The Best Way To Find A Job Is While You Are Still Employed
Monday, November 24th, 2008It has been said for years and years, and although many things have changed in the workplace, one thing has not: the best way to find is job is while you still have a job!
There is nothing a potential employer likes more than hearing a prospective new hire is
a) still employed, and
b) has been with that company for a decent period of time.
This shows two very important traits to the employer: responsibility and stability. That is a musical stanza to most companies. They like employees that “stick around” and have the necessary skills and personality to be able to “stick around”. Nothing says “a good risk” to the prospective employer like the person who has been with a company for awhile and is seeking a new position before leaving that company.
For you, there is nothing but good news about finding a new job while still employed: The interviewer asks you why you left your past job, and your answer is, “Oh, I haven’t, actually. I’m still with them, I just felt that it was time for me to advance my career and I’ve gone as far as I can go with my current employer.” Initiative, responsibility, drive, stability. That is what your answer shows.
You are also not in a budget crunch, trying to job hunt while feeling more pressure than you need. Your thoughts often riveted to getting a job before the budget crunching gets worse. You don’t inadvertently display desperation or frustration or stress while interviewing. You have stability, thus you show stability naturally in your mannerisms and in your attitude.
You can also take your time. You can be more selective in the interviews you will accept and the salary and positions you will accept. You may even finally have that chance to do some real position and salary negotiations as that job is not your immediate livelihood with your thoughts focused on your all-to-intense financial demands. In essence, you are not possibly jumping too quickly and taking a position beneath you or minimally for less pay than you can actually comfortably work with.
The bottom line is that you have a better playing field because you have a job already.
You may have to jockey your schedule a bit here and there. You may have to take a few vacation hours now and then. You may even have to deal with an employer who knows you are job hunting and doesn’t want to lose you (which can sometimes lead to a better position and a better paycheck itself). Yet all of these factors are so much easier to manage than being unemployed week after week. Finding yourself desperately hunting for a job, and not being able to find one rapidly enough to keep financial pressures at bay is simply not happening to you.
With the advent of online job boards, and the numerous ways that one can manage submissions for potential employment, it has become much easier to remain gainfully employed while searching for your next new position – which will be one that you can more comfortably negotiate!
