candidates’ social

slightly more complex job search than

profiles, and plenty of recruiters use

the average person. After all, you’re

sourcing tools that scrape social

still employed, and you probably

media sites for relevant information.

don’t want your employer to find out

If you’re in the market, you want to

that you’re thinking about leaving.

put your best foot forward.

A successful passive job seeker needs

Make sure your LinkedIn is completely

to conduct thorough research and

up-to-date, and make an effort to

make themselves available to new

share career-relevant content across

employers while still flying under their

multiple sites, like Twitter, Facebook,

current employer’s radar. This can seem like a

GitHub, and StackOverflow. This will show potential

daunting task, but these tips may help:

employers that you are passionate about and

engaged with your industry. Remember, however,

presence for yourself. Employers likely won’t see

that you don’t want your current employer to catch

this as a sign that you might leave: plenty of

wind of the fact that you’re open to leaving. Don’t

professionals maintain online portfolios as a way

publicly advertise that you’re looking for new jobs

to track their work and accomplishments. It’s

on your social media platforms — but don’t shy away

common enough that it probably won’t raise any

from connecting with people who may help you land

eyebrows while still spreading word about you to

those jobs, either.

prospective new employers.

Is Your Resume Online? It Should Be

Tap Into Your Network

Recruiters do plenty of online sourcing, and it

This goes hand in hand with keeping your social

doesn’t all take place on social media. To that end,

media profile updated. Reach out to people who

you should post your resume on job boards, where

may be valuable

recruiters may have an easier time finding it.

contacts in your passive job search.

If you’re worried that posting your resume online

Building connections

could lead to your employer finding out that you’re

with the

passively looking for a new job, you may want to

companies you’re

post your resume to job boards that will let you do

interested in will

so anonymously. You may also choose to create a

boost your

personal, professional website that hosts your

visibility. You may also want to reach out to any

resume and/or work portfolio. Think about using a

close, personal confidants whom you can trust to

site like about.me to create a professional Web

keep your job search secret. They may be able to

put you in touch with valuable contacts as well —

your job search while on the clock, and continue to

or, if these confidants work for employers you’re

perform to the best of your abilities. The benefits of

interested in, they may be able to help you

keeping your job search and your work life separate

get your foot in the door quietly.

are twofold: first, you minimize your chances of getting caught by a manager

Take Your Time

who just happens to

The passive job search is a slow burn, not a rush

walk past your desk

to the finish line. This shouldn’t be too much of a

while you’re scrolling

problem: you’re already employed, so you don’t

through a job board;

need to scramble for a paycheck. As an employed

second, if you’re a

job seeker, you have the luxury of taking your time.

valuable employee to

Use it wisely, and carefully consider all of your

the very end of your tenure, your employer will look

options, in terms of career moves, potential

fondly on you. You’ll be able to leave on good terms

employers, and your long- and short-term

and won’t burn any bridges in the process.

goals, before making any decisions. Also, try to schedule any interviews you land Remember: You Are Still Employed

outside of your normal workday. If you keep calling

Even if you are open to leaving, you still work

in sick, coming in late, or leaving early, your

for someone. Make sure your passive job search

employer will probably grow suspicious. At the

does not interfere with your duties or

very least, your manager won’t be happy that

responsibilities as an employee. Don’t conduct

you’re suddenly absent all the time.

Is Hiding My Job Search from My Current Employer Wrong?

ith all this talk about keeping secrets,

growing suspicions, and hiding your job search, you may begin to look at the concept of passive job searching as a negative thing. After all, to look at new employment while remaining dedicated to your current position is technically “hiding information” from your company and boss, and could potentially make you feel like you are doing something wrong. However, passive job seeking is not something to feel guilty about. The goal of searching out new opportunities while

staying active and meaningful in your current

simply moving on to bigger and better opportu-

role not only benefits your career and your life,

nities. There is nothing â&#x20AC;&#x153;wrongâ&#x20AC;? with that whatso-

but also shows that you care about your present

ever. More importantly, passively job searching is

employment. Instead of quitting and leaving your

doing a huge favor for yourself. Not only does it

company with an open position and no one to fill

allow you to keep your position and the financial

it, you are showing respect by remaining

support that it provides, but it also is a chance to

dedicated. You are maintaining a healthy

advance within your career and make a better life

relationship with your boss and team, and are

for yourself.

What Should I Look for in a New Employer?

them. As a passive job seeker, you must take

have the luxury of time: they can afford to

advantage of this luxury! A good way to do so

deliberately mull over their choices and really

is to figure out what you really want out of a

pursue the opportunities that most interest

new employer.

s mentioned above, passive job seekers

ÂŠ2015 Recruiter.com | Need a Better Job?

Craft an Ideal Employer Profile

What is the company culture like?

Try to create a profile of what your ideal What industry is the business in?

employer would be like. Include everything that is important to you. Some things to consider:

What is your specific job in the company like? What sort of management style do supervisors use? How many hours do you spend at the office every week? Are there any flexible work options available? What is communication like within the business? Would you work on a team? Alone? What kind of perks or benefits will the employer offer you? What are career advancement opportunities like?

ÂŠ2015 Recruiter.com | Need a Better Job?

The list can go on and on. Basically, what you

Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and

want to do is describe your dream job at your

industry-specific social networking sites are great

dream employer. Be reasonable: for example, if

ways to connect with people. Do any of the

you’re currently working in an entry-level role,

companies you’ve researched have openings to

you won’t be able to jump straight to CEO. The

which you’d like to apply? Go for it!

ideal employer profile should make sense for where you are in your career at the moment.

Evaluate All Employment Opportunities Against Your Current Situation (and Each Other)

Make a List of Employers You’d Like to Work For

Spend some time searching for and applying to

Research companies that might fit the bill of your

employment opportunities at companies that hold

ideal employer profile. See how they match up to

up according to your “ideal employer” criteria.

what you want. You may not find employers that

Compare each employment opportunity against

perfectly match your ideal criteria, but you should

the other opportunities you have. Which one(s)

be able to find some that come close – unless your

comes closest to what you’re looking for in your

expectations are totally unrealistic, that is. Reach

career? Which offers the right perks, culture,

out to contacts who work at each company to get

advancement opportunities, salary, etc.? Put

a feel for the company’s culture and office environ-

your all into landing the job (or jobs) that are

ment. If you have no contacts in the company, try

most attractive to you out of all available options.

to network your way to them!

Passive job seeking may seem like a risky situation to put yourself in, but in truth it is a great step to take in your career, especially if you are

unsatisfied or unfulfilled at work. You

than you think. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find any

will find great rewards while passively

opportunities that match what you want

job seeking if you do your research,

at first, keep looking. Remember: you

evaluate your opportunities, and utilize

have time on your side, so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

your resources. As recruiters, trust us

need to apply to any jobs out of need

when we say that you WILL find a great

or desperation. Now go out there and

new job, and it will be much easier

take the job market by storm!

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