How to Be a Passive Job Seeker

How to Be a Passive Job SeekerHow to Be a Passive Job Seeker2How to Be a Passive Job SeekerThey feel proud of their companies, enjoy their work, get compensated fairly and like their colleagues, saysRobin Silverman, senior consultant, talent management withRight Management, a global leader in talent and career management workforce solutions. They have neither the time nor the desire to engage in an active job search.Still, they are aware of the fact that companies need to adapt to a rapidly changing global marketplace. Mergers, acquisitions, and layoffs continue to be part of the corporate landscape in both good times and bad. New companies emerge from an agile, collaborative field that support startups as never before. Global markets are readily accessible to all via the web, and sources of funding have multiplied. In other words, both threats and opportunities are everywhere.And those are among reasons being a passive job seeker could be a smart idea for professionals at every stag e of their career.What does a passive job seeker look like?A passive job seeker is open to an invitation to discuss a possible job opening. These opportunities- and discussions- often come from connecting or networking with other industry professionals, former employers, recruiters inside an existing company, or from individual recruiting firms.Passive job seekers accept calls and emails from recruiters and other company executives, regardless of whether or not theyre interested in a particular job, says Silverman. Even when they are happy in their current job, they may have reason to believe that big changes are ahead for their company and they do not want to possibly be laid off, says Silverman.In addition, passive job seekers could be professionals who also fall under behauptung categories, says SilvermanThey may feel their careers are topping out in their current job, and want to see how and where else they might use their strengths.They may have interests that are not being met in their current job.Or they may simply want to learn what the market is paying/providing for similar jobs so they can better negotiate with their current employers.Recruiters use social media (LinkedIn/Twitter), Google searches, company websites, and conference marketing materials to see who the leaders are within a company/industry. Competition is keen among recruiters these days, as there is a global talent shortage, particularly in certain fields like sales, engineering, and management, says Silverman. In theManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Report for Q2 2015, 22 percent of the 18,000 North American firms surveyed anticipated a need to increase their staff. Globally, the hiring outlook was positive in 40 of 42 countries.Companies are hungry for top talent, and thanks to technology, can source and engage it anywhere on the planet, says Silverman.Dos and Donts for the Passive Job SeekerIf you are a passive job seeker, there are some basic guidelines to follow. Silverman offers a few dos and donts to considerDosDO stay visible in your company/industry.DO keep your LinkedIn profile up to date.DO keep your resume current at all times.DO keep your member profile current.DO keep your network active and help others when you can.DO be professional and courteous, even when turning down an opportunity.DO feel free to recommend others (outside your own company only) who might be possible candidates for any job you decline.DontsDONT post anything about passive job hunting on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or any other social media sites. Employers frequently watch these for signs of employee disengagement, says Silverman.DONT use passive job seeking to threaten your current employer, as in Ive had other offers. They are likely to tell you to go take them and show you the door.DONT use passive job seeking as a topic of conversation in the office. It can promote disengagement and gossip, both of which can have a negative impact on business results.DONT quit and stay with your current employer. If you find that youre mora interested in passive job seeking than working, its time to move to active job-seeking status.Passive job seeking is not for everyone, but for those who are looking for unseen opportunities, it has promise, says Silverman.Readers, have you ever been a passive job seeker? Share with us in the comment section below