Did You Know, Not looking for a Job Can Land You One?!
What do you visualize when you hear "job seeker?" I imagine someone who is tightening up their resume and cover letter to highlight their accomplishments to show that they are a competent and competitive applicant. This person would be applying to around 5-10 different job positions daily, in search of an opportunity that will elevate them in their career, or at least afford them with an ideal workplace and environment. While this does describe a percentage of the job search population, most job seekers are considered passive.
Passive Job Seekers are your typical professional. They go to work, develop their skill, are good at what they do, rinse, and repeat. Passive Job Seekers are not looking to change jobs but might be compelled to do so depending on the opportunity. They are very skilled in their sector, if not experts, and are considered gold mines for hiring managers and recruiters. Overall, they are more likely to have positive employment records, be satisfied, and are successful in their work.
While people leave positions and companies for various reasons, active job seekers are adamant about finding their next position. With rent, mortgage, and bill payments looming, active job seekers are more likely to apply for jobs that they are underqualified for, ultimately diluting the applicant pool for competitive vacancies. Only about 62 out of 250 applicants for a single position are qualified or licensed for the role. Therefore, hiring managers have shifted their recruitment practices to targeting passive job seekers who are open to new opportunities and possess the skills and qualifications needed to fulfill competitive positions.
Passive Job Seekers possess a great deal of skill and talent within the workforce, which is attractive to hiring managers and recruiters. By acquiring top talent in their sector, companies can maintain their competitive edge within their market. Additionally, passive job seekers tend to be generally satisfied, different from active seekers, who are often unemployed or unhappy in their current position. Passive Job Seekers hold great power in that they would be content with either staying or going, ultimately coming down to the "bells and whistles" of an opportunity. When deciding to pursue a new position, passive job seekers are not motivated by hierarchical advances. Instead, they tend to be more interested in opportunities that grant them a greater work/life balance, professional development, or other perks and benefits.
An offer extended to a passive job seeker would be marketed as a long-term opportunity, not a short-term fix. For example, a recruiter might extend an offer to a new mom that allows her flexibility to work from home several times of the month and have an employee daycare located within the building. This offer might appeal to this passive job seeker as it allows her long-term benefits: not having to take off work for a sick child and saving on morning commute time from eliminating a drop-off location. For the right qualified candidate, hiring managers are more willing to be creative and flexible in their offers.
When thinking about how to become a passive job seeker, you must make yourself available. Make sure your online professional presence is up-to-date and speaks to your knowledge base.
Linked-In was made for passive job seekers! Literally, by just updating your job positions and responsibilities, recruiters and opportunities will come to you! Even if you are not interested in learning more about a position, always respond so that you can keep the door open should an opportunity you be interested in arises. In fact, "social professional networks are the #1 source of quality hires followed by internet job boards and employee referrals," according to Linked-In.
Networking will take you far, have you ever heard of that? According to the same Linked-In survey, a referral is the #1 way that people find out about new positions. That means the famous saying of it being about who you know, is the truth. Find opportunities to meet and talk with people beyond your traditional circle. Networking online might look like joining Linked-In and Facebook groups, attending Meet-Ups in-person, or a variety of other different means. Given the recent COVID-19 quarantine, it is much easier to network while in the comfort of your own home!
Even if you are not actively looking for a new opportunity, update your online presence because your next and better opportunity might just come knocking at your door!
