When is the best time to prepare for a job search?

The reality of the modern jobseeker, is that they only time they are actively engaged in searching for a job is when they need to secure a new job, or are bored and frustrated with the current job.  Is job-hunting is a reactive, episodic activity that you do when you have to?

However by having such a reactive approach to your career or securing a new job could be detrimental to your career.  To be really effective, you need to undertake job-hunting tasks now, not when an unexpected career transition such as a layoff, or firing happens, or when you reach the tipping point when you just need to change job.

To be an effective modern jobseeker, you need to change your perspective and undertake the following activities.  These include:

Online Visibility

You need to understand that being a successful job seeker is increasingly about your online visibility and presence.  This means guarding your online reputation even when not looking for a job and ensuring that you keep an eye out for your name online.  Google your name and check what comes up about you and if necessary remove all material that could make a bad impression, such as questionable comments on blogs or on Facebook, participation in seedy forums, or unflattering photographs.  Anything posted about you on the Internet is fair game, so tidy up what is online.

Plus start utilising the Internet to enhance your career prospects, so that you become someone of interest to recruiters or employers, and become a candidate before the job ever becomes a job advertisement that others can apply for. Use the Internet to enhance your profile, such as posting articles online within your area of expertise, developing an online resume, or even blogging.

Finally develop your LinkedIn profile and actively network online.  Don’t wait until you need to find a job to establish and nurture online networks through LinkedIn.  When you are not looking for a job, is the perfect time to get out there and network online, so when you do start looking, you have a strong LinkedIn presence and network in place that you can successfully utilise.

Preparation of resume

When a job seeker needs to find a job, they rush out to update their resume, understanding that without a resume, it will be impossible to find a job.  However tasks like updating a resume should be ongoing.  If you have not already done so, develop a spreadsheet or a word document and start documenting and tracking ALL accomplishments and positive feedback that you receive.  If you want to land a great job, you need to focus less on what you do, but more on what contributions you have made and what problems you have solved for your employer.  If you have recorded these, it will be very easy to update your resume, or have the information on hand so that an experienced resume writer can create a strong and compelling document.

Face-to-Face networking

The thrust of most job seekers is the job board, instead of generating a multi-faceted campaign that involves tasks such as LinkedIn or the building of face-to-face connections.  Networking should be an ongoing activity, so that you can tap into the so-called ‘hidden job’ market, which are basically those jobs and opportunities that exist but are not advertised.  Also with an established network, when the need arises you will be in the position of being able to quickly locate opportunities amongst your established network of people.