5 Reasons to Job Search Regularly

As part of healthy career growth, you should always be searching for a new job – either actively or passively. An active job hunt entails searching for exceptional opportunities in the job market, but a passive approach only demands you position your resume, profiles, and portfolios for potential new opportunities.

You Should Job Search Regularly

An estimated five applicants out of a hundred reach the face-to-face interview stage, and an average job search will take about five months in the US. Therefore, the earlier and more regularly you send your resume and cover letters, the higher your chances of getting called for an interview when you’re ready to make a change. You’ll also be more conversant on how to get past the first interview round to secure the job. In addition to increasing your chances of landing a new role when an unanticipated opportunity arises, there are other additional benefits to keeping one toe in the job market.

Here are the top 5 reasons to perform regular job searches:

1. Stay Qualified, Stay Competitive

The digital age has fierce competition in almost all industries as key players adjust their business models to fit with current and future trends.

Keeping abreast of what qualifications are sought after will let you know if you should pursue certifications or other educational opportunities. You will also be better equipped suss out which programs are actually worth the time and money. This way, you’ll stay updated instead of finding yourself suddenly outdated when you are ready to make a change. You’ll also stay tuned in to changing industry lingo and understand the progression of your industry better over the years. Finally, understanding qualification trends in your larger industry will also help you make better hires yourself as you build your own team.

2. Strategically Upgrade Your Skill-Set

Staying competitive isn’t just about what certificates you have to your name, it’s also about being able to demonstrate both an ability to learn and adapt and to perform new skills at a high level. Regular job searches will keep you in touch with what skills are most sought after that you may not currently possess. Learning new skills always enhances your ability to succeed in your career, whether you’re looking to change jobs or move into a new role within your current organization. Upgrading your skills is one of the best ways to achieve your career goals. Constant changes in most industries make jobs dynamic, so you’ll need to adapt to grow.

Many benefits come with a versatile skill-set, such as:

• Enhanced competitiveness and marketability
• Improved self-confidence
• Better career opportunities
• Greater resourcefulness
• Readiness to meet new challenges
• Enhanced job security
• Better situated to receive a promotion

With more skills to offer, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate a higher salary with potential and current employers. Furthermore, if you notice skills are in demand which your current employer isn’t aware of you can acquire and leverage those skills in your current workplace.

3. Increase Earning Potential

One of the quickest ways to increase your earning potential is to get a well-paying job. According to experts, you can receive up to a 20% increase in salary by changing jobs. At times, switching jobs may not provide a salary increment, but you’ll still enjoy various career advancement opportunities that will lead to increased earning down the line such as better benefits, a better title, more resources, or new leadership opportunities.

If you do get better offers, you can use the new rates to negotiate for a pay rise with your current employer. Or, you could settle with your current job for a sponsored training or course for a new skill that’s in demand.

4. Update Your Resume Regularly

Job searching regularly is a great way to make sure you’re regularly assessing, adjusting and improving your resume. It will also keep you in the loop as to current resume best practices. An estimated 75% of resumes don’t get past the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), so they never reach the hiring manager. An outdated resume lacking the essential format and content will not pass through to the next stage due to the absence of keywords matching the job description. Besides, a current and well-crafted resume will boost your earning potential by 7%, according to consultants.

Each time you go job hunting, your resume changes due to updates in your skills, educational status, achievements, etc. A current copy of your resume with all career breaks explained will increase your chances of getting past these bots and into the eyes of the hiring manager. With your resume always up-to-date, it’s easy to customize applications to job opportunities that match your expertise.

5. Be Ready for the Unknown

Especially in the wake of the massive market upheaval during the COVID-19 crisis, it’s never been more clear that you can never be too prepared for the unexpected. Even in normal times, corporations can behave in unexpected ways – some frequently reorganize their structures while others reduce their workforce due to a myriad of reasons, including maintaining profitability.

One day you might be one of the best employees, but the next day you can be jobless. If you’re always looking for a job, then you’ll transition without much challenge. This is because you’ll already have a current online presence, portfolio, and resume. Besides, the inside knowledge you’ll get from regular industry alerts will keep you ahead of the competition. You’ll also have a better sense of the available opportunities with matching requirements and salary expectations.

The Takeaway

When you’re always conducting a passive job search, you can quickly convert it into an active job search. There are several strategies to prepare you for a sudden job loss, including:

• Be an active social media user by creating robust profiles in several professional networking platforms, such as LinkedIn.
• Take time to build a career network since the more extensive your professional network, the more chances you have of securing employment when job searching.
• Create a list of companies you would like to work for if the vacancy of a dream job emerges. Check their websites often to see the jobs they have available and requirements for applicants.
• Sign up to receive email notifications from various job boards. You can even set preferences (such as location, salary range, and skill-sets) to ensure you only receive relevant information.
• Always be ready for an interview by keeping some of your leave time and having several outfits ready.

It always pays to be searching for a new job. This way, you’ll be up-to-date about well-paying opportunities and the education or skill requirements within your industry. Experts recommend a passive job search to stay ahead of any eventualities, even if you’re not planning to move jobs.

Not sure what you’re looking for? A meeting with a career coach can help!