Recent statistics from Glassdoor show that 35% of workers currently employed in the work force will search for a
new job within the current year as a result of not receiving a pay raise but,
what about the other 65%? Some may be looking for other reasons to leave, but
this does not mean that all of these employees are actively searching for new
positions or are in need of searching for a new position. Of course some
employees will be actively looking, but a large percentage of these candidates
are what recruiters will call “passive.” These types of people are not actively
searching, but are open to hearing about an opportunity if it were to come
along. The idea that the perfect job will just fall into your lap or that a
recruiter for the company of your dreams will pick you for that position is a
fun but hopeful idea.
In order to be found, you need to have a presence, and it
needs to be the best presence you can possibly have. This requires networking
and maintaining an active social presence online. Are you on LinkedIn or other
social networks? And if so, how is your work being displayed? Be sure that your
work and job information are consistent across the board as recruiters will
look in more places than just LinkedIn. Also be sure that your contact
information is up to date–this is very important if you want to be noticed. A
clear and consistent message about the work you do and the quality of your work
can help you to stand out from others in the same position.
Connect with other professionals in your industry and engage
with them. This does not mean that you are going out to ask people about jobs
within their company, but that you are able to gain and share industry
knowledge with like-minded people in your field. Contributing to groups,
meetings, etc. can absolutely make you more noticeable as you will become well-known
throughout your networks.
Being a proactive yet passive candidate means that although
you are not actively advertising that you are looking for a new job, but that
you are putting yourself out there to nurture and grow a network that you can
utilize in the future if needed. This network might just be the one to find you for the “perfect” position. You
never know when opportunity will come knocking, but taking proactive steps will
help to put you in the right position if it does.