1. Update Your Resume
You knew I was about to say this right? This is something I can’t repeat enough. I’ve said in my book Why Your Resume Isn’t Working, in my newsletter, posted tips on LinkedIn and I tell our clients this as well. Keeping your resume updated before you actually need to look for a job does the following:
- Keeps you from having to backtrack special projects you’ve worked on and/or all of your accomplishments
- Helps you stay abreast of the way resumes are structured today. Are they one page or two? Are three pages too much? What do recruiters look for? And so on
- Saves you time when you do need to start looking. Resumes are a marketing document that take a LOT of time. By keeping yours updated, all you’ll need to do is tailor it for the positions you’re seeking with some revisions here and there.
- Saves you time and money from rushing to find the right professional resume writer.
2. Keep Your Skills and Certifications Updated
You may have been on your job for years as an expert in Citrix or VMware, but what about the latest versions that your company may not be using? Suppose you’ve been a senior HR leader for 15 years, but now you’re finding companies are requesting an SPHR. If you start looking for a job when you’re out of a job, you may find it difficult to get hired by many companies because you don’t have that one skill they’re looking for, or you’re lacking the most in demand certifications.
3. Apply for jobs
I know this may sound silly. Why apply for jobs when you don’t need to? Maybe all is well right now, but you see the writing on the wall. Well, if it’s been years since you’ve had to look for a job, then you’re out of practice. Especially if you’re on the hiring side. You know what your process is like, but what about other companies? You also need to become accustomed to things like:
- The various applicant tracking systems (ATS) that companies use and how your resume needs to be structured for them
- How long it actually takes to apply to a job
- The length of time it usually takes for a response to your application
- The length of time it’s taking you to get interviews
- Differences in pay structure and benefits. You might find some that pay considerably less than you’re making, but have outstanding benefits with stock options
- What scams look like. They’re getting craftier these days
- Jobs that stay posted for eons, or the same job postings every three months. This will tell you a lot about the company, or drive you to research (as you should be doing anyway), and/or the position itself
- Reserving time just to apply. Let’s say you wait until your company announces layoffs or until your company goes through a merger and acquisition (and is about to announce layoffs soon), you still have projects you must complete, but now you have to find the time to look for another job and fit in interviews. This can become a new part-time job and now you have to rearrange your work and personal life to fit this in. Furthermore, you barely have any PTO or vacation days left to use. And you know that old saying it’s better to find a job when you already have one? That still holds true today.
4. Follow Companies You Admire
On social media, LinkedIn would be a good place to start, but other platforms too because not only can you follow what they’re working on, but you can get a sense of their company culture. You can also find out on various job search platforms (like Glassdoor) what it’s like to work at companies you’re interested in.
5. Network and Build Relationships
We have so many clients that barely have to interview for a job because they’ve built some solid relationships with clients, partners or suppliers of their own. Or, their job search is easier because prior to them ever needing to find a new role, their network already knew where they worked, their position, things they’ve worked on and the value they’ll bring to the next employer. Many recruiters reach out to professionals every day with job offers. These professionals, or what most call “passive candidates” aren’t necessarily looking for a job. Although you may not accept an offer right now, it’s still good to keep that pipeline of contacts strong for when you are ready.
6. Interview Practice or Coaching
You may use AI for interviewing candidates, but this will help you become familiar with AI tools on the opposite side – you as the candidate. So, not only to see what kinds of questions are asked today, but the best way to answer them. There are all kinds of interviews too including lunch interviews which is one that I coach on and clients have had great success in. If nothing else, you can compare other interview processes and systems to see how your own company stacks up.
Need more tips? Check out my blog on Blueprintexecutives.com