One of the most daunting and sometimes intimidating aspects of searching for a new employer, is the process involved in preparing to interview, as well as some of the unfortunate and unexpected consequence of searching for a new role. In this article, we asked our recruiters to identify the top five most critical considerations that candidates need to accomplish before they commence a new job search.
1. Conduct a Self-Evaluation: Are You Ready to Make a Career Move?
It is a big change, that can have an impact on many administrative aspects from health insurance and benefits to your income, lost vacation eligibility and other considerations. Before you begin looking for a new position or career opportunity, ask yourself if you are ready and prepared to make the move.
There is always the potential that the employer may find out that you are searching for a new career opportunity. In some cases, this can result in a professional meeting and if you are a valued team member, the possibility of a counter offer or negotiation to have you remain. However, career professionals should be financially ready for any outcome, including early dismissal.
2. Groom Your Personal Branding and Job Search Collateral
The first step is to make sure that all your job search documents and collateral are up to date and organized, before you begin talking to recruitment agencies or applying directly with companies you are interested in.
Start with your LinkedIn profile, and update it. Do you have non-confidential examples of your work or results that you have achieved, that you can add to LinkedIn? Providing measurables demonstrates the scope of your expertise and makes it easier for both recruiters and hiring officers to assess your suitability for a new role. Don’t forget to reach out to managers, stakeholders and colleagues to exchange LinkedIn recommendations. You should start doing this discreetly, up to a year before you are ready to start your job search.
Update and revise your CV and generate 2-3 different versions of a cover letter, depending on the types of roles or industries that you want to search in. Remember that customizing your cover letter with some information about the organization you are interested in, is a valuable way to stand out from other applicants. Leave space in your cover letter for one paragraph that demonstrates your knowledge about the organization.
3. Submit Your Credentials to Professional Recruitment Agencies
Career professionals are often hesitant to submit their CV and availability to recruitment agencies. However, that is the best place that you can start. Not only is your application confidential, but the assessment tests that may be administered can add to the merit of your job experience and qualifications.
Quality organizations choose recruitment agencies to assist them in procuring top talent, and there are many career opportunities for great organizations that are never advertised, because they are working with recruiters. This allows you to get an inside edge on some of the best opportunities in your local area (or internationally).
Because the recruitment agency is committed to providing results for their client (the employer) they are highly trained at matching the right applicant, and consider other factors beyond salary and performance expectations, like company culture. Think about the opportunities that a recruitment agency (or several) may be able to provide, and the advantages of having a recruiter contact you, when they have a specific role that fits your qualifications.
4. Do Not Discuss Your Intention to Search with Other Employees
An important internal shift starts to occur, when you begin to look for a new employment opportunity. Emotionally, you begin to slightly distance yourself from the level of loyalty you have demonstrated to your employer in the past. What is very important however, is to not allow that internal dialogue to impact your performance or your attitude during business hours.
One of the biggest mistakes that professionals make when searching for a new employer, is to share the fact that they are looking with a trusted colleague. It is human nature to share what someone else has told you, and if your departure will put additional strain or responsibilities on the individual, they may feel subconsciously resentful that you are leaving.
The best approach is to not share your job search activities with anyone. And if you are concerned about repercussions from your employer, discuss that you need to keep your search confidential when working with recruitment agencies.
5. Prepare for a Conversation with Your Employer
In spite of best efforts, there is a high probability that your employer may find out that you are seeking a new employment opportunity. In the best-case scenario, they may be compassionate and allow you to exit your current role professionally and provide adequate notice of departure.
This situation is ideal for the employer, because it also allows them to begin evaluating your replacement. In the most amicable departure scenarios, the exiting employee can even negotiate training or documentation of their role, in exchange for flexibility to attend interviews.
This is rare, and it depends on the relationship you have established with the employer, but it is mutually beneficial and achievable. However, if the employer and employee work together, the transition can be a smooth and positive one, and can result in a positive letter of recommendation for professionalism.
There is also the possibility that once you change roles with a new employer, that you find you miss your ‘old job’ and former organization. A positive departure can sometimes mean a return to your previous position, or a new one within the same organization. Try your best to make it a mutually positive experience.
In the worst-case scenario, depending on the terms of employment, the business can deem you to be a risk to their intellectual property, morale or other considerations that justify an early dismissal. In fact, you may be escorted out that day depending on the security protocols for the organization. Be prepared for all possible outcomes in the job search process and understand that an employer may react punitively to losing a valued high-performing employee.
If you are ready to take the next step and start exploring new career opportunities, start by creating a candidate profile with reesmarx. After you have completed your profile for our recruiters and uploaded your CV, you can proceed to browse current openings we are working on for high-growth organizations around the world. We look forward to assisting you.
