Stealth Job Hunting
Overview:
Since the days of mutual loyalty between employer and employee are long over, it’s always a good idea to stay in job-hunting mode 24/7. Sure, it’s hard to look for work when you already have work and keep a personal life going at the same time. However, those who stay in the job-hunting loop generally have an easier time of finding new jobs than those who don’t.
There are ways to keep job-hunting without offending your current employer to the point where you lose your current job.
Description:
Do not go into broadcast mode. For example, if you are currently employed, never put out on this site, Face book or any other site, “I’m job hunting.” When you create your professional profile here or anywhere and you are asked to fill in anything about what you’re seeking, what your goals are, it’s okay to type in “happily employed and seeking networking contacts in my field.” It’s perfectly reasonable to any company that just about everyone will have several online professional profiles. This is just a part of doing business today. Most employers expect employees to keep updated profiles and to be constantly connecting with colleagues for new information and resources in your field. It’s good for any employer that you are current in your field.
If you ask for job leads, be discrete in your email broadcasts and ask your contacts to check with you first before they pass your profile along to potential employers
Your network, both in person and online, is your most valuable resource and the fastest way to a great new job offer. Speak in person and email with your contacts and tell them what you do, what your experience is and what kind of work you’re seeking. Also help your contacts. Let them know you will be watching out for them as well and then make sure you do, even if it’s only to drop them an email saying, “How’s it going?” Nurture your contacts and never, ever be all take and no give or you will be dropped like a hot potato.
Grow your contacts while you are employed. You will get far more positive responses to your networking requests when you are employed than when you don’t have a job. Make it a plan that each and every time you log into one of your online profiles that you contact at least one person you don’t know. Then, rather than just “add to friends” or add to “my contacts” here on this site, make sure you send them a personal email thanking them for their response and find ways to engage them about their jobs as well as your own professional goals.
To read more about this topic see Happy About Online Networking: The Virtual-ly Simple Way to Build Professional Relationships, by Liz Ryan.
Submitted by:
Date added:
Monday, 15 Jun 2009
