Passive Job Searching – Should You Be Doing It?

There are some employees that use passive job searching, this is when people are happily employed but are still looking at job boards and what opportunities there are out there. Often these people are likely to not change job roles and they do intend to be in their position for a long time or they simply haven’t thought about changing jobs.

An active job seeker will engage with recruiters, upload their CV to job sites and apply for a variety of vacancies.

It may not seem relevant to consider yourself a job seeker if you are happy in your current role, however your role could change at any moment. No matter how happy you are at your job, it can be beneficial to become a passive job seeker.

How to be a passive job seeker

Be observant of the current job market, and aware of opportunities within your chosen industry but not actively seek new employment. Instead, use them as a reference or guideline for when you will be looking.

Social Media is a great way to be a successful passive job hunter. LinkedIn is a great tool to get you started, it should be up to date with your employment history, achievements and qualifications. Key words on your profile will prove beneficial for employers doing specific searches within the industry, key words will help your profile be more identifiable.

Following and interacting with businesses can gain you recognition. Many companies will use their own social media platforms to document and share news. If you’re looking to stay local, research what businesses you would be willing to work for in the future, connecting with them will help identify new vacancies promptly.

As your LinkedIn profile acts as an online CV, you should also ensure that you keep your physical CV up to date as that will typically be a first request from an employer. It may seem pointless to keep making amend to your CV when you are happy within your job role, but writing down your skills as you develop is more practical than just recalling all training and skills at once.

Try not to shut yourself off from opportunities just because you are content with the role you currently have. You are more than eligible to decline a recruiter discussing roles with you but still bear in mind that your current circumstances could change over time.

If you are an active or passive job seeker, at Perfect Placement we have an array of jobs waiting to be discussed with you by your local engineering recruitment specialist.